How much to leave your hairdresser
You're at a restaurant, the bill arrives and there's that all-too-familiar moment of uncertainty – how much of a gratuity do I leave?
Tipping, a rather unspoken social norm, is a way to express thanks for a job well done. With service industries across the countries feeling the impact of a weakened economy it is important -- perhaps now more than ever -- to appropriately tip.
According to a 2007 study by BMO Mosaik MasterCard, 78 per cent of Canadians tip 15 per cent or more in restaurants, but fewer than 40 per cent tip the same percentage for other service industry workers like taxi drivers, delivery workers or hair stylists.
Here are some rules to help you navigate the contentious issue of tipping at hair salons, bars and restaurants, spas and for food delivery across the country.
Hair salons
If you go to a high-end salon, staff could expect multiple tips: one for the assistant who washes your hair, one for the stylist who cuts and blow dries, maybe even another for the person who delivers your coffee; but how much to leave for each role?
Start considering your gratuity at 10 per cent of your total bill, and then increase the amount for each person based on the difficulty of their service and how much time they spend with you. So you might tip 15 to 20 for the stylist then about $2 for assistants, adjusting the amount according to the skill required or difficulty of service they provide.
Location is a key factor, too. “If you’re in a high-end salon in downtown Toronto, you can probably expect to tip more than at Joe the barber in Moose Jaw, Sask.,” says Louise Fox, owner of The Etiquette Ladies. “Don’t be afraid to ask the receptionist or call in advance to inquire about their tipping policy.”
For stylists, Fox suggests tipping 15 to 20 per cent at a high-end hair salon, and 10 to 15 per cent at more modest establishments.
