[mary123abc]

I would like to know if it is proper etiquette not to tip your hairdresser if she is the owner? I am a regular client (WEEKLY) and do not feel that I should tip her because she owns the place. She is the one making the prices and so on. I will, however, tip her if she does me a favor like squeeze me in for an appointment or come in especially for me because of an event. I always tip the shampoo girl or the colorist. AM I RIGHT OR WRONG?

[Wondergirl]

I would tip her. I tip the owner of the shop I go to if I end up with her as my beautician. She works as hard (and harder) with inventory control, shop maintenance, scheduling, customer service, advertising, community relations.

[dontknownuthin]

While it's true the owner does a lot of work to maintain her business (I hope!), unlike everyone else working there, she gets a cut of every service provided. So I would not tip the owner but would tip others who might assist her such as a colorist or shampoo girl.

[Catsmine]

Gratuities are awarded for personal service. The people that force servers to live from that income do not need gratuities themselves. If a person provides a service for you like you describe, regardless of who owns what that person deserves your gratitude.

[dontknownuthin]

I don't think this is really as much a matter of etiquette as it is a difference in how people are paid. It's not customary to tip owners because they are paid differently, typically far more than the other staff if they are successful in running their business. So, no, you are not wrong - I think the way you are handling it now is fine.