<Unfortunately, on threads like these, we never hear from those who are on the receiving end of tips.>

OK then clearly we need to hear from a Parisian hairdresser who owns the salon they work in.

Or, let's hear from a famous Parisian hairdresser, who works in advertising and film, and services an international clientele of fashionable women. And let's hear who are the best tippers, and the preferred customers.

Waiters and their tips are not part of this discussion. The beauty industry does not pay its employees in a manner similar to food establishments.

Kerouac, please....excuse MY ignorance

<<Or, let's hear from a famous Parisian hairdresser, who works in advertising and film, and services an international clientele of fashionable women>>

Or,more rationally, let's hear from an average Parisian hair dresser, who doesn't work in advertising or film, and services local women and the occasional foreign drop-in.

Interesting opinions! I've decided I will not tip. He sets the price. Kerouac lives here in Paris and hetismij2 is European therefore I trust their knowledge.

Thanks for all the input. Mary

Add me to the list of Europeans who don't tip the owner of the shop. I leave €1 or €2 for the shampoo girl who is usually an apprentice and is not paid the usual wages. Tipping 20% is just ridiculous.

<i><font color=#555555>"Or, more rationally, let's hear from an average Parisian hair dresser, who doesn't work in advertising or film, and services local women and the occasional foreign drop-in."</font></i>

Rationally speaking, we don't need to hear from the "average Parisian hairdresser," because we already know the answer. The average Parisian hairdresser is no different than the average hairdresser in Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, or Brooklyn. Very few among the average, if any of them, are receiving tips of 20%.

StCirq missed my point. The stars of the beauty industry worldwide tend to receive generous gratuities from an international clientele, regardless of their salary, which is almost never known by the customer, and regardless of the local custom. It's just the way it is in beauty, which makes it different from any other service.