Do you tip your barber, and how much?

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nonsequitur__@reddit

It’s been a thing to tip hairdressers and barbers for decades.

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GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit

No it hasn't?

I've never done it, I've heard of anyone doing it and I've never seen anyone doing it

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What a load of bs. You must live a very sheltered life then. Absolutely everyone in my local barbers tips the person who cuts their hair. I see it in every barbers I go in, my old man did it, I could go on.

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GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit

Can't say the same. Weird. The one I go to everyone pays on card and nobody tips.

Why would you?

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daneview@reddit

If anything, id say tipping hairdressers has died off in the last 5 years.

Ive always tipped them as they always generally recieved cash. These days I never have cash, they just hold out the machine and I tap it so no tip asked for or included

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BrexitVoter@reddit

Yeah that's what's changed it, 100% agree

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rebelallianxe@reddit

I've never seen anyone tipping when at the barber with my husband, or when me or my daughters go to hairdressers and I'm 49.

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ResponsibilityOld372@reddit

I've never done or see it done at the hairdressers. If people are doing it just stop. A woman's haircut is £60/£70 now for Christ's sakes, it's enough.

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BrexitVoter@reddit

Yeah, that's part of the difference though. It's all changed now, but most of the time - women are paying £100 for a haircut that noone notices.

Men were paying £5 to some guy where it probably cost him that much in electricity and hair product, that's the difference.

Tbh the one saying she's never seen her husband tip or anyone else there in 47 years... I mean apart from I don't know why she spends so much time in makes barbers looking if people tip before this conversation, when she thought no one did (and wouldn't have any reason to observe)

It sounds like an extremely miserly area. People tip from big cities to council estates. It has literally ALWAYS been a thing.

And then men would say to each other "oh, had your ears lowered?" Then another would say "did you do that yourself", then someone would say "I hope he tipped YOU"

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jWalwyn@reddit

You must be unaware of your bubble.

I have, and will never, tip.

Who even pays with cash these days?

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NeddTwo@reddit

I dont know of anyone who doesn't pay cash, particularly in places like barbers.

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jWalwyn@reddit

And I don't know anybody who pay's in cash. But the difference between me and you is I don't go around with anecdotal evidence as fact.

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NeddTwo@reddit

So, where is your scientific fact that no one you know pays by cash? No? Yours is anecdotal too then.

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jWalwyn@reddit

Separate_Crow_2990@reddit

We already have one. I’ve worked as a waitress and I’m currently a tour guide, I get tipped 9/10 times by British and European guests. It’s not traditional but has always been appreciated as a token of a job well done 🤷🏼‍♀️

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GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit

I don't get tipped for a job well done, so why should you?

You have an agreed hourly wage, it is not on the customer to give you extra money for a job well done. That should come from your employer.

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Separate_Crow_2990@reddit

I think people like to show gratitude to particular services performed, especially if the individual is personable and makes the experience stellar. I don’t decide who does and doesn’t get tipped, I’m just pointing out the idea of tipping isn’t novel in the UK.

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GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit

I never tip anywhere, otherwise what's the point in having an agreed price?

Ah well what you've done there is you've added in a detail to what I said, just so you could disagree with it.

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TimmyChimmie@reddit

I don't really understand your jab at me about entitlement, when all I said was I received them and they are most certainly real.

Hahah, you know what you sound like mate, a bitter, jealous and old human that clearly has no etiquette. The U.K has a tipping culture for some jobs, plain and simple. If you don't agree then that's fine, but I've seen it first hand and have received them PLENTY.

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GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit

I have etiquette, but working a job expecting tips because of your own failed business model is lacking etiquette and it is entitled.

I've conducted a survey of my own lads group chat, there are 8 of us.

I feel this depends on what it is you’re tipping for. Sure, I work in an office and get a good wage, but I don’t expect any tip.

£17 just feels like a lot in comparison, doesn’t it?

AskUK-ModTeam@reddit

Don't be a dick to each other, or other subreddits, places, or people.

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ratscabs@reddit

Bit different: I’ve always offered tradesmen hot drinks, but never tips.

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TimmyChimmie@reddit

That's cause you are already paying an arm and a leg for the works being done! you generally tip the less paid jobs..

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Superspark76@reddit

You think that, it would surprise you how little profit is in some jobs, especially smaller ones. For example, if I charged £60 to change a shower pull cord, which is pretty common, time wise it's only about 20 minutes on site and that's all you see. You don't see the time it takes to get the pull cord or travel to the job. Parts are cheap, I'll say £20 which allows for things like a new back box, that leaves £40, £5 is knocked off for fuel, £5 for insurance and membership fees, £20 in taxes/vat, not counting for tool wear here.

With that job there is £10 an hour profit, some money needs to be put aside for holiday and sick pay, so the profit becomes closer to £8, with travelling between jobs it may be possible to do 6 jobs like this in a day, that's £48 clear in hand. Yes this is a slight exaggeration in some areas but not by a lot.

From your side all you see is the total price you pay. You can also see why it's hard to get someone for a small job and why it can be so expensive.

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TimmyChimmie@reddit

not to sound like a total see you next Tuesday, but I do kind of know all of this, "In theory" stuff. However can you explain how I was quoted £15k for a bathroom renovation (1.40 x 2) when a family friend done it for around £7k with better specs (His labour was 3k btw and was here for 1 week, about 40 hours. The price is MASSIVELY over inflated for trade jobs and that's even if you buy your own materials.

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Superspark76@reddit

That does sound a lot like an FU price, basically the one you give when you don't want the job

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That seems a sensible thing to do - I’d always offer a tradie a cup of tea! Not someone I’d want to annoy if they were fixing my pipes or wires…

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Superspark76@reddit

They also enjoy biscuits, always individually wrapped ones or a new packet.

We have worked in some of the most disgusting houses you have ever seen, hence the wrapped biscuits, I know I soon learned not to accept anything until I saw the kitchen very quickly!! Was near sick on one job when I saw the dirt in a mug after drinking half of it, more so when I went to put the mug into the kitchen, looking at the dust on the mouse droppings, next to the kettle!! even the mice abandoned it a while ago.

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Separate_Crow_2990@reddit

Oh my god, boak

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Superspark76@reddit

There is a lot more people living like that than you think. I had a customer call an old boss because I didn't hoover up after I had drilled a hole. Had to explain to my boss I couldn't, the hoover wouldn't fit around the multiple dog sh*ts everywhere.

I've been called out to a job because the well below a floor socket eventually filled up with dog piss tripping the electric.

One because the home owner misjudged where he was pissing in his pee corner (yip he had a corner he would ouss in) while drunk and he pissed on the socket. (I walked away and refused that one)

Did have one that was crawling with wasps inside the walls, every outlet box was full of them, eventually causing a short.

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beggingforfootnotes@reddit

Getting tipped a lot of the time isn’t the same as having a tipping culture

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Cecivivia@reddit

Tip is very much optional here even though most still do it, however it's never as extreme as American culture, I'd never tip 50 quid on a 250 bill for example

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FreddiesNightmare65@reddit

I was a waitress in the 70's. Almost everyone tipped back then, so it's not a new thing.

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ImDankest@reddit

Yeah but the cost of living was fine back then and things were cheaper so people probably didn't mind tipping a little

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FreddiesNightmare65@reddit

Tipping has always existed but we tip because the service was good or excellent.

Everyone should tip, but it should be on the person who receives the service, if they do tip or not.

Tipping culture is awful when like in america they expect or put the tip on the bill.

At £17 for a haircut and theyve done a good job then, they deserve a £3 tip. Its literally £3.

If I have a lovely meal and waiter or waitress did their job then I have absolutely 0 problems giving them a £10 tip.

Or a taxi driver if its over a certain amount ill round it up to the nearest 5 or 10.

If im at my barbers and we have a good laugh and I get my hair cut how I want it. They get it rounded up for the tip.

Tipping is a way to appreciate they fine work.

Presuming it's non-UK tourists staying at places like that, or people with more money than sense.

I don't tip. In my experience, in hospitality, tips went into a communal jar and the staff rarely saw the benefit as, lets say, £100 between all the kitchen and front of house staff wasn't enough to make an impact.

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twirling_daemon@reddit

Never seen family naans! How big are they?

Standard are a decent size by me so can imagine a family one is easily enough to share?

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pingusaysnoot@reddit

Depends on the restaurant, it can be as long as your arm up to your wrist in some places!

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ExtravagentLasagne@reddit

Brother works at the Ritz, haven't even thought to ask him what the tips are, but I bet they are mega!

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LungHeadZ@reddit

High end hotel in London....that's your clue mate. The rich can afford to tip. Us common folk can hardly justify the price of a scone at places like that. Let alone tip the doorman!

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AbbreviationsCold161@reddit

Always been tipping in the UK, but thankfully not to the extent that it prevails in thr US. I tip my hairdresser and when it feels appropriate others but will generally always in a restaurant e.g. 10% ish.

But I don't like those thst now throw say a 15% tip on as standard - it feels overly assumptive.

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xxxxsteven@reddit

They can set their own prices. Therefore don't need a tip

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ToughFruit1720@reddit

I just round up to the nearest pound and call it a day

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Tawoooo@reddit

i think there's a difference between tipping and daying keep the change. imo the resonable options are giving a £20 note and saying keep the change or paying exactly £17. askinh for the £3 change just feels awkward to me, but i guess the barber could just charge £20 if they wanted to avoid awkwardness

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Purple-Oil-9985@reddit

I don’t tip anymore. I used to tip my hairdresser when the service I received was £60. (Hair extension installation due to alopecia). It went to £70 in 2022, £80 in 2023 etc etc. It’s now over £100. I get this done every month. She cites an increase in her product costs as a reason for increasing her prices, but she doesn’t actually provide a product to me so I don’t see why I have to pick up the bill for her shampoo or hair dye stockist charging her more.

She was the only person I ever used to tip ( a very generous tip!). I don’t tip anyone anymore lol.

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Intrepid-Tourist3290@reddit

We always have, just for actual special service. It was never usually expected but the culture has always been here in a totally different form than the US.

'keep the change mate' has been uttered by many taxi goer, drinks buyer etc.

At least, that's 40 years of my experience anyway

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TheeHappyDude@reddit

We tip barbers and bar staff.

(And possibly other things that begin with bar???)

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Sushiki@reddit

Tipping is a thing in uk and eu, we always had.

Don't think Americas abomination of tipping is "tipping culture", as has become clear it is just another thing the yanks keep not understanding and ruining.

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NeddTwo@reddit

There has always been tipping in the UK. Do you think it's suddenly arrived from some far off land?

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GarethGore@reddit

Well done. Saved me typing it all out, it's a silly creeping American tradition. Except for very unusual circumstances I ain't tipping and idk why others do

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sr-zeus@reddit

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SeoulGalmegi@reddit

No tipping is moronic.

Mine is £34, I give him £40 and say keep the change.

£16 for my head shave, hot towel, eyebrow trim, ears and nose waxed

Normally give them £2 danger money for the waxing part…

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clbbcrg@reddit

No, tipping is for exceptional service in UK. They charge enough as it is, if they want more they can put their price up.

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EastLepe@reddit

Barbers are one of a small group (also including taxis and waiters) that, for whatever reason, are traditionally tipped in the UK. It is not an Americanism in this context.

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Danmoz81@reddit

for whatever reason

Barbers and taxi drivers are self employed.

Tipping waiters is probably a holdover from pre NMW

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EastLepe@reddit

As are most tradespeople, barristers, many delivery drivers, etc etc. Not sure that's a sufficient condition.

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Danmoz81@reddit

Tradespeople gets tips too.

clbbcrg@reddit

We are more aligned with America than any of those countries.. English language being just one

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SPUDniiik@reddit

We're not in the US. You don't need to tip. Unless the geezer has given you the best trim of your life, or squeezed you in at the last second, there is never a need to tip.

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Danmoz81@reddit

You don't need to tip

You know the guy at the corner shops who says you can pay him next time when you forget your card and who lets you in for that late-night bottle of milk when they're supposed to be closed? He's got a charity box on his till instead of a tip jar.

Not saying your barber isn't personal. Just saying that doesn't rule out the checkout guy or the doctor.

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Danmoz81@reddit

Right, but the guy at the corner shop owns it, the staff at your local Tesco aren't doing any of that for you. This is what "support your local business" looks like. These are independant business owners whose survival depends on their locals. Of course I'm more likely to tell the the guy in the corner shop to keep the change than the cashier at Tesco.

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Qwsdxcbjking@reddit

Yep, my barber has been cutting my hair since I was about 12. He knows my family, I know his, we're loosely aware of what's going on in each other's lives and he always makes a point of remembering and asking about stuff the next time I see him, which is impressive because he's a massive cokehead. He's more of a distant mate than just some random bloke I'm paying for a service, so I give him a little tip and in return I don't have to carry around change. If I had to go to someone else on a one off then I probably wouldn't tip.

It used to be fairly common to tip your delivery guy back in the day at xmas.

It was mostly chocolate and wine though, and once a year.

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zipitdirtbag@reddit

Services which involve people having to touch your body merit a tip.

Doctors or health professionals cannot be tipped as that's unethical.

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Raiken201@reddit

It's not really a case of "deserving" or not, it's about the context of social interaction/payment. If you're primarily paying for the service/experience than a product you might be more likely to tip.

Like you might tell a taxi driver to keep the change but you wouldn't tip a pilot, 'cos you paid for your flight 6 weeks prior and they're behind a locked door. Also you're largely paying for the product (the plane, fuel etc.), with the service being a relatively small cost.

when it comes to big corporations

Redditors hate all businesses

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Redditvillier@reddit

Icl to you, I go to a hairdressers to get mine done and £20 is CHEAP. But I'm assuming barbers are cheaper than hairdressers for whatever reason even though they offer the same service

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scarletcampion@reddit

Absolutely this. I pay for parts and labour, so why would I pay extra? If I'm not happy with the service, I find another barber. The reward of doing an adequate job is a repeat customer.

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darbayit@reddit

Price is £23, I round up to £25.

You can’t compare a barber to tipping someone at the checkout. I see my barber every 4 weeks and we have a nice chat about cooking and football. They always do a great job on my hair. At Christmas they offer port or Baileys, at Easter they get the creme eggs out.

Tip your barbers.

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Tricky_Tumbleweed_71@reddit

I don’t bother the haircut is £23 that’s expensive enough for what it is. The fact I go back every 2 weeks is enough of a gesture. Normally it’s only right to tip if you think the service you received was worth more than what you paid, at least that’s the way I see it.

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6Bipty@reddit

Didn’t expect so much backlash against tipping a barber. Tipping culture is absurd where it’s almost mandatory or where a company expects tips to make up a shortfall in salary. I’m in the chair for the best part of an hour, look good when I leave and get a tea, coffee or beer. I can’t really think of many other services where a tip is warranted more than that.

Using your example. If it’s £17, I’d normally just pay the £17, and occasionally give £20 and let them keep the change, depending on if I’m in a good mood, it’s just before a holiday (me and my barber are Muslim so if it’s just before Eid I’ll give a tip), or if he’s been kind enough to stay open towards the end of the opening hours to give me my haircut, then I’ll give a little more out of appreciation.

There have been one or two instances where I didn’t have the full amount, out by 2-3 pounds without realising and he’d let it go (I always bring the difference next time regardless)

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britishfootball@reddit

As a Brit’ living overseas, I didn’t know tipping was a thing in the UK. If it is, yet again another sign of the US influencing where it doesn’t need to.

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Born_Price6063@reddit

I pay 15 for the cut, if they do a good job I leave them 20.

2004ClubChampion@reddit

£4

Costs £16

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thegentleduck@reddit

Several people commenting on this post have mentioned taxi drivers as a profession you should tip.

Tbh, I think tipping a taxi driver makes more sense than a barber. Meter rates are decided by the local council, so they're often not deciding what they charge.

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Tasty-Explanation503@reddit

Mines done exactly the same as yours, proper cheeky.

Don't need the extra £1 considering it's all cash and the other money funneling through the place aswell.

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JennyW93@reddit

Guys, do barbers cut women’s hair? Because my hairdresser charges £52 for a wash and cut that takes genuinely less than 20 minutes.

SpamSpaam@reddit

Sick of this yank nonsense

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throwawayhunny619@reddit

My haircut is £30 with a beard trim I genuinely feel bad for not tipping but damn a couple of quid is disrespectful and I am not tipping £5 every time so instead I give them the £30 thank them for the haircut and hope if they want extra they pocket a haircut here and there as they have an old style till and I wouldn’t put it past them great place though and have been going for at least 8 years now

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NotInferno045@reddit

Mine is £18, he spends an hour on it, good chat, I don’t care giving him that extra £2 on a £20 note.

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ApprehensiveRead4037@reddit

It used to be 12 quid so I'd just tell them to keep the change giving them 15. They raised the price to 15 so now no tip. 15 is more than enough £60 per hr to operate some scissors!

They'd be done in 10 mins max if they didn't waffle

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Future_Pianist9570@reddit

I used to round it up when it was less than £15 but since price increases I’ve stopped

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g4henderson@reddit

I only go like every 3 months to a nice barber, it's 25 (beard included) and I just give 30

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Impressionsoflakes@reddit

It's normal to tip a barber if you've had a good haircut. Back when I had less money, I asked a hairdresser acquaintance if it was OK to tip just £1 as that felt really cheapskate but it was all I could afford. She said a pound would still be very much appreciated.

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No-Phrase-97@reddit

My barbers was £16 in 2020 and its now £28. I used to slip the occassional tip as they provided beers and a genuine laugh every time I went. Since the price increased I stopped tipping but carried on using the business, out of loyalty more than anything. I stopped going recently when the guy who operated one of the chairs let slip he makes £50k+ a year and it made me realise there's something fundamentally wrong with the way our services economy is heading. I dont sneer at hard work (I grafted on building sites for years), and I dont sneer at folk earning a decent living. However, I couldn't help but feel that I was the one who was getting mugged off.

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Nah

Lets not normalise american tipping culture for everything. 17 quid for a haircut is fine.

tipping is for waiters and delivery drivers. everything else... nah yer wage or yer payment is plenty.

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CuttinThruTheCRAP@reddit

I often offer to sweep up for her, but she usually declines the offer - Such is the generosity of my lovely wife!

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Theddt2005@reddit

Just say “get yourself a drink on me” at least in the place I work about 1 out of 20 do that and buy a shot or half a pint about £3

StereotypicallBarbie@reddit

I’ve always tipped my hairdresser..

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MzeeMesai@reddit

Not barber but the woman and her four colleagues who twist my hair, I always tip. Pay 45 I tip 15 each time

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CarDry6754@reddit

Never heard of tipping a hairdresser/barber before in the UK

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zipitdirtbag@reddit

Have you ever left your house?

Scotland. You definitely tip barbers, taxi drivers, takeaway delivery drivers. Staff at a restaurant - only if service has been good (it normally is). No one else.

Barbers at £17 would get £20. They know the game. If they were to charge £20 no one is going to give £25 which is the next logical step.

Delivery drivers for food get around £2 if you're going through Deliveroo or Just Eat as you already get charged delivery on top most times.

Anyone who doesn't tip those folk is a prick to be honest. Round it up, and if in doubt add more.

Consistent_Pay5371@reddit

Settle down son

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Xaphios@reddit

Mine stopped taking cash in covid. Each of them working there has their own app for contactless so I pay my barber rather than the shop, gonna guess that keeps then under the VAT threshold and so on.

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Chippiewall@reddit

It mostly depends on if they just rent a chair or work for the business.

Traditionally when you rented a chair you'd also get to use a shared card machine - but the capital and infrastructure requirements for taking card payments is trivial these days so its easier for everyone to have their own now and avoid having to get their money back from the business.

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Xaphios@reddit

Yeah they're all self employed in there so it makes sense for them to organise it all separately.

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SnooMacarons4225@reddit

Mine has a machine but always broken, we all know what that means, I’m already giving them at least a 20% tip at his majesty’s expense, I’m not going to tip further

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No_Atmosphere8146@reddit

This was the most annoying thing when my barber went from £12 to £14. Handing over £15 and saying "keep the change" is fine when it's £12, but feels cheap when it's £14, but obviously I can't jump to £20 because that's mental, so here we are.

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Upper-Cut-2651@reddit

Ha, glad it's not just me. Used to be £17 so most would give them £20, but they upped it to £19 and a £1 tip seemed cheap so now I don't give them any.

SometimesaGirl-@reddit

Thats what I do with mine.

He cgarges 15 but I alwats pay the 20.

Hes a good bloke. The only UK non Turkish barber around for miles. He almost went bust during Covid.

Im happy to pass on a little extra to keep him in business.

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Critical_C0conut@reddit

Me too

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random_name3938472@reddit

If only I could tip myself 😂

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random_name3938472@reddit

I mean I buzz my own hair, not that I'm a barber and noone tips me

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PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit

I don't agree with expected or mandatory tipping.

But I do tip my barber a few bob because he's cheap, does a very good job, and holds a conversation really well. I'm happy to support local businesses by paying a little extra for service which goes above the norm.

And no, it's not a Turkish barber shop allegedly used as a front for money laundering. The guy is Scottish and has been doing it for decades. He even gives free haircuts to homeless people.

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Emotional_Pick9327@reddit

My Barber use to charge £8 I told him keep the £2.change , then it went to £9 keep the £1 change, Now he charges £10 no change for him Small town east coast of England

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JapaneseShibaInu@reddit

I do at Christmas but that’s about it

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Early_System4734@reddit

Change to a barber who charges £18.50 then say keep the change

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Ok_Health_9004@reddit

£20 is reasonable for a haircut, I pay £35 because of where I live, unfortunately.

Just tip the £3 imo

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theNixher@reddit

I give a tip to anyone doing any low paid job that goes the extra mile. Barbering is not a low paid job. It's not a high paying one either, but that's not the point.

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Waste_Boss_4850@reddit

Pay the bill, take your change, wish each other good day walk away.

Im seeing the USA culture of tipping being expected creeping in more and more in the uk.

Ive travelled extensively in the USA and its now completely out of hand, like 20% plus tips being demanded. We have a minimum wage over here thats reasonable (ish)

Resist it.

I still tip, in cash, at restaurants if the service was good.

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Pizzagoessplat@reddit

I've never in my life tipped for hair cut and I'm forty-three.

I have no intention of starting either

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6c61@reddit

I always give them back the change as a tip. I can't be arsed with coins in my pockets when everywhere else takes cards. The only time I get cash out is to have a haircut.

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Affectionate_Comb_78@reddit

Why do you tip at all?

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tiankai@reddit

I used to tip because barbers are a more personal service that can either fuck up badly or do a great job. But this was when having a haircut costed £10.

For some reason they know cost £20-£25 and that’s plenty already so I don’t do it anymore

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FatDon222@reddit

£32 where I am now and with how quickly grows out I need it doing every 3 weeks.

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tiankai@reddit

Same, I do skin fades on the side and used to go every 2 weeks, obviously impossible now.. I do some light trimming myself and then go every 6 weeks roughly now since the price is crazy.

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glasgowgeg@reddit

more personal service that can either fuck up badly or do a great job

They either cut your hair how you ask, or they don't.

Why tip for not fucking up?

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SirDooble@reddit

The idea of tipping because they can either do a good job or a bad job makes so little sense to me. Likewise for tipping as a thanks.

Jokersxi@reddit

Jeez. I pay £10 per child and she comes to my house so I don't have to mess around going out....no tip it's the UK

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Redline_independent@reddit

No, never have.

Scarboroughwarning@reddit

It's expensive enough.

I periodically have a wash, dye and cut at a local unisex hairdresser. They charge £40-50, I add an extra £10.

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NoGloryForEngland@reddit

It's £17 for me, I always tip a fiver over, it might seem too much for others but that's not my concern.

It's my preference to do so because I have a good relationship with the dude, he looks after me and gives me good advice.

for a £17 cut I'd just be giving them a 20. a £3 tip doesn't feel too much at all.

To actually answer your question I just round up. My haircut seems to vary in price depending on how they're feeling but if it's £12 they get £15, if it takes longer and they charge £16 then I round up to 20.

Honestly if you feel £3 is too much on a £17 cut then don't tip at all

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Grouchy_Conclusion45@reddit

Honestly, spend some time to learn to do it yourself.

Hair grows back and you'll only make a cunt of a it a few times before getting it right

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SnooEpiphanies8006@reddit

If it were £17 I'd just give them 20 and say keep it

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Separate_Crow_2990@reddit

Surely just giving him a £20 note and saying, “no worries mate” and leaving is appropriate and common sense? Having him bring back a pound change is a bit silly.

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glasgowgeg@reddit

Would you say the same about a £19 transaction at Tesco?

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Separate_Crow_2990@reddit

But it isn’t a £19 transaction at Tesco. A cashier cannot keep a tip, they also spend relatively little time with their customer - a waiter, hairdresser, nail technician, etc are materially different types of service providers.

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glasgowgeg@reddit

A cashier cannot keep a tip,

Your logic was that it would be silly to have them bring you £1 change, you're shifting goalposts now.

But sure, whatever. So you wouldn't tip a delivery driver, since they only interact with you for a few seconds? You wouldn't tip a barman or go "and one for yourself" for pouring a drink?

Separate_Crow_2990@reddit

Yeah, thats tipping. OP obviously wants to tip, I’m just saying the most common sense way to do that is paying £20. Like it or not tipping is getting more common in the UK, I’m just saying common sense is not quibbling over a quid if you’re going to tip in the first place.

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SeoulGalmegi@reddit

I wouldn't call it 'quibbling'. I'd quite happily say 'just give me a pound back' if I felt a two quid tip was appropriate. Don't see anything wrong with that.

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Separate_Crow_2990@reddit

The OP obvs feels a bit awkward about it or the question wouldn’t be asked. I’d feel a bit funny asking for a pound back if the difference was between tipping £2 or £3. Maybe a regional difference, I live in the Scottish Central belt, and I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t tip their hairdresser or barber.

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SeoulGalmegi@reddit

I mean, that's fine if you're happy with that, but more people doing that means the expectations for tips becomes greater and it is more socially awkward to ask for change back or even not tip, enabling behavior as mentioned in another comment such as acting like they don't have change or it's a hassle to.

Purple-Sound-4470@reddit

Pay 19, tip 10, never an issue coming exactly when I want

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Accurate_Prune5743@reddit

I tip my hairdresser £5 on top of the charged £60. And my nail person £3 on top of the £27.

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LDodge7047@reddit

My barber charges £15. I give him £20. If he raised his prices to £18 I would still give £20.

Saves the hassle with change and he has been cutting my hair for the past 10 years. He is a great guy so more than happy to pay him more

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Elvin_Atombender@reddit

I always tipped my barbers, when I had hair, £2 is plenty

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glasgowgeg@reddit

A barber either cuts your hair how you ask or they don't.

What are they doing to merit a tip?

I don't tip people for doing their job as expected.

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Real-Razz@reddit

I used to do "keep the change". Tipping barbers and hairdressers with "the change" has been a thing since at least the 60s.

(Source: my mother was a hairdresser)

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WhatsThePlanPhil95@reddit

My haircut is £15, I tip £3, or £2 if I'm broke

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likeyournamebutworse@reddit

I pay £30 for me and my two lads to get our haircut. I don't tip, but if they put the price up I wouldn't complain.

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v2marshall@reddit

Mine is £19 I’ll say keep the change but if it’s not perfect I’ll take the £1

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EnterAUsernamePlease@reddit

my hair cut costs £17. I always just give him a 20 note. I get my hair cut barely once a month. I know they're struggling (particularly with the number of barbers opening up these days), and I like the guy. That £3 can mean a lot to a self employed person.

Yeah that’s not normal.

I go to a local barbers and they cost £16 for 30 mins.

If I go to the owner then he obsesses over little bits and takes the full 30 mins.

If I go to another guy then it’s a 12 minute cut.

It’s the same cut. I don’t care he’s shaved 0.5mm of a few hairs to be a perfectionist.

20 minutes sounds completely reasonable for a regular haircut on a guy.

I can shave my own head with a 0 all over in about 6 or 7 minutes with standard clippers; a professional who can actually see what they're doing could do that in 2 or 3 minutes.

Last I had a haircut it was £9 and I let them keep the change from a tenner. That shop closed, I started to cut my hair at home and have been doing so ever since.

Mental costing £17 for a hair cut, I definitely wouldn't tip at that price.

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SnooDonuts6494@reddit

Never have.

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Boogaaa@reddit

I used to tip my previous barber in a different city because he was just a super nice guy and we got on really well. It was the same as you - £17 for the cut, but I'd alway just tell him to keep the change.

Always. A cut costs £17.50 (£15 haircut + £2.50 appointment fee)

i get a head and beard 1 grade for about 11quid i give him 15 and call it even

If a Barber is self-employed, they set their own prices. They don't need tips to compensate for "The Man" not paying them enough.

My barber charges £17 but I always hand over a score because it’s well deserved IMO. These guys spend years refining their craft, and every time you sit in that chair you’re putting your trust in them to get it right. Even if it only takes 20 minutes, ur paying for more than just YOUR time in the chair, ur paying for the years it took them to get that good.

I don’t get why people in these comments are acting like a £2-£3 tip is madness 😂 It’s no different to offering a tradie a cuppa or some food after a good job, or tipping a waiter or waitress at a restaurant. I understand if money’s tight, but why is it such a problem for someone to give a little extra for good service? Too many people act like kindness is a weakness and it's boring.

Always tip my barber, that’s the only service I will tip.

It’s just generally a nice experience and I think a good barber is worth their weight in gold.

I have a similar cost and give £2.00 but take them a bottle of wine at Christmas.

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oscarx-ray@reddit

Pay with card, pay the advertised price. Wish them a good day and carry on with mine.

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Doomergeneration@reddit (OP)

It’s cash only

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ClassicPart@reddit

…

Pay with ~~card~~ cash, pay the advertised price. Wish them a good day and carry on with mine.

Sure, they can do both, but it's very much more common to take payment in cash to evade taxes than to do money laundering. The money without paper trail is literally what you want to swap for money with a paper trail when you do money laundering.

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Comfortable_Tank1771@reddit

Nop.

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FitSolution2882@reddit

Then there's even less reason to do so.

I've always been paid through PAYE so why should someone else be given the opportunity to avoid that?

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4kreso@reddit

Exactly.

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StillJustJones@reddit

For me it is dependent on the business model.

If it’s a barber working a chair for a business/another barber and they’ve done a good job I’ll drop them a tip.

If it’s a business owner/one man band type barber I may not tip as they’re running their own business so I feel should factor in running costs and their overheads and won’t be reliant on tips to survive.

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northerncodemky@reddit

Mine is £13. I’ve started tipping £7 (keep the change on a £20) if I get the good guy, otherwise just £2 (call it £15) if I get any of the rest

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smashers090@reddit

Pay cash, wait for and be handed the change, then choose £0-2 to hand back or place on the counter. Flash a polite smile and then leave swiftly before it becomes awkward.

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WittySatisfaction958@reddit

My Wife cuts my hair now but where I used to go it was £8 so told him keep the change, it moved to £9 keep the change, then a tenner.

Always tip someone who messes with your hair or your food - in my opinion

Mine costs £24 for hair, beard and a lovely face/knack massage thing. I always pay him £30

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Best-Hovercraft-5494@reddit

What does he want a tip for?

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anotherbozo@reddit

Tip the barber? Why?

You're paying them what they asked.

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235iguy@reddit

At £17 I'd be wanting change!

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BackgroundChemist@reddit

I used to tip but my barber raised his prices and switched to card. I think its card only too. If it was cash still I might tip but now its just a 'that' be xx quid please, BackgroundChemist' and the phone is offered up for a card tap. I never get 'disappointed' vibes from him, and I haven't heard other customers tipping. If he's happy, I'm happy.

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AxisOfAverage@reddit

My haircut is £13 and my barber does eyebrows and beard as well.

Some_Artichoke_8148@reddit

I do. I get charged £8 for a hair cut but I always pay £10. Because she’s nice and she lets me have a pint while I sit there and have a hair cut.

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Ballbag94@reddit

My barber sets his own prices, if he feels he isn't getting paid enough he can fix that

I did tip him when he squeezed me in as a favour pre-christmas though

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Ordinary_Dog_99@reddit

Because I hate Karma. Honestly I tip the guy who takes a straight razor to my head. The guy is dealing with 100 domes every day, it all gets a bit samey. So I want to be that customer he makes sure he doesn't lose.

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ItsIllak@reddit

A while ago my haircut went from being £15 to £20. (e.g. they charged £12, up to £15 and got £15, then it went to something like £17 so I adjusted up.

Absolutely not.

The guy charges £18 and it takes him 10 minutes.

Yes I appreciate he has expenses but at over £100 an hour he can tip himself

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Present_Air_7694@reddit

Why on earth would you tip? What are you meant to do, sit in a chair there and do it yourself? You're paying for the work!

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I shave my own head so no need for a barber. If It cost 17 I would pay 20 and let them keep the change. Barbers don't earn a massive amount of money and if they're reasonably priced then I don't miss a couple of quid.

And tbh, not to be rude but imo asking for the 3 quid back is just petty. Tipping £1 is not worth it. If you're going to tip make it worthwhile.

I always tip when I can, to show thanks for a decent service, and a little bit of goodwill permeates through the community. It makes people feel valued and that their service is appreciated. Spread the good karma to recieve good karma.

If a barber offers grooming advice, it's a tip from me as they are offering additional service.

His prices are like 18 - 20 depending on what i have done, i usually just say 25. He appreciates it and if im in a bind and need him at short notice, he's usually able to accommodate me!

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Giorggio361@reddit

Round it up to the nearest 10. Mine costs 27 so I pay 30.

No, cos I pay by card.

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Chidoribraindev@reddit

Londoner here. Mine's £29 and I tip £6 to make it £35, which is exactly what I paid in the last 3 places I went to and hated before finding my current barber. Lad's decent and usually takes more than the 45 mins with me (last time we changed up my hair, it took 1 h and 12 mins lol). And just to make you all angry, the appointment before his wedding, I tipped him an extra £10 on top to get the missus a kebab.

I only tip for services where they don't try automatically sneak it in. I always give my barber a little extra, and in return he always fits me in when I need it.

Been to several restaurants where they put a 10-15% gratuity on top of your bill without asking, and I will always ask them to remove it. Tips for things like that should only be given if the service was exceptional and they went above and beyond. In the UK they're paid at least minimum wage so if they want a tip they should be going the extra mile to make me want to give it.

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trainpk85@reddit

My husband used to be a barber and charged round numbers and took payments on card as he dint want people to feel like they needed to tip. He liked the presents at Christmas though.

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My haircut has gone up to £16, I always say to keep the change from a 20. The lady that cuts my hair is on minimum wage, and about 60 years old. I get a great haircut that actually carries on being tidy even as it grows out, so I'm happy to tip. The owner of the shop is a grumpy old git so I don't go in unless she's working.

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srnic1987@reddit

I take my kids to a barber. They're young so not the easiest clients! I think it's £8 each and I give £20.

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NoRooster5575@reddit

Why would I? This is not America

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sakmentoloki@reddit

No, they charge their fee I pay the fee. This tipping nonsense needs to stop

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scouse_git@reddit

I always wait for my favourite barber to become free because she cuts (scissor trim) my hair best of the chairs in the salon. It's £14, cash only and I tip £2 - £15 down then put out another £1 as she offers change, or £20 down and put out another £1 as I take the £5 note.

All my barbers have been foreign with accents to match. Maybe they just have voice coaches at the college to make them the perfect employee: Mario (Italian, of course), then Sami (Algerian), now Anastasis (Romanian). Mario got a full page spread in the local paper when he retired after 50 years with the scissors. He told me that when he started he never asked how customers wanted their hair cut because he couldn't understand their replies.

One of my first barbers was Harry Bioletti, the barber mentioned by The Beatles in Penny Lane.

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Ricky_Martins_Vagina@reddit

Saying keep the change feels too much

🤨 Do you mean the sentence is too much for you to vocalise, or the £3 change is too much?

Personally I'd just round it up to £20 - whatever amount you leave between £17 and £20 isn't going to be life changing for either of you, and it depends on your relationship with your barber, but the more generous end of the tip could make a much bigger difference in service going forward.

My barber charges £37 for cut and shave. I tip him a tenner on top of that. Been seeing him for just over 10 years now.

The barbers around here get a lot of custom. One of the ones I used to go to seemed a lot more quiet and I would sometimes say to keep the change, but that's it.

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oli_ramsay@reddit

Used to let him keep £5 change from a £20. Times are hard now tho

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TheRadishBros@reddit

I pay £20 for £18 haircut. I don’t want the coins anyway.

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Accurate-Ad9790@reddit

My Haircut is £17 too, I always give £20.

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Newbie8-----D@reddit

My haircut costs £32 and I always pay £35 regardless of card or cash. He always offers tea or a beer and gives good service.

My barber is the only person I tip. I love him.

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FarneticoToro@reddit

Why would you tip?

People get proper wages in this country, and whilst it's appreciated I'm sure it isn't expected.

I pay £30 for fade cut and steam shave. It takes about a hour and is very good and relaxing. I pay the man how much he charges and book again for following month.

ThisIsMyRedditAcct20@reddit

£35 in central London. I still tip £5. I’m American by birth and can’t get it out of me

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DoubleParadox@reddit

When I was a kid it was £1 tip, mine is £17 and I give him a £20, give him £30 at Chrimbo.

Small shop, only three chairs and he owns the shop. I reckon it's hard enough atm so don't see the harm in helping out a local chap with a few quid, buys him a pint at the end of the week.

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SaitoSnipe@reddit

I tip £2 on a £16 haircut, been the same ever since I started going 15 years ago, and it was an £8 haircut. However, the barber I use is excellent. It's a family-run business, they're happy for you to wait for your preferred barber to be free, have been running since the 1960s or so, and they're personable, very attentive to what you want and are happy to discuss options and things like that with you.

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Illustrious-Divide95@reddit

£1 or £2 tip unless it's a poor cut.

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ceb1995@reddit

Son's barber charges £15, we give him a £20 note every time as son's autistic and it's a specialist barber so we really think he could charge more.

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rawpaprika@reddit

Usually a fiver

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thereisalwaysrescue@reddit

I tip my kids barber everytime as my kid moves and talks endlessly. They deserve that £2.

I didn’t tip in pizza express yesterday as I seated myself, ordered via the app and paid via the app. I asked a waiter for an extra drink which they forgot.

I’m a nurse and I wish I got tipped!!!

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Severus_1987@reddit

I usually don’t, and then every now and then and at Christmas leave a bigger tip to make up for it.

I’d say £2 was fine each time if you were going to do that. If everyone did that it would soon add up for them

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