Tipping in the United States isn’t technically mandatory, but it’s usually considered rude not to. Many people go for a 20% tip because the math is easier. Just move the decimal in the final price one spot to the left, then double that amount.
Bringing cash also makes it easier to tip multiple people if you had your hair shampooed by a salon assistant, for example.
Your barber or salon is taking care of you by offering a discounted cut, so take care of them in return with your gratuity.
Being late forces a barber to try and give you quality service in a shorter window than they planned and might skew their schedule for the rest of the day.
Consider bringing your barber a small gift when you’re at the salon around the holidays. Try a gift card, a bag of gourmet coffee or candy, or a nice mug.
Non-monetary gestures are appreciated too. Try bringing your barber a coffee or snack in addition to a normal tip to help them make through a packed day.
For example, if you have short hair and it didn’t take the stylist long to clean up the ends, 15% is totally acceptable.
It’s possible the barber didn’t even realize there was a problem because of a communication error. Voice your problem with your haircut in a calm, professional manner. This gives the barber a chance to offer solutions and have you leave happy. For example, they might schedule a discounted followup appointment or offer you discounted products or styling tips to spruce up your cut.
