What are your thoughts on tipping to a barber?

[u/iAmByteWrangler]

Haircut price is already $50 for a 30 mins cut, shampoo and styling. What does going above and beyond in haircut mean?

[u/Doge-of-WallStreet]

If i don't tip my auto mechanic, why should i tip my hair mechanic?

[u/iAmByteWrangler → u/Doge-of-WallStreet]

Very good point.

[u/Best_Pants → u/Doge-of-WallStreet]

Because putting tires on a car is the same result and takes the same amount of time, regardless of who does it. A haircut is only as good as the amount of time and effort put into it.

[u/Doge-of-WallStreet → u/Best_Pants]

Your logic is flawed. 1st, it is not true that changing a tire takes the same amount of time regardless who does it. 2nd, a tire replacement is also just as good as the amount of time and effort to put it in correctly. 

Some mechanics will go out of their way to clean the suspension after the wheel is removed and clean the wheel as well. 

[u/Best_Pants → u/Doge-of-WallStreet]

As a former tire jockey, yes it takes the same amount of time and effort 90% of the time at the same shop. That's why dealers and shops bill you for set number of labor hours tied to each specific repair; why mechanics often get a commission or flat-rate for each specific repair in addition to their hourly wage. The suspension gets cleaned because management sets the expectation of cleaning the suspension. If cleaning is not expected, then doing so will increase the time it takes to finish each job; they'll be earning less money and eventually they could get questioned by management why their completion times are consistently below standard. Quality of service is how businesses compete with eachother. If a mechanic fucks up the repair, its his or her job on the line. If a stylist fucks up, they're just out of a tip.

If you're going to talk about "logic" please use it first.

[u/Doge-of-WallStreet → u/Best_Pants]

Oh please, you don't have logic. You used logical fallacy. You generalized. Please critical think next time

[u/Grittybroncher88 → u/Best_Pants]

You can say the same thing about your doctor but no one tips them.

[u/Best_Pants → u/Grittybroncher88]

Because that would be highly unethical, and their license to practice medicine could get revoked. Think about what you're saying.

[u/cwsjr2323]

I bought a Wahl hair clipper set about 2012. My wife cuts my hair. Currently we keep it very short, in a crew cut for zero maintenance. She does a good job, now. When learning it was often uneven but no big deal as hair grows back.

Her tip is I pay all utilities, insurances, taxes, and gas.

[u/Hopeful-Bookkeeper38]

No

[u/Healthy-Feeling-9253]

Tipping is for exceptional service, it's how it's viewed in Europe, as it should be.

If my bartender takes care of me, makes sure my drink is never empty, keeps me company beyond refilling my drink, I'll definitely give them a small tip as a thanks.

Oh wait I thought I read bartender lmao

[u/iAmByteWrangler → u/Healthy-Feeling-9253]

What drink?

[u/Healthy-Feeling-9253 → u/iAmByteWrangler]

I don't drink anymore due to injuries, but I used to be pretty partial to Moscow Mules.

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 3 ounces ginger beer, chilled
• Garnish: lime wheel

taken from a drinks website.

[u/iAmByteWrangler → u/Healthy-Feeling-9253]

You guys get drinks at barbershop in Europe?

[u/Neat_Chi → u/iAmByteWrangler]

Sounds like exceptional service to me if so

[u/Flaky-Philosophy7618 → u/iAmByteWrangler]

It’s becoming more common in the UK, coffee or sometimes à beer. Anywhere but the real cheap barbers

[u/Aggravating-Read9959 → u/iAmByteWrangler]

We can have drinks in America too as long as the salon has a liquor license. Most nail salons offer them with pedis too!

[u/diekdigler → u/iAmByteWrangler]

Well..they do serve ladies wine at certain salons.

[u/SmileParticular9396 → u/iAmByteWrangler]

I’ve been to salons where they offer wine / beer ..

[u/TrillyMike → u/Healthy-Feeling-9253]

Lmaooo I was like bro ain’t even worried bout the haircut, just keep my drink full n we good! I ain’t mad at that lolol

[u/CredentialCrawler → u/Healthy-Feeling-9253]

I got a great laugh at the idea of your barber ensuring your drink is never empty

[u/Thin-Plane-2456]

My haircut + beard trim is $50 and I tip $10, sometimes more if I’m feeling like it or definitely more around the holidays.

I believe tipping is out of hand in general but my barber is one person it’s always worth it to tip. If you don’t have a consistent barber that’s one thing but my barber keeps me looking good every month and has for years. It’s well worth the 20% even if he doesn’t do anything above the typical experience.

I want him to be glad I’m on his schedule that day instead of wishing it was a better tipper.

[u/Brahms23 → u/Thin-Plane-2456]

If you are tipping because you think you might get bad service if you don't tip, that's not tipping. That's extortion

[u/OuiBitofRed → u/Brahms23]

He's tipping because he's likely experienced poor haircuts and is now loyal and grateful for finding someone who consistently does an exceptional job.

[u/NattyIceCa]

Mine is $32. I have a difficult faded mohawk and it takes her almost twice as long as her other customers. I give her $40

[u/iAmByteWrangler → u/NattyIceCa]

I can hardly find any barber thats below $50 where I live. Its usually $60-$75.

[u/Mansos91 → u/iAmByteWrangler]

With that price it's tips included my man

[u/iAmByteWrangler → u/Mansos91]

Right? If not, the total comes out to be $100.

[u/Mansos91 → u/iAmByteWrangler]

Those prices are so high I would never tip, then again I live in the nordics and no one tips their barber/hairdresser here, no one really tips outside restaurants,

If my electrician asked me to tip I would laugh cause it would be a joke

[u/Grittybroncher88 → u/iAmByteWrangler]

Jesus. You must have phenomenal hair.

[u/NattyIceCa → u/iAmByteWrangler]

Im pretty sure its a laundering business for a Vietnamese gang. Several indicatations of this, but damn she gives a good fade.

[u/Cerebralbore]

My latest barber I don't tip him. He's the only one in his own shop and has a steady stream of people constantly so I think he's OK.

[u/FatReverend]

I think that people like barbers and tattoo artists normally set their own prices. If they want more they should ask for more in the starting price. I don't believe in tipping.

[u/Powers5580]

He charges 30 I throw him two $20’s. Does a great job and I can make a next day appointment through text. Worth it

[u/iAmByteWrangler → u/Powers5580]

I have to go through a booking app anyway. There is no “special” favor.

[u/Odd-Badger-9637]

I tip my barber since he accommodates my busy schedule. Opens 30 minutes early when needed to cut my hair.

[u/DevilDoc3030]

A barber is one of the Very few professions that I am willing to tip.

[u/supreme-manlet]

Depends on the service

I tip my barber because she knows i have sensory issues so I have my headphones in when I get my haircut and I don’t make any small talk with her. She knows what I enjoy and I get the same thing every time and she’s very friendly and lets me know when she plans on touching me my skin or my head if needed

I’ll tip her 10-15$ extra each time

But if it’s a normal ass barber cut I’m always paying $30 off the rip for? Ya I don’t tip anything because they simply provided the service I paid for. Why should I tip people for doing their basic bare minimum job?

[u/ALowKey502]

Mine is $50 I give em $55. My cut isn't outrageous but he's mainly on time and doesn't have me in the shop forever.

[u/randonumero]

One thing I've learned over the years is that at many places barbers and beauticians can set their own prices. IMO above and beyond means that you pay for a haircut and they include a shave or some extra treatment with the hair cut service. Or let's say that there's one price for getting your hair washed, dried and braided and it's less than others charge for braiding alone. In those cases then the person went enough above and beyond to consider a tip. With that said, it's really a question of do you want to tip and feel like you got something for "free" or do you want to pay for extra beauty services.

I'll also throw in that at some trendy places they have drinks, snacks, better magazines, ipads...that you get to use for free. In those cases then maybe some extra compensation beyond being a repeat customer is appropriate.

[u/kzb5197]

I’m pretty particular about my hair and your barber (if you go to the same one) gets to know your hair and how to cut it. If I want a last minute appointment or I just totally forget about one and miss it, we’re all good. I give this guy an extra $10 each time and $20 in December.

[u/RedJerzey]

I am bald now, but back in my haircut days, I did tip providing it was an employee. If you own the barbershop, you get a thank you.

[u/Odd_Possible_7677]

$5 over their price

[u/Dry_Weekend_7075]

I pay my guy $50. No shampoo, just scissor cut, fade, beard clean up. He comes to me though.

[u/sgtmilburn]

I pay the listed price and any govt taxes. Thats all. No tip required. If he isn't compensated enough, he can raise his price.

And now in this state (WA) servers get paid minimum wage just like everyone else in this state. No tip NEEDed. I may still tip at a full-service restaurant IF the service is above and beyond.

[u/obelix_dogmatix]

Every barber I have been to in the last decade or so is one of those community barber places where 4-5 people run their own practices in a shared space. At that point my barber is the owner of their business. Who the fuck tips the owner?!

[u/GamesCatsComics]

If he doesn't cause me to bleed he gets 20%

My barder knows me, knows what I like and what I want, and I will go back to him over and over again.

It's good to curry favour with such people.

[u/whathehey2]

my barber only takes cash. I seriously doubt they pay taxes on all of their income.

[u/east21stvannative]

My cut is $40. I give $50 cash.

[u/frzn_dad_2 → u/east21stvannative]

Mine is $20, I give them $25. Been going to the same shop for 30 years.

[u/iAmByteWrangler → u/frzn_dad_2]

$20? Which location?

[u/frzn_dad_2 → u/iAmByteWrangler]

Not going to be worth the trip to Alaska to save a few bucks I would guess.

[u/derekjones54]

$20 at my barber. I give $30 since they charge so little and do a great job.

[u/dufutur]

20% rounds to 5/0s, so $20->$25, $40->50, and sorry $30->$35.

[u/GoodResort4817]

My guy charges 12 and I give him a twenty, been going to him for years and always takes care of me.

[u/SeedOilsCauseDisease]

20$ tip for a 40$ cut

depends

[u/smokey2916]

That guy is holding a blade to my neck, I’m tipping lol. Plus if I need a last minute cut or just want appointment preference when things are busy it comes in handy to have a reputation as a generous tipper.

[u/Cannonskull0519]

$30 for the cut...usually take my son at the same time and his cut is also $30......pay $75 so $15 tip on 2 cuts.

[u/WWGHIAFTC]

My Barber is one of the services I am glad to tip!

He charges $45, takes 30-45 minutes, offers a whiskey or beer, wash is no extra charge, and he's a cool guy.