Tipping Etiquette Question

Question:

I found your site after an awkward situation with the owner of a salon: I received a leg waxing treatment from an Esthetician who owns and operates her business. It's a one-woman show, so to speak. Anyhow, I was always taught not to tip the owner of a business. I did receive good services from her, purchased products from her, and had every intention of going back. However, at the end I paid by credit-card and she asked if she should "charge this amount." I said yes. Then realized after that she was referring to a tip. I'm confused by this because she owns her business and it seems strange to tip the owner. Isn't purchasing product and repeat business the goal of a business owner?? Doesn't she build profit into her pricing? But she did do a great job and I would hate to have offended her if I'm out of the loop on current tipping practices. Should I have tipped in this situation? Thanks.

Answer:

I agree with you that the owner ought not to have expected a tip. However, that rule is understood in the US by people who were raised in our culture. Your Esthetician may not have been from this country and perhaps she is not aware of this etiquette tradition. It can be very awkward dealing with newcomers to the US, but you do not have to feel that you offended her because she was not aware of our customs. If she's new in business, she'll encounter this situation frequently and she'll eventually learn the rule. Tipping is a complicated ritual because it implies a class-consciousness we like to pretend doesn't exist in the US. Many businesses today have Tip Cups on the counter for workers who don't actually provide personal service as it is usually understood -- I think it's often used to augment the low wages the business owner pays the staff but it is not our duty to subsidize the owner's payroll costs. Tipping is a difficult topic to discuss openly, but if you are ever again in this situation when someone is waiting for a tip that you don't think is proper, it would be perfectly appropriate to ask questions to clarify: "Aren't you the owner of this salon?" You could be educating someone to avoid future embarrassments with other customers.I hope I've eased your anxiety a bit, and thank you for visiting www.askabeauty.com.