NWR: Tipping at Nail Salon

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Posted by Stef08

I work in a nail salon. Obviously iam american, and the one thing the girl i work for hates is clients think that its ok not to tip the owner! Nails is not like hair. Usually in a hair salon, the owners prices are higher which is like including a tip. The nail salon iam in the prices are the same for all of us even the owner. The owner is still providing a service, theres no reason not to tip her if she does a good job. Sorry i dont mean to be so defensive but its just something i feel strongly about.

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ITA - Ok.. I will let you in on something. I am a former Nail Salon owner. Had been for many years and still am in the industry. I do NOT get insulted when someone trys to tip me or give me money for my service. Infact ..(I will now have to qoute you)

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The owner makes money on the business and on each servant that works for him/her and makes way above what their 'servants' make and it was seen as a sort of elitness and to be offered a tip, like a servant would be considered insulting.

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..I DO NOT MAKE and NEVER did way above or beyond my staff - you say 'servants'.
[insert foot in mouth]
Not that I should have to explain this but maybe you will understand the concept on what really goes on when someone is a owner in this buisness.
There are so many costs and overhead that is involved I will do a short breakdown for you.
Besides the Rent ..
Electric
phones
computers -fax
cc machines
alarm system
insurance
fire insurance
product purchase
water
coffee
cleaning service
advertising
oh ya now and paying out staff plus their own commissions..
At the end of the day what is left for me is.. um..Nada. Just enuf If I am lucky to pay for all the above and have some tea and tuna.
Oh - I almost left out escalation clauses in my lease for every year I was open!!!!
I had NO LIFE for over 7yrs w/out vacations new clothes, working 13 hrs a day 5 to 6 days week . This was undoubtly a marriage. I had no extra money b/c I had to constantly dump it into new equipment , salon updates and continuing ed classes.
I lived off of a savings to pay my bills.. car , car insurance..rent.. cost of everyday life.

Even if I cut some of the above out I still would NEVER live Large unless I expanded my partnership into something much larger than life like a spa and the hair industry. Infact all my girls were making more money than myself.
All nail owners regardless of race are all struggling w/the same issues> Asian, Russian, American .. whatever..

.

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So the only reason I asked is because I have always tipped and she accepted my tips when most other owners won't and find it a little embarrassing

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I was and still am not embarrassed about accepting a tip just so it is crystal.
[no emocition ]

that me explain..I don't mean servant like being a slave..but legally an employer/employee relationship is called a 'Master/servant' relationship just to differentiate between an independent contactor, etcs.

It is not considered offensive and you wouldn't call someone a servant to their face and is not considered an insult it means they are controlled on the job (such as salary, hours, duties, etc) as opposed to an independent contractor who works for someone but is not controlled in those types of areas.

Please don't take it as an insult...it is just the legal term for an employer and employee...please open a law book and see.

I'm going to stop this controvisal thread now..

for the record. my nail salon is Korean owned, ( for the girl who asked, I know this for a fact because we talk about the school her children go to and holidays), I have nothing against any race. I like my nail girls a lot. I do tip EVERYONE in the place quite well, including the owner, because I am a regular in there not to mention at christmas I also I give everyone in there.

I was just curious if everyone else's owner accepted the tip..thats all...whew

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Posted by StacyJill2009

Here is the scoop on why salon OWNERS usually won't accept tips and it might even be an insult

technically hairdressers, florists, dj, waitresses, etc. if they don't own the business have to figure tips into their salary because they actually can be paid below minimum wage because the state looks at their tips as income. They are also considered 'servants', legally, and hence work for someone who makes money off of them.

The owner makes money on the business and on each servant that works for him/her and makes way above what their 'servants' make and it was seen as a sort of elitness and to be offered a tip, like a servant would be considered insulting.

Does this make sense?

So the only reason I asked is because I have always tipped and she accepted my tips when most other owners won't and find it a little embarrassing.

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This makes no sense whatsoever to me - not saying its untrue, but perhaps a source should be cited if its indeed the legal interpretation... The language is a bit archaic, unsettling even, but I really think the last legal use of 'master/servant' would apply to domestic workers, not service industry employees?

*Source: the Emily Post Institute:
Salons
'Not tipping the owner is an old tradition that's dying out,' Post says. She recommends 15 to 20 percent of the fee, whether or not the stylist owns the place. When more than one person (stylist, colorist, blower) attends to you, split 15 to 20 percent among them according to how much each contributed to the outcome. A basic shampoo and conditioning rates $1 to $3; a wash involving foil removal and color rinses requires a bit more. Slip 15 to 20 percent each to a masseuse and a manicurist.

Oh the 'master/servant rule' is definitely a legal doctrine though - but it addresses vicarious liability of the business owner if an employee (i.e. 'servant') causes harm during the course of his or her employment. AKA 'Let the master answer'.
So effectively in some cases the owner CAN be held legally responsible for an injurious act caused by an employee.

It has nothing to do with wages/taxes/etc though...

Not trying to be a smart azz. But I think there are MANY folks who still subscribe (incorrectly) to the 'don't tip the owner' philosophy, even though in modern times its not the etiquette standard so just trying to shed some light where we can...

I am reading this post and feel exhausted...geez guys take it easy!! It was only a question, and her reason for asking it (her explanation that spoke to culture) made sense. I feel like people try to dramatize everything so quick sometimes and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth ! I enjoy coming on here for feedback and opinions but sometimes I feel like I'm in HS ...

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Posted by FutureMrsFass

I am reading this post and feel exhausted...geez guys take it easy!! It was only a question, and her reason for asking it (her explanation that spoke to culture) made sense. I feel like people try to dramatize everything so quick sometimes and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth ! I enjoy coming on here for feedback and opinions but sometimes I feel like I'm in HS ...

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While I agree that things get dramatized quickly....this is basically HS! You have thousands of girls on here stating their opinions and it happens. What you find to be dramatizing actually upset at least 2 posters who made that clear in this thread. Neither you nor I can say what is upsetting to someone else.

As far as the thread is concerned....when things are posted due to lack of information, mis-information or just plain ignorance its going to happen. This thread isnt dramatized, its has turned into a debate that hasnt gotten ugly, people are stating their opinions on the topic and trying to understand where the OP is coming from~we dotn have to agree and we sure dont have keep our thoughtst to ourselves. If you dont like the way a thread is going and dont want to read it then dont (not saying this in a mean way) but there are plenty of threads that I (and others) pass on b/c I dont have an answer, have no thoughts about the topic OR dont like the way its going (tho its rare).

And just so you know, there is always one person who posts like you just did and usually that makes whatever was worse.

Well said Peg.

MrsFass, you can also just vote in the poll and see if your analysis is correct - its currently 94% vs 6% so clearly there's not a lot of support for the OPs position.

Also please dont read the 'BATCHELORE' party thread, if this one exhausts you you'll need an ambulance after that one.

Sorry that was snide but so was your post.

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Posted by FutureMrsFass

A debate is one thing but to make someone feel badly for something they said that seems to have been taken out of context is another. There's nothing wrong with asking for clarification on what someone meant by a comment that has offended you but when you go about it in a rude way you are asking for the drama to begin. JMO but I'll stop now bc you are right...this is adding to it !!

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I agree to an extent---but when I questioned the OP and NOT in a nasty manner as to why she only directed the poll at KOREAN salons--she got snippy and nasty with ME. It was a question....she had to try and be condascending with her 'if you had traveled the world' crap.....and I wasn't the only one that felt the targeting of one type of salon seemed a little odd.

Her explanations afterward really don't make much sense IMO

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Posted by StacyJill2009

that me explain..I don't mean servant like being a slave..but legally an employer/employee relationship is called a 'Master/servant' relationship just to differentiate between an independent contactor, etcs.

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Let me give a prime example.
Pete pays me to be MJ's friend. He is my employer and I am his employee. He is my master. I am his servant. I obey rules. When he says to take MJ somewhere I do. When he tells me to hang out with her, I do.

*I do not get tipped*

ETA: I don't get monetary tips. I get chip/dip/beer.

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Posted by FutureMrsFass

A debate is one thing but to make someone feel badly for something they said that seems to have been taken out of context is another. There's nothing wrong with asking for clarification on what someone meant by a comment that has offended you but when you go about it in a rude way you are asking for the drama to begin. JMO but I'll stop now bc you are right...this is adding to it !!

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ITA, but if you read my post I wasnt being nasty at all I was actually asking her. And in turn she told me to pick up a law book and that is ok??? If you re-read the thread again you will see the OP contradicts herself, hence why I even posted to the thread giving my opinion b/c I didnt understand where/what./how she was getting her information.

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Posted by apriladam9206

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Posted by StacyJill2009

that me explain..I don't mean servant like being a slave..but legally an employer/employee relationship is called a 'Master/servant' relationship just to differentiate between an independent contactor, etcs.

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Let me give a prime example.
Pete pays me to be MJ's friend. He is my employer and I am his employee. He is my master. I am his servant. I obey rules. When he says to take MJ somewhere I do. When he tells me to hang out with her, I do.

*I do not get tipped*

ETA: I don't get monetary tips. I get chip/dip/beer.

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Posted by apriladam9206

Let me give a prime example.
Pete pays me to be MJ's friend. He is my employer and I am his employee. He is my master. I am his servant. I obey rules. When he says to take MJ somewhere I do. When he tells me to hang out with her, I do.

*I do not get tipped*

ETA: I don't get monetary tips. I get chip/dip/beer.

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I just completely love this. So ILLUSTRATIVE!!!!!

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Posted by apriladam9206

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Posted by StacyJill2009

that me explain..I don't mean servant like being a slave..but legally an employer/employee relationship is called a 'Master/servant' relationship just to differentiate between an independent contactor, etcs.

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Let me give a prime example.
Pete pays me to be MJ's friend. He is my employer and I am his employee. He is my master. I am his servant. I obey rules. When he says to take MJ somewhere I do. When he tells me to hang out with her, I do.

*I do not get tipped*

ETA: I don't get monetary tips. I get chip/dip/beer.

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I DO NOT get benefits from this job either. So I'm really a servant aren't I. Wonder if I can be added to the plan

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Posted by apriladam9206

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Posted by apriladam9206

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Posted by StacyJill2009

that me explain..I don't mean servant like being a slave..but legally an employer/employee relationship is called a 'Master/servant' relationship just to differentiate between an independent contactor, etcs.

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Let me give a prime example.
Pete pays me to be MJ's friend. He is my employer and I am his employee. He is my master. I am his servant. I obey rules. When he says to take MJ somewhere I do. When he tells me to hang out with her, I do.

*I do not get tipped*

ETA: I don't get monetary tips. I get chip/dip/beer.

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I DO NOT get benefits from this job either. So I'm really a servant aren't I. Wonder if I can be added to the plan

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Dude just hanging out with me IS the benefit. stop lying -- you know pete pays you in sexual favors.

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Posted by MJDoc12

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Posted by apriladam9206

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Posted by apriladam9206

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Posted by StacyJill2009

that me explain..I don't mean servant like being a slave..but legally an employer/employee relationship is called a 'Master/servant' relationship just to differentiate between an independent contactor, etcs.

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Let me give a prime example.
Pete pays me to be MJ's friend. He is my employer and I am his employee. He is my master. I am his servant. I obey rules. When he says to take MJ somewhere I do. When he tells me to hang out with her, I do.

*I do not get tipped*

ETA: I don't get monetary tips. I get chip/dip/beer.

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I DO NOT get benefits from this job either. So I'm really a servant aren't I. Wonder if I can be added to the plan

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Dude just hanging out with me IS the benefit. stop lying -- you know pete pays you in sexual favors.

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shooooooot---as destinys child says: can
you pay my bills
can you pay my telephone bills
can you pay my automo'bills
then maybe we can chill
I don't think you do
so you and me are through

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Posted by apriladam9206
shooooooot---as destinys child says: can
you pay my bills
can you pay my telephone bills
can you pay my automo'bills
then maybe we can chill
I don't think you do
so you and me are through

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my hate for you is deep.

shalom

I can't believe this thread is still so active.

LMAO

I can't BELEIVE I just read this whole thread! (This is why I have more guy friends than girls!)

I went to the same nail salon for about 10 years always using the same woman. One day the owner helped out with my nails and I tried to tip her and she wouldn't take it. My nail lady ended up telling me after not to offer the owner a tip. Dunno if that was just her choice or if that's common practice.

Edited for typo