Do you tip a hairdresser's assistant?

[LuvTigger]

I went to the hairdresser today, and to make a long story short, my hairdresser was late and running behind. She asked a colleague's assistant (my hairdresser doesn't have her own assistant, at least not yet) to help out by rinsing my hair and giving me a scalp massage (part of their usual services). The massage was completely wonderful, my hairdresser does a good job of it too, but this time it seemed twice as long, but I think it was in part because she was running late and was working on another client at the time.

When she got back to me, I asked if he was her assistant, and she explained that she just "borrowed" him. At one time she told me that if and when she got an assistant, she would have to share her tips with the assistant.

So my question is, would you have tipped the assistant, even though it wasn't your hairdresser's assistant? I wasn't sure if it was appropriate, I thought maybe it was up to the hairdresser to decide what portion of the tips they would share.

 

[CamColt]

Let me start by saying, I am usually very good tipper, so dont flame me, but no, I wouldnt have tipped in that situation.

At my salon there are no assistants, just the hairdressers, and then a receptionist who sometimes will sweep up too. Well a few times since Ive gone there(13 years) my hairdresser has been running late and will have the receptionist wash my hair. I have never tipped her. IMO, I dont think I should spend more money because my stylist was running late. I tip her very well, and if she got help from someone else, I feel she should share that tip with them. Honestly, sometimes I go with only the exact amount of money for the tip and I pay for the service by check, so tipping someone else more money is out of the question.

 

[tnkrbell]

I guess this is up to the idividual, but I couldnt do my job without an assistant!!!! I stay pretty much booked solid and since shampooing a client is not necessary for me to do I will use an assistant for that and I will do another client at that time.
As a hairdresser we pay the Assistant for each service they do for me.
But most of my clients will tip the assistant a dollar or so also.

 

[JasonLyons]

mine dont have an assistant, but the more women I have touching my head the happier I am

 

[Saffron]

Yes I do. At my friend's shop, they have students who are not yet able to do the cuts or dyes or anything else, but they do all the shampooing. I always tip them.

 

[Pin Wizard]

rinsing my hair and giving me a scalp massage (part of their usual services). The massage was completely wonderful

I absolutely would have tipped the assistant! In my book, anyone who provides a service should be tipped provided it was good service. And you thought the massage was wonderful!

 

[nativetxn]

I probably would have. My salon does not allow tipping. They make up for it with higher prices, I think