I was always told that you don't tip the owner of a business. Don't know if that still holds true or not.

I'm looking forward to the responses. Hubby and I go to a stylist who works out of her home. I never know whether to tip or not. She doesn't wash our hair, just sprits it and cuts and blow dries.

Yes, I would tip if the service provided was good.

Especially in the salon scenario, I would tip. I always tip people who provide personal services, I.e. hair, nails.

I always tip 20%. My hairdresser is the owner. The only exceptions to this are the people who do my lawn and pool care, and pest control. I am on a monthly contract with them.

While DH and I are often guilty of over-tipping, I agree with you in this case. Because he is the owner and because he charged 21% more than the first guy, I would consider that the tip is built in to the cost. To put it another way, he got fair-market value ($70), plus a $15 tip (21%). And, as the owner, he doesn't have to share the fare with anyone.

I would have tipped the driver/owner if he got me to my destination safely and on time. I also tip the salon owner who cuts my hair.

Did you try Uber? You know the price before you agree to the service.

Selling roses is a whole different ball game.

There is really not a "yes or no" answer to this. Tipping is at your discretion.

But if you want to break it down.....

Compare to the hair stylist, a non-owner has to pay booth rent, therefore part of what you pay them goes back to the salon owner.

I am not familiar with car services, I don't know if they get paid hourly or by the job. Some tipping "etiquettes" go along with NOT tipping the owner, but then some say you should.

I think it's up to you.

Came back to add, in my book $85 is pretty steep already, I probably would NOT have tipped.

Jim, I think you're overthinking this, but that's just my view.

I give a tip for good service for services for which a tip is customary, without regard to who the service provider is or isn't. I don't want to think about it, feel a need to investigate ownership, or ask any other personal questions. I don't feel bound to follow conventions, if there are any, and I don't give a diddly about the etiquette police.

If cost is a factor for you, find a different way to go to the airport. Get a ride from a friend, or take an airport bus or shuttle - these latter two are always cheaper than individual cars. Uber/Lyft rides often are too.

In your scenario, I would have given the driver a tip.

Edited to add:

I think 20% is excessive if that's anyone's standard tip. I'll give that under exceptional circumstances, or if the bill is a low amount (like for breakfast) but to me, that's too high in the normal course.

I tip my hair dresser. She is the owner. I don't tip her as much as I would someone who rents a chair.

I would have tipped the driver.

I think you were okay to not tip in this circumstance. I agree that the price had a tip factored in.

My hair stylist moved and is now one of the owners of her new salon. I now give her a flat rate rather than a percentage.

When we first started to use our housekeeper to clean our home, a price was agreed upon. My DH wondered if we should tip her after each visit? We don't, but we give a nice Christmas bonus.

Rides to the airport from my home can run $100 or more. We have good friends who live around the corner and we pretty much take cover other for the airport runs.

I would have tipped him... owner or not. He came through for you, was reliable, and gave you a ride. He could have sent you elsewhere.

We have a metro ride thing you can do here for I think $50 from the airport, but my dh hated it because he was the last stop and didn't like the way the guy drove. We got the name of a personal driver from a neighbor. His rates are over $100 for the same ride and we tip. This gentleman and other people he hires are good drivers, they are prompt. It's nice to have someone to navigate this horrible traffic while we are tired. There is no way to lose the car at the parking garage. The cost of this guy was about the same as it would have cost us to pay for parking at the airport on our family trip a couple of years ago. It's more expensive in some cases, but we feel better about it and know what service we are getting. Yes. We tip.

Jim you wanted all to respond. We've responded heavily, but not unanimously, for tipping. Have we given any insight, what will you do next time?

When taking a long trip (>10 days), I'll use a personal driver. I prefer to not leave my car in an airport lot for so long (even though I have ones at both local airports I trust) and the cost, while more, is acceptable to me. It's a business known for flakes so finding one who is prompt and reliable on both ends (pickup at home and at the airport) is important. Especially when returning from a foreign trip involving a multi-hour change and jet lag, I don't want to have to suddenly be alert enough to drive home safely.

I tip for personal services whether the provider is the owner or not. Some car services automatically include a 20% tip in their rate and show that on their web site. In that case, I would not tip.

Take Uber ;-)

Problem solved.

OK, clarification. We live about 50 miles from the Tampa airport and Uber, and others are not an option. Our flight was at 7:15 (direct to LAX) and we left the house about 5:00 a.m. (the driver wanted 4:30 a.m.) The traffic was minimal.

We cruise. This situation was a cruise from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale (Panama Canal again). I don't intend to do the flying thing again. I can drive to Ft. Lauderdale, Miami or Tampa in less than 5 hours. I can rent a car one way to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami for less than the cost of that private ride to the Tampa airport (returning a car at that early hour to an airport is disgusting, I tried it once).

Back to the hair dresser place. Where I get my hair cut, the owner works along with 4 other barbers. The last time there, I was in the chair of the boss man. I did not tip him, with the assumption that he made enough money from the other four. Tips in that situation are often unreported to the tax people. Not like waiting tables in a restaurant. In my mind he didn't need (or deserve) anything extra.

So....do you only tip when you think they NEED OR DESERVE it? I tip when I receive prompt, courteous service.

These days, owners of many small businesses just get by. To not tip because he is an owner in an unfair penalty, you don't know what his expenses are.

I'm with you JIm. I would think "no tipping" the owner.

I think if ALL the money goes to the guy/gal your paying, he's not paying to rent the taxi...then he/she is charging what they want to get paid.

"I did not tip him, with the assumption that he made enough money from
the other four. Tips in that situation are often unreported to the tax
people. Not like waiting tables"

I don't think these assumptions, whether true or false, are any of your concern. And are certainly none of your business.

It sounds to me like you've already made up your mind, for reasons (I think) are not good reasons. Either way of course that's fine but why not just say so?

For service providers I use regularly, I want them to be happy to see me and give me the best possible service, instead of thinking (as they may with you) "here comes the guy who doesn't ever give a good tip."

My barber, who owns the shop but who I tip well all the same (and who will always squeeze me in on her lunch hour or at the end of the day when I need to ask for that) has this sign on the wall:

"Everyone brings happiness to this humble place. For many, it happens when they walk in the door. For others, it's when they walk out".

WTG Jim. You did the right thing.

I have never based my tip on the assumption that they collect so much money from other sources that my tip isn't necessary to bring them to what "I" consider a "reasonable" wage for the service(s) they provide.

They are providing a personal service to me. I've only once received such terrible service that I left no tip and that was on a questionable cab ride in Vegas.

Do you require a print out of the latest tax return from your waitress before you decide what tip, if any, she is "worthy" of? Perhaps the last 10 tables she waited on tipped heavily...I suppose that means that she doesn't need your big tip?

Whether they are the owner or not, collect additional booth charges or not, they provided a service to me; a service largely dependent on tips and, knowing that, I pay them (plus tip) what I think that is worth. More if I think the service was exceptional.

My personal feelings as to what I "think" they should be making over all in a year don't factor in.

I can honestly say that I've never once had a "should I tip them and how much" scenario that was decided or even influenced by whether they were the owner.

I'm honestly quite shocked to hear that others would even factor that in to the equation.

I would have at least given a $5.00 tip out of courtesy & a kind gesture.

Since you said "mostly females who respond here". This is my gay opinion so I don't know what bucket my advice comes from. LOL

Yep owner does not get tipped. I want to think an OWNER has worked into his price his expenses plus an amount that he takes home. Other wise this is not a business, it is a hobby!! I am not fully behind the entire concept of tipping. Why do we tip some 'jobs' and not others??? Seems like when I go to work I have agreed on a certain compensation. Seems to me the idea applies to EVERYONE. With minimum wage up to astronomical amounts for very menial,no education needed jobs..tipping is an outmoded concept. My bias comes from a stint as a grill cook where the waitresses got paid EXTRA if customers liked MY FOOD PREP and working retail where I sold men's apparel for an hourly amount but the guys who "sold suits" got commission for ringing up my sales!!

I do tip my hairdresser even though she is the owner. I suspect she doesn't keep the money for herself. She runs a training program out of her salon for young people who are needing training in a trade, some are training as receptionists, others washing hair, and a couple who she will sponsor for stylist school. I like to think my little stipend is supporting that program.

It's like Starbucks vs the little single independent coffee shops - I won't leave my extra change in a Starbucks but I will for the independent neighbourhood coffee shop which I tend to frequent. I just them to make a go of it.

Would I have tipped the small local operator car service - probably.

I would be so grateful for getting there safely and on time, so yes, I would tip. My husband is a fishing guide. A half-day trip isn't cheap and at least half the customers tip, anywhere from 10% up to 40%. I was shocked! They tip when you've all been out on the river fishing and laughing and having fun together?! I think that is incredibly generous of them. My husband feels the same way. His partner, on the other hand, gets pretty whiny when a customer doesn't tip. I told him if he needs more money they should raise the rates. Don't expect a tip, just be grateful if you get one.

I tip the owner who cuts my hair. It used to be that etiquette said you don't tip the owner but that seems to have changed.

Well, I have never hired a driver, so not sure my opinion here is valid. Wouldn't that be similar to taking a taxi? Where tipping is the norm?

Personally, when using any service where tipping is a custom, I base the tip (percentage wise) strictly on the quality of service received, I don't care how much the person providing the service appears to need or not need it. Not all small business owners are flush just because they own the business. Sometimes it's a real struggle to make ends meet, and they appreciate a tip as much or more than an employee would. In fact, I think owners appreciate being acknowledged for good service just as much and probably MORE than most employees do!

Speaking of hair stylists, you say: "The assumption is that you add the tip because the stylist is having to lose a bit of the total fee charged. Right so far?" Wrong! I tip because he/she provided a service I needed in a friendly, courteous, professional way, in other words, did a good job of it.

So, in my humble opinion, if the man provided a service you needed, in a courteous prompt, professional, safe way, you should have tipped him, regardless if he was the owner of the company, or the janitor.

Rusty

Justlinda has hit it right on the nail for me, regardless of whether owner or employee, stylist, waitress or driver. Is tipping to reward above average service or is tipping to supplement provider's income? Those are two entirely different philosophies that provoke heated discussions. Being aware of this, i usually take a middle stand position, but the result is good service provider is not justly rewarded and low wage provider doesn't get much financial relief. Don't know anybody is happy when all of us don't tip for the same reason.

I always thought tipping was a thank you for great service. That being said there's a waitress at a local diner we have frequented many times raising 2 kids on a income from a diner in a small country t

I would have tipped for the service. Most cases when I tip someone I would not know if they were an owner or not. I used to tip the owner of the hair salon where I used to go when she styled my hair.

In "the old days", the custom was that the owner of a hair salon didn't get tipped. However, that seems to be changed now and some do, some don't. For me, my hairdresser isn't the owner and I tip my hairdresser well; she remembers me, knows what I like, wants to please me. Of course, I'm sure she feels the same about customers that don't tip her as well as I do, but I think she's terrific and always give me great service. She's worth it to me.

As far as the car service goes, I'm not sure. Given that the driver was the owner, I guess I'd not have tipped. TIpping, in one sense, is to give extra, deserved money/thanks to those who don't make as much money. The owner makes more money than all of them (theoretically). But I just don't know for sure. I'm very interested in the other responses.

Wow, Jim. This isn't the first time that you've told us that you're a cheap son-of-a-gun. For you to presume that people who receive tips are underreporting their income on their tax forms is preposterous. Perhaps it is YOU who cheats on tax forms, so you presume everyone does. I'm glad I'm not you.

No, you are not expected to tip the owner of a business, because they already make all the profit, after expenses.

And run the risk of bankruptcy if there is no profit, after expenses.

An add-on for whatever it is worth -

In the early 1970s, I ran a retail flower shop in central Illinois. We did a good business and I had 11 full-time employees. When the flower holidays came around, I generally added three more people, just to keep up with stuff.

Most of the employees were loyal and had been there for several years. One day, in the quiet summer, I gathered them for a short meeting. I asked them to consider something, have a meeting while I was out of the building and let me know what decision there was.

What, if anything, would you like to have me do different in the way of making your time at the flower shop better. I asked and then left the building. I returned about 45 minutes later and they had a decision. I don't know if they voted or what. However, their decision was to have health insurance. That was uppermost in their minds.

I investigated and decided that would be too expensive as an overhead item. I told them about my decision, but added that all would get an increase in their hourly wage to help compensate for what I could not offer. They seemed to be happy. I did not have health insurance at the time either. Remember, this was the early 1970s.

Money is not always the reason that people go to work each day. It often has to do with the way they are treated. There are some efforts around the USA for restaurants to pay above minimum wage and post a sign that indicates that tips are not necessary. The help (front and back end) would be compensated better than what might be expected.

A sole proprietor, such as the car service guy, gets whatever money is generated. He has expenses, of course, but he doesn't have to pay anyone for such things as dispatching, etc. All the money goes into his pocket. Tip him? I did not. He set his rates and has to live with them.

San Francisco passed an ordinance a few years ago requiring employers to provide medical insurance for employees. For restaurants, the result was little notices on menus stating that prices had been increased some small percentage (usually 3-5%) to cover that cost. There are always people unhappy with things but I think most patrons thought this was fine (and of course employees were happy).

In Europe, it's standard for menus to state that restaurant prices either include (most commonly) service or (less commonly) that a percentage will be added to the final bill and further tipping isn't necessary. It's always done, whether the person serving you is an owner (as is always the case in a small place) or not. I've seen that second approach in a few restaurants here in California, and it's very common for a group >6.

Jim, with your employees as with this thread, you seem to be okay to not hear other voices that disagree with you.

When I have my hair cut in a salon, I don't necessarily know who the owner is, so I've always tipped. However, for the past year, I've had my hair cut by a 'stylist' in her own home. She doesn't wash my hair; I come to her with my hair freshly washed. So she cuts it and blows it dry and uses a little bit of some product. I don't tip her as I feel the her cost is fair for what I get and she's not splitting it with anyone.

Jim,

If you are happy with the way you handled the situation, why did you start this thread, and more to the point, why continue with the add-ons? I think your position was clear from the beginning, some agree with you which is perfectly fine, and some do not.

I suspect that when you wife spoke up and said you should have tipped, you wanted to prove you were right. It seems you were not happy that she had a different point of view, and it seems like you are not happy that some here have their own point of view.

Because you are here, pleading your case, I suspect that your wife knows you well and has learned to ignore your long expositions. Good for her, that she is strong enough to have her own opinion and wise enough to not listen to interminable proofs of rightness from you.

I haven't answered because I was stuck on hairdressing being an example women "needed"? Is this mansplaining? I easily understood the limo example.

Always tip someone in a service industry occupation. Even the owner. Especially when utilizing a limo, which is fully a luxury in life.

I do tip all drivers, owners or not, but not a percentage based on price. Usually a flat amount. $5.00 per person with a bit of help with luggage, maybe a bit more if there was a lot of luggage or special circumstance. This includes shuttle drivers generally as well.

I was also told it was rude to tip the owner of a business, but it seems I use a lot of small businesses these days that have no other (or few other) employees. With that in mind, the old advice seems outdated.

I tip a percentage of the bill for wait staff because I know they are being paid and taxed based on that. For a small bill, I might up it a bit to hit a minimum however. For hair dressers etc. I tend to tip a flat rate, not based on the price itself.

Dances.

I tip for taxi rides, hairdressers, baggage carry and when being served food or beverage. It honestly wouldn't occur to me to wonder if the person was an owner. I really don't understand the theory behind not tipping a business owner.

In Jim's defense, it was customary that the salon owner would refuse a tip on some ancient principal, lol. Gradually that all changed and some people tipped and some didn't. As an owner of two salons, I chose to refuse the tip as I'm old school and my thinking was that the person feels special as they should. It's a personal thing, there's no wrong or right but I understand Jim's need to understand more about it.

Lucille,

My last long post was in the form of a response to Lindsey, who indicated that I am cheap. The story of my employees and money, I believe, shows that I do whatever I can for those who rely on me.

And, I pay quarterly estimates to the government. I hate it, but the income that I have does not have anything deducted. I pay gobs and gobs of money in taxes.