Tipping Question
 

So I finally got my act together and made an appointment with a salon/spa to get my hair cut and straightened tomorrow after work. The straightening takes several hours (at least 4-5) and the spa closes at 7pm. Since I can only get there at 5:30 at earliest, the owner agreed to do me a favor and stay late and do my hair personally so that I can get it done tomorrow. Obviously a 15% tip just isn't going to cut it for him. How much should I tip him? Should I also offer to have dinner delivered to the salon?

Depending how often you go to the salon. I personally don't go too often, maybe twice a year. So once I do, I usually tip generously. My suggestion in cases like these, since he volunteered to stay over 7pm, make a rough estimate how much he gets paid by the hour and multiply it by the amount of hours it went over on top of the 15% you give him. That way it sounds fair. And also having dinner delivered would be a really great gesture since it sounds like it'll go till 9ish or so. It's just a way to show him how much you appreciate his service :)

That's just me :)

I would tip the shampoo person ($5 or more depending on the salon) and anyone else that works on your hair other than the owner. You generally don't tip the owners of salons.. but dinner is a really nice gesture. I would call ahead and tell him how much you appreciate how he's staying late for you and that you want to buy him dinner. Then give him a few choices off the menu from a couple of very nice restaurants.

From what I understood, the owner is the person who's actually going to be doing my hair, which is why I'm sure of how much to tip.

I'd tip the owner if he's doing your hair -- he's free to decline to accept if it offends him.

I always start at 20% with salon tips -- I'd probably give him 25-30%, and I think offering to buy dinner is an awesome idea.

See I get my hair done by the owner of a salon and I was taught you do NOT tip the owner because she (he) makes enough off of everyone. Dinner sounds great with the tip on top though because this is a special deal.

If someone does a service for you, and does a good job, you should tip them regardless of their status. As someone else mentioned, the owner can decline if inappropriate. You might, however, choose to strictly stick to 15%.

I think dinner sounds great and I would offer a tip as others have said. I tip very well at salons because I want the stylist to remember me and do a good job every time I come in.

15-20% tip plus dinner sounds great!

I've always heard the rule that it's not necessary to top the owner of a salon, or the proprietor of any business if they are the ones that help you. Since he is doing a special favor, I'd say a standard 15-20 % and dinner seems completely fair.