The tipping point
Off to get my hair done tomorrow, and before I went, I thought I would check with some of the girls in the office about the conventions of tipping. While aware that tipping is common in the US, I was not sure about the UK. On previous visits to the salon I have given my hairdresser £5 as I left (in addition to the £70 bill), but thought I would make sure this was the done thing before I handed out more cash on top of the already expensive visit.
So, of the 7 people I asked, only 1 didn’t tip. But in a delightful window into the British psyche where no-one wants to cause a scene or do the wrong thing, a) no-one was sure how much they should tip, having never seen anyone else tip, b) having never seen anyone else tip, no-one was really sure that they should tip, but did anyway, just in case, and c) no-one felt they should tip having already paid the hairdresser for the services – but did anyway in order not to be rude. The only caveat to this was that you didn't tip if you didn't think there was a chance you'd go back to that salon again, in which case seeming rude wasn't a big problem. I seemed to have been the only one who had ever asked this question, as they were all fascinated as to everyone else’s responses – but unfortunately, I am really none the wiser, so I guess I will be paying my hairdresser another £5 tomorrow.
Aware that I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog – still have to write about Rome, Prague and my brief visit home! Obviously slacking off, but I am full of good intentions as is want after New Year, so will get onto it.
So, of the 7 people I asked, only 1 didn’t tip. But in a delightful window into the British psyche where no-one wants to cause a scene or do the wrong thing, a) no-one was sure how much they should tip, having never seen anyone else tip, b) having never seen anyone else tip, no-one was really sure that they should tip, but did anyway, just in case, and c) no-one felt they should tip having already paid the hairdresser for the services – but did anyway in order not to be rude. The only caveat to this was that you didn't tip if you didn't think there was a chance you'd go back to that salon again, in which case seeming rude wasn't a big problem. I seemed to have been the only one who had ever asked this question, as they were all fascinated as to everyone else’s responses – but unfortunately, I am really none the wiser, so I guess I will be paying my hairdresser another £5 tomorrow.
Aware that I have a lot of catching up to do on this blog – still have to write about Rome, Prague and my brief visit home! Obviously slacking off, but I am full of good intentions as is want after New Year, so will get onto it.
posted by Nis at 2:53 pm
2 Comments:
SOOO slacking. I keep checking back though. And if I can do it from Azerbaijan...surely, SURELY you could have kept better blog from everywhere else. Oh hang on. Everywhere else is ACTUALLY far more exciting and diverse. Ah yes. I remember it well...
Good to (finally) hear from you again.
Obviously I don't count, not being British, but I never, ever tipped a hairdresser while I was in London. Ever. And noone ever seemed to mind, or cut my ear with the scissors on the next appointment or anything ...
Kelly
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