To tip, or not to tip...It's always the question!

I had an interesting conversation with my daughter a few days ago. It was her math teacher's philosophy regarding tipping waitstaff. It's a "theory" that's been around forever, and it's never been my favorite. It is this: If you receive good service, tip accordingly. If you receive horrid service (and every one's definition of either is open to interpretation), you leave a penny. This is to show the waitperson that they stunk. Now, while I'm not waitstaff (never a job I wanted), I am someone who receives tips (most of the time) for the services I render. Personally, I would rather receive NOTHING than a penny, if my service was horrid. A complaint to the manager would be in order, as well, from you, the patron, instead of leaving a penny. There are many courses of action to take, rather than leaving a penny. And, this is what I talked to my daughter about. Tipping in my industry. Many people ask me what is an appropriate tip. Jokingly, I'll tell them "$50!" Then, I'll seriously tell them "Tip us exactly like you'd tip waitstaff". Which means this: whatever percentage you generally tip your waitstaff is the same as you would tip your hairdresser. Waitstaff get paid minimum wage + tips. That's why tips are intensely important to waitstaff. Does this knowledge prevent them from giving poor service once in a while?? No. Stuff happens. We don't know what's going on with their day, and quite frankly, it's hard to leave your personal stuff behind and be "ON" for your patrons all day long. It's draining. Yes, it's the profession they've chosen, so they should just suck it up, I know. However, they're still people, too. With actual lives outside of their profession. And, occasionally, they overlap. Hairdressers get paid commission. Some employers are able to pay an hourly rate until you start hitting commission, some do not. So, those tips we receive are equally important. The owner of the salon is not supposed to receive tips. They own the place. The owner of my salon, Ginger, does not realize this. I know this because she gripes every once in a while about the $1 tips she receives (from the nice old ladies she's had for 25 years) for a $55 perm. She's owned the salon since 1988, and it makes a profit (although this year may be a bit interesting, numbers-wise), so, according to industry standard, her paycheck (and she should be receiving one) is a percentage (I have no idea what it is) off the top. I admit, I will gripe if I don't get a tip, particularly if the client was a bit "difficult"...either very demanding, or very indecisive, or their hair was quite a challenge on its own. However, I'm truly not in this industry for the tips. Because, I've learned (even before becoming a hairdresser), you will be disappointed, every time, if you count on them. Do I need my tips?? Sure. They're gas money, laundry money, extra groceries, lunch money, stuff for the child money, stuff for myself money, stuff to continue my education money, cat food money, you get the picture. Could I survive without them?? Yes. Do I want to?? No, not really. But, I would, if I had to. My other "beef" is this: If someone "squeezes" you in, manages to get you done, ON TIME, and gives you the same quality of service, don't be a snot and tip less because you felt "slighted" by the service getting done in less time than normal. There isn't a one of us that enjoys running behind for ANYBODY. It messes up our whole day and makes everyone cranky. Please appreciate the fact that we "squeezed" you in. Or, better yet, schedule accordingly so you have the time you need. Seriously. My point is this: If you like your service, please tip your service provider accordingly. 10% and up works well. If you didn't like your service, please leave NOTHING for a tip, and, if you feel it's necessary, talk to management about your poor service. Please do NOT leave a penny.