Nail salons requesting tips

amother

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 8:23 pm

I put this in the Lakewood section Bec I know every area has different pricing.
What do you consider normal to tip. Not what the internet says...
the salon I go to has a sign hanging behind each technician saying that standard tipping is 15-20%.
IMHO that’s way too high. A $32 gel manicure is pricey enough. I know I chose to have the service done but it still bothers me.
I work for a company that pays me. Clients that I help aren’t required to tip me in addition to what they pay the company. Why is this different?
It’s piggish in my opinion... I don’t know why it’s accepted.
Same with waiters and massage therapists. I’m paying for my food/massage. Let the owner pay their employees. Not me.
I’m not a cheap person in the least bit. I’m just bothered how a tip becomes a given.
In addition, there’s signs in the salon saying that the tip shouldn’t be a reflection of the service. If you weren’t happy let them know.
Excuse me? I’m not required to tip and if you didn’t service me completely satisfactorily then I am not inclined to shower you with dollar bills.
I do tip but don’t understand why.

amother

Blonde

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 8:31 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Some people--like waitstaff--get FAR LESS wages per hour, like under $3--because they make up the rest in tips. Did you know this?

amother

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 8:36 pm

I’m aware that they get less. I’m trying to figure out why I need to pay their wages when I’m already paying for the service..

It shouldn’t be ok. They should be paid by their employees with the money I paid for the services like the rest of the world.

A medical billing company pays their employees with the money they make From their client.

Salesmen get commission from the sales they make. The customers don’t tip them for being their salesman...

See what I’m saying?

allthingsblue

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 8:39 pm

It's the way of the world.
The way of the world is that in some businesses, employers pay their employees. In other businesses, customers are expected to tip, and employers and employees count on that. Consider it part of the cost of the manicure. (Like sales tax or shipping etc)

amother

Blonde

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 8:40 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

I see what you're saying, but at least for these particular employees this is the way it is. I actually understanding not wanting to, but having to, tip people like baristas who make a full wage. But if you go out to eat you are part of the conundrum.

amother

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 8:43 pm

allthingsblue wrote:

I hear you, but then what exactly is my original payment going to?
If the prices are lower because you’re tipping the staff then it’s one thing. But I’m basically paying the owner of the business who doesn’t pay their employees and then paying the employee as well.
It’s mind boggling

amother

Denim

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 8:50 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

Rent
Loans to purchase furnishing
Purchasing supplies
Electricity/phone/utility
Insurance
Licenses
Paying employees something

shanie5

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 8:50 pm

The owner is likely keeping cost of service down. He has to pay for supplies, overhead (rent, utilities) and it adds up. If he added employees and their benefits to the cost of food/service, the price would be even higher.

amother

Orange

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 8:58 pm

I don’t think salon owners are rich. You want to pamper yourself?? Great! Just keep in mind the lowly wages the techs are getting and the awful conditions they live in and the fact that they are doing manual labor touching other people all day and view the tip as part of the price of your luxurious service

amother

Apricot

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 9:06 pm

I agree with OP. It's very annoying. I tip the recommended 20% and get my nails done less often.
For me, it's even more annoying with restaurants. Since the tip percentage is set and mandatory, waitstaff have no incentive to actually try to give you good service. Also, if my birthday dinner budget is $100 I wouldve been able to go to a nicer place and get two appetizers and a main to share and that would've been enough for us, but because of the tip sending me over budget I instead I go to a more mediocre place, or skip going out altogether.
But my main issue is that it takes away workers incentive to please consumers.

amother

Coral

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 10:04 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

I COMPLETELY agree with you. I was talking to 2 of my coworkers about this (not Jewish). One of them says she always tips because that’s most of their wages (her parents own a restaurant so she’s very aware of it) and said even if she goes to an ice cream store where you just go up to the counter she tips! My other coworker heard where I was coming from and said that’s why she believes in a socialist economy lol.

I think it’s so unfair that after we pay a hefty price for a service we’re expected to tip because the owners b’davka don’t pay their employees enough. Not my problem! (That being said at I do tip waiters, nail salon people, waxers etc but for as little as I can get away with 😬)

amother

Wine

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 11:31 pm

But it still should be service based I think?
If someone is rude you shouldn’t have to tip?
And if they are less than courteous should your tip reflect that?
Or should it be a set price regardless because they don’t make a lot?

challahchallah

Tue, Oct 27 2020, 11:52 pm

amother [ Wine ] wrote:

I think it is service based, but, barring truly egregious behavior there should still be a solid minimum amount. For poor service, I tip about 15%. For normal service, I tip 20% rounded up to the nearest dollar. For truly great service, I tip around 25%. Aside from a few trips to countries where it’s not done, I have never tipped less than that at a restaurant. I have left no tip for a manicure exactly once when the technician was just that nasty to me.

ETA: This is for sit down restaurants and personal services like manicures, massages, etc. I do tip less at counter places like ice cream, coffee and such.