Tipping at nail salons??? Opinions......

[pixiewings71]

I have never understood tipping. I am a teacher. I provide a service to my students. Shouldn't I get a tip? Maybe 20% of their tuition?

What?? I'm a CSR, shouldn't I get a tip? I perform a service. What about my Dr? She performs a service, should I tip her? You probably get paid more than I do. LOL A nail tech gets a little less than I do. LOL

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I don't understand this attitude.
How is it insulting? The time spent is compensated for in a higher priced service, right?

Not necessarily a higher priced service, just more materials involved. For example, a certain type of pedicure is $38 and a certain type of manicure is $28, but they both take about an hour. I think that's the reason for tipping a percentage instead of a flat rate.

If someone was chattering away with another tech while doing my nails in another language I would be uncomfortable and would tip less. Same with talking on a cell phone. Also if they did a poor job. But generally I would tip 15% for okay service and 20% for exceptional service.

 

[ChiCat]

I completely agree, tipping has gotten WAY out of control. I don't tip the Starbucks Barista's any longer, do you tip your Taco Bell server? It seems ridiculous to me. Pet salons, now expect tips. Years ago, this was not someone you tipped.
When I get my nails done, I usually only tip a few dollars, never more than 5. The salons near my home are always jam packed, where waiting can be 30 minutes on a normal day. Then I sit for an hour or more for the fill and pedicure, where the tech doesn't say two words to me, but talks in Vietnamese to her co-workers or on her phone. I find this to be extremely rude. One salon in the area, ran by Vietnamese family, has signs up that if the Tech answers her phone while providing a service, then the service is free. There is also limited conversation in their native language. I tend to tip along the lines of the 20% at this particular salon. This is the service I expect.
I think far too many people EXPECT tips, instead of having a mind set that it should be EARNED. There's my two cents.

Haha regarding tipping being out of control, I recently went to one of those frozen yogurt places where it's pay by the ounce. So you add how much yogurt you want and whatever toppings and so on. I saw a tip jar there and wanted to laugh out loud. Am I tipping you for ringing me up and taking my money?? I did all the work of putting the yogurt together!

 

[Handbag Lady]

My total is usually $31 for mani/pedi and I tip $6.

It is weird, though, when one lady is doing my hands and another does my toes. I then tip more IF (and only if) I feel that the massage part was satisfactory. At my nail salon, they are clean and very good, but always seem to skimp on the massage part. I have asked for longer massages and have paid and tipped accordingly. (It is $5 per extra 5 minutes).

I also feel that sometimes my tips are not enough, and this bothers me.

 

[Handbag Lady]

As a person who accepts tips in a similar fashion as a nail technician I always show appreciation for my tips. However it's never much more than a thank you and a smile. I'm really not sure how people expect me to react to tips.

My last lady didn't even look up when I tipped her and her friend. I would be thrilled with a polite thank you and a smile.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

My last lady didn't even look up when I tipped her and her friend. I would be thrilled with a polite thank you and a smile.

I hate that, and it definitely influences my behavior the next time. My nail/hair girl is younger and very sweet, and she always shows appreciation for tips (without going overboard) so I admit my tips have been significantly more generous than when I first started going (plus I get her a birthday and Christmas gift too). I have a very demanding job and she has always accommodated, and always clues me in on upcoming Groupons, or cuts me a break on my keratin treatments when she can. Money talks!

 

[mjkacmom]

When I get my nails done, I usually only tip a few dollars, never more than 5. The salons near my home are always jam packed, where waiting can be 30 minutes on a normal day. Then I sit for an hour or more for the fill and pedicure, where the tech doesn't say two words to me, but talks in Vietnamese to her co-workers or on her phone. I find this to be extremely rude.)

A woman spends an hour or more on your hands and feet, and you tip her a few bucks?! Wow. She could have made more in 20 minutes on another customer. The Asian places here cost almost half of what the day spas/hair salons cost. The cheapest place here always takes walk-ins, is always crowded, and most of the workers don't even speak English. But, for a $23 mani-pedi, they are popular, even if they rush.

I prefer to spend a few dollars more at some other Asian nail salons, and not be rushed. The least amount I have ever tipped was $5 on a $7 manicure. Sometimes I'm convinced that these women were sold as slaves and live in the basement. I can't imagine being hunched over peoples feet all day!

 

[mandy14]

I hope this is a joke. Does your salary ("salary" is a foreign word in the beauty industry, btw) depend on how many students come to class that day? Most nail techs do not receive an hourly rate and if they do, it's very low. Their pay is a percentage of the service they perform, with the assumption they will make up the rest in tips. If you'd like to teach for $2.00 an hour, maybe then you could truly understand.

I actually hope this is a joke. When you accept a job you know how much it pays. If you expect tips then that is your fault. I would NEVER expect a customer to pay me for a job that is expected. I worked in fast food during college--we waited tables at times, cleaned up after people and refilled drinks--I NEVER expected anyone to tip me. It is not a customer's job to make up for the wage that you agreed to when you took a job. I am so sick of people feeling entitled. And yes, in some cases, my "salary" does depend on how many students are enrolled in my class. If I don't have very many students thus low pay I don't expect my students to make up the difference. And when you look at cost per hour put in by teachers I think you would see it is not very high AND you must have an advanced degree in most places to be a teacher. Tipping has gotten way out of hand. I love my job but I am trying to understand those that feel entitled to receiving a tip. For the nurse that commented--I wonder why they don't get tips?

 

[mandy14]

What?? I'm a CSR, shouldn't I get a tip? I perform a service. What about my Dr? She performs a service, should I tip her? You probably get paid more than I do. LOL A nail tech gets a little less than I do. LOL

I totally agree--why don't we tip everyone? We don't know what they make. Where do we draw the line?

 

[AllyBri]

There are some very thrifty people here.

Just my op of coure, but anyone that's going to spend time washing-scrubbing my-your feet deserves more then a few dollars.

 

[Dizisfun]

There are some very thrifty people here.

Just my op of coure, but anyone that's going to spend time washing-scrubbing my-your feet deserves more then a few dollars.

Right! I totally agree. Everyone should know who gets tips. If someone doesn't than they need to find out.

I tip depending on the service I received. I've tipped way over the 20%, but I've also walked out of a restaurant and didn't leave but a nickel. (the waitress was too busy flirting with a group of guys at another table that she couldn't even be bothered refilling our sodas.)

If I get good service I tip well. If I get bad service I tip not as well or not at all. I feel that people know that their income relies on their tips so they should at least try to pretend like they enjoy working with the public and give good customer service.....

As for tipping owners, it used to be that you didn't. Now it's pretty standard that they expect tips also. Idk why this changed over the years but it has.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

There are some very thrifty people here.

Just my op of coure, but anyone that's going to spend time washing-scrubbing my-your feet deserves more then a few dollars.

Agreed. It amazes me how selfish/entitled people are. I know I'll get flamed for that, but whatever.

 

[iheartdisney]

There are some very thrifty people here.

Just my op of coure, but anyone that's going to spend time washing-scrubbing my-your feet deserves more then a few dollars.

They are paid more than a few dollars- they are paid for the service. The tip is in addition to that. Tips are a supplement to income.

 

[Nancy F]

I always tip $10.00 to $12.00 for a Mani. If I do a Mani/Pedi, I double it. I always go to the same place and have the same girl.
Nancy

 

[mjkacmom]

I actually hope this is a joke. When you accept a job you know how much it pays. If you expect tips then that is your fault.

Let me try to make this simple for you. There are tipped positions, and non-tipped positions:

Waitress - tipped
Accountant - non-tipped
Hair Dresser - tipped
Gas Station Attendant - non-tipped
Cab Driver - tipped
Mechanic - non-tipped

Salaries are based on whether or not tips are expected. The average household income in my state is about $75,000. The minimum wage for servers is $2.14 an hour. Why would anyone work for that? Because it's a tipped position. It's no guarantee, but MOST will tip between 15% - 20% of the cost of their purchase.

 

[iheartdisney]

Let me try to make this simple for you. There are tipped positions, and non-tipped positions:

Waitress - tipped
Accountant - non-tipped
Hair Dresser - tipped
Gas Station Attendant - non-tipped
Cab Driver - tipped
Mechanic - non-tipped

Salaries are based on whether or not tips are expected. The average household income in my state is about $75,000. The minimum wage for servers is $2.14 an hour. Why would anyone work for that? Because it's a tipped position. It's no guarantee, but MOST will tip between 15% - 20% of the cost of their purchase.

This is not entirely correct. Depending on what state you live in, there may or may not be a tip credit in the salary. I know in California, Nevada and several other states employers must pay at least minimum wage. Tips are on top of that. So the old fallacy of the poor waitress working for $2 an hour just isn't always true anymore.

 

[AngieMouse86]

This is not entirely correct. Depending on what state you live in, there may or may not be a tip credit in the salary. I know in California, Nevada and several other states employers must pay at least minimum wage. Tips are on top of that. So the old fallacy of the poor waitress working for $2 an hour just isn't always true anymore.

Which is why I generally only tip close to 15%, except at my favorite restaurants and with my favorite servers.

As for nail techs, back when I used to go to the nail salon, I would never leave more than $5, but typically $3; I keep my nails short and was never getting anything 'extra' done, so anything more than that for a $10-14 manicure seemed excessive. I wasn't taking up a lot of their time but if I did (acrylics, pedi, airbrush, etc), I'd leave more.

 

[mandy14]

Let me try to make this simple for you. There are tipped positions, and non-tipped positions:

Waitress - tipped
Accountant - non-tipped
Hair Dresser - tipped
Gas Station Attendant - non-tipped
Cab Driver - tipped
Mechanic - non-tipped

Salaries are based on whether or not tips are expected. The average household income in my state is about $75,000. The minimum wage for servers is $2.14 an hour. Why would anyone work for that? Because it's a tipped position. It's no guarantee, but MOST will tip between 15% - 20% of the cost of their purchase.

Did you come up with this list of tipped and non tipped positions? Around here a mechanic is a tipped position. Also, a gas station attended IS tipped if they are here. Just curious where these became standard. And, to be very clear again--if you accept a job that pays $2.14 an hour then that is what you are willing to do the job for. You should NEVER expect a customer to supplement your income. You take a job for $2.14 an hour--you do the job you were hired to do. And I agree completely--why would anyone work for $2.14 an hour? Because they feel entitled to tips. If you go above and beyond you will be rewarded--yes tip those that go above and beyond. I am so tired of this entitlement attitude. No one should pay 15-20% for bad service. And no body should feel obligated to pay a tip.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

Did you come up with this list of tipped and non tipped positions? Around here a mechanic is a tipped position. Also, a gas station attended IS tipped if they are here. Just curious where these became standard. And, to be very clear again--if you accept a job that pays $2.14 an hour then that is what you are willing to do the job for. You should NEVER expect a customer to supplement your income. You take a job for $2.14 an hour--you do the job you were hired to do. And I agree completely--why would anyone work for $2.14 an hour? Because they feel entitled to tips. If you go above and beyond you will be rewarded--yes tip those that go above and beyond. I am so tired of this entitlement attitude. No one should pay 15-20% for bad service. And no body should feel obligated to pay a tip.

So, are you saying that you are totally okay with never getting a raise at your company regardless of how many years of service you do? You accepted that base income. You're not entitled to anything else right?

The real "entitlement" comes from stingy people who can't cough up a few extra bucks based on some bogus "principle" they made up in their head. If you don't want to tip for your food, stay home and cook. If you don't want to tip your nail tech, buy some polish and do it yourself.

 

[AngieMouse86]

As an aside, I never realized people tip mechanics. Is this standard practice in certain parts of the country? My uncle used to be a Honda mechanic and I don't think I've ever heard him mention having been tipped or tipping when he gets his cars serviced.

I ask out of genuine curiosity; it never even crossed my mind to do so. My car either goes to the dealer or a guy with his own garage, but I've never thought to tip at either establishment.