Is it Offensive to Tip Too Much? Find Out What Your Barber is Expecting From You

One Fair Wage is a nationwide campaign to raise the minimum wage. They have been at work in Ohio to gather the necessary signatures for an amendment to be added to this year’s ballot. The amendment will provide for a gradual annual increase from $10.45 to $15 an hour by 2029. Meeting opposition from Ohio’s Chamber of Commerce and restaurant and bar owners, they were unable to collect the 413,000 signatures needed by the deadline. Oklahoma voters are waiting to see if a similar measure will reach voters in November; their petition is 2 weeks from the deadline. In Nevada, the minimum wage was recently raised to $12. Nationwide, minimum wage hikes have and will take place in 25 states over the course of 2024.

The discussion of fair wages is not new, but with rising inflation, the cost of living has become difficult to manage for many. Tipping has become another national wage topic, and the pressure to do so has caused some to rethink the methodology behind it. If you happen to work in the service industry, minimum wage might look different depending on where you live. In Alabama, for instance, the minimum tipped wage is $2.13 per hour. The expectation is that with tips, this will allow the individual to make or exceed the hourly minimum wage. What about other industries that provide a service? Whether you are getting your nails done or having your hair trimmed, tipping is encouraged and expected.

There are stories all over the internet of customers leaving larger than necessary tips as a show of appreciation or a “pay it forward” opportunity. Some restaurants allow one to “tip” or pay for the cost of future diners who may be less fortunate. The spirit of generosity is celebrated despite a broader culture of greed and cutting back to increase the bottom line. But, the question of how much is too much is still there. What is just the right amount? Do you tip more if the labor was more intensive or only if you are fully satisfied with the results? There are some places where you are supposed to tip, historically, and to be a good person. Today, we're going to look at the ethics behind tipping your barber. Are you tipping too much?

Why Are We Discussing Tipping Culture?

Tipping is a cultural thing, and as such, there are certainly going to be some disagreements over methodology. What is our methodology? Some resources online (mostly forums), sure, but also, a healthy dose of editorial discretion from someone who has been getting their hair cut by a barber since, well, they had hair to cut. Regardless, there is always room for your specific situation, so don't get too worried if it's not addressed directly. Let's get started.

How Much Should You Tip a Barber?

You should tip your barber between 15-20% in most cases.

See, it’s not all that difficult. Generally speaking, barbers operate out of a studio or rent a chair and pay part of their daily income to the person they are renting space from. A barber may be salaried in some situations, but this is much less common.

Regardless, in scenario one, where a barber is renting a chair, you are helping to negate the costs incurred by your barber, at least at a practical level. This doesn’t even consider that your barber has costs associated with tools, maintenance, and hair products (many of which need to be refilled daily). When you tip, you are contributing towards these costs.

In scenario two, we can speak less about the practicality of things and more about honoring good service. In the service industry, at least in the United States, pay is often tied to the perceived “quality” of the service provided. The keywords here are quality and service provided. This is why you don’t (or at least shouldn’t) be paying a 20% tip when you purchase espresso to-go from a coffee bar. The service provided is limited to you being handed a coffee within a few seconds of asking for it.

The tip quantifies the quality of service. In many cases, 15% is a cultural floor, with 20% being the average and a way to show appreciation for the service. Anything above 20% is seen as a kind gesture or a way to signal that you were truly impressed or appreciate the work that was done.

Is Not Tipping Your Barber Legal?

Tipping isn’t a legal requirement but a cultural one. If you plan on returning to that barber, it would be a good idea to tip them for their service. Not tipping, in the United States, is seen as rude. This is true with any repeatedly frequented establishment, whether that be a bar, restaurant, or, of course, a barber shop.

Is it Ever Okay Not to Tip Your Barber?

It’s a good idea to assume that you will always be tipping your barber 15-20% every time you sit in their chair. Still, there are a few exceptions, but they always involve communication.

For example, if your barber is new or just starting out, a haircut may be free. In this case, their services are offered for free, and a tip could be anything that wouldn’t be an outright insult (it’s hard to quantify this, but between $5 and $20 feels right). This isn’t common and usually occurs when a family friend is learning the trade and wants people to practice on. You’re taking a “risk,” so you aren’t paying full price.

Another instance where you may not pay a tip is if you have a personal relationship with the barber, and they have made clear they don’t need a tip. This may be because their price includes the costs associated with cutting hair, or they want to provide a certain level of experience to the customer. In some high-end service industries, this is the case, and a tip is politely declined. Again, this is quite rare and isn’t something most people encounter.

Should I Tip My Barber in Cash?

Regarding the details of the tip, things are a lot looser and will depend on the establishment. In most situations, a cash tip will be just fine since you can take cash anywhere. In other places, a tip can be added to the service through a PoS (Point of Sale) system like Square or Swipe. This is pretty familiar for most people, and tapping the percentage as they turn the iPad toward you isn’t anything new.

The best thing to do? Ask. Since there is a credit card surcharge, paying your tip in cash may save both you and your barber some money, provided they are interested.

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