The barber's tip

[dulwichmum]

In the name of God Mr Palaentologist, how did you get your hairdresser to tell you that about herself?

[*Bob*]

Michael.. are you talking about "Mr Topper"?

Don't tell me: it's a fiver for a 'number 2' but you tip a pound for that special cut (say, a 'flat top')?

[spadetownboy]

tippings a mugs game i personally dont do it and it drives the missus mad but if i am already paying for a service why should i then pay extra on top again i certainly dont feel any better or any worse for not doing it. and another thing i dont buy the big issue or give to charity collections espicially when some old sod starts trying to rub on my conscience by jangling his collection box in my face, i chuck all my old clothes in the bin and as for red nose day and children in need etc, dont get me started.

[Asset]

my hairdresser charges me ?70 - certainly not going to give him a tip as well.

[SeanMacGabhann]

In teh case of waiters and restaurant staff, tipping is not only customary but is factored in to the staff wages - so no, you're not already paying for the service

For most restaurant chains (and possibly indies as well) the staff get payed way BELOW the minimum wage, with the legal requirement to pay the minimum waged topped up by punters tips. So I always insure tips are left in cash and go directly to the person providing the service

Charity is a completely seperate issue from tipping and shouldn't be bundled in mind you.

But tipping isn't really a mugs game - it's quite a good way of redistributing money from well-off to those less well off. And if we can afford to have a meal for two for ?50 + or a haircut for ?70 then that puts us in the well-off category. Noones asking you to make the business-owner richer - it's about helping the little-guy. And we have all been or could be again the little guy so, you know... karma

[Asset]

Well my hairdresser owns the salon so I reckon he's in the well off category too and does not need a tip.

Anyway, I only have my hair cut twice a year so probably adds up to roughly the same as a guy paying a tenner for a cut every month. Does not necessarily put me in the well off bracket.

I tip restaurant staff and taxi drivers.

[Jonboy]

I went on a speedboar tour of the Thames recently - not that cheap to begin with.

As we were coming back in to the pier, the drivers mate stood at the front of the boat, engaged his faux cockney accent and uttered the immortal lines as a bucket was passed round for us to tip

"Ladies an' Gents, we're just simple river folk tryin' to keep ar' fammlies fed"

get out of it you thieves

[Keef]

I would have been tempted to drown him in the river just for saying that. I usually tip, but not when someone tries to make me feel guilty about it!

[Jonboy]

We actually lashed him to the mainbrace, then shivered his timbers for him, gave him the cat and walked him off the plank.

[Keef]

Good work! ;-)

[SimonM]

>>In teh case of waiters and restaurant staff, tipping is not only customary but is factored in to the staff wages - so no, you're not already paying for the service :D

[SeanMacGabhann]

You can refuse that charge and still leave cash for the staff

[Jah Lush]

I usually tip my barber a couple of quid. The same goes for taxi drivers. Restaurant staff, if the service is good, ten-per-cent of whatever the bill is.