What's the etiquette rule for leaving a tip in this case?

Question

There is this lady who makes the eyebrows at her own house.

I went to her once and I really liked her work and I intend to go to her again often.

My question is: am I required to leave a tip? And if yes, how much?

I did leave a tip last time… but leaving a tip will only make my visits less frequent to her because of the cost of the whole service. Also, unlike waiters, she's not being underpaid. So do I still need to leave the 15-20% tip?

What's the etiquette rule for leaving a tip in this case?

Answer 1

I think you should if you really like her work.

Answer 2

"makes the eyebrows"?  What the heck is that?  I assume you mean she sort of paints them on.  I'm a guy so please forgive my ignorance in this topic.

15% sounds good for an eyebrow maker.

Answer 3

Tips are referred to as gratuities, meaning they are given in gratitude of services rendered. So etiquette was that they were given for service beyond the normal service which was to be provided, and their amount was determined by that extra service.

Nowadays that seems to have been thrown out the window. Anyone who tenders a service seems to automatically expect more than the set cost of that service, even if nothing more than that normal service is provided by them. I personally don't believe that etiquette in these cases should be changed to accommodate this attitude, but I seem to be in the minority. And since the server usually expects to see a tip of around 20% or more for normal service, then if you intend to be a repeat customer they will also usually adopt an attitude of making your normal service worse should you not provide them with that tip.

Answer 4

It would be easier if people selling services would simply quote the total amount they expect.  But some prefer to quote a lower amount and hope that some customers will add to it.  This only makes sense if they realize that some customers can't afford to tip as much as others.   So, the answer is that it's entirely up to you.

Answer 5

If you really liked her work, I would say 15-20%.

Answer 6

I probably would.  If you went to a salon to get it done, would you still tip?  True she may be making a killin by the prices she charges but you and others choose to go to her.  So, I'd say leave a 15% tip.  I would never leave a stylist 20% because I think they make decent money as it is.  10%-15% is good in my opinion.

Answer 7

You are never "required" to leave a tip.  If you are going to leave a tip, it is usually for employees who don't make much money.  Since she is the business owner, she receives all of the money you pay.  Therefore, there is no need to tip her.