Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Here is your Tip.....

.....plant your corn early.

I recently witnessed a few unhappy encounters at my local nail salon. Not sure who owns and operates nail salons in your area but this particular incident occurred at a salon owned and operated predominantly by Vietnamese personnel.

This is pretty much status quo in the area that I reside. I have been frequenting this salon for a few years now and am extremely happy with all services provided to me. I also make sure I have an appointment and see the same nail tech each time. I believe this makes for a pleasant experience. As with all businesses of this nature, walk ins are welcomed. The patron did not have an appointment and was serviced by a very mild mannered woman who has very little control of the English language. Being of foreign descent myself, I do not condone the bad behavior of the client simply because she could not communicate effectively with the nail technician. Similarly, I can understand that perhaps the client felt slighted during her visit due to the constant dialogue in Vietnamese between her nail tech and the neighboring tech who was also working on a different walk in.

Certainly, if you feel snubbed because you cannot convey exactly what you like, then perhaps picking a salon with more English speaking personnel would be of some benefit. However, in this particular case, the salon has a non-Asian receptionist. He is completely fluent in English and is generally the liaison between the customers and technicians. If he can’t get the message across himself, he will seek the aide in another tech who can translate between customer and technician.

Perhaps the customer was having a very bad day. She really treated her tech with much disrespect and then announced to everyone within earshot that no tip would be offered due to sub standard service.

Now I ask you, if you are unhappy with the service being provided do you feel inclined to leave a tip? I ask this because several times I have heard horror stories of service oriented encounters where the customer is furious but still feels compelled to leave a tip. Why not stop the action, get the visit back on track and everyone is happy?

Thoughts? Questions? Concerns?

13 comments:

Margaret said...

I tend to leave a tip no matter what. However, if the service is crappy or downright rude, the size of that tip shrinks rapidly. I do tend to be assertive if something isn't going well. If it can be fixed reasonably and without attitude, then the tip will also reflect positively.

Sinful_Sweet said...

You know I've never really thought about it and you've really given me something to ponder on thanks... but I am a tipper regardless of what has happened because I have been in the service industry as well and everyone has bad days from time to time!

Anonymous said...

I went to a salon once and after getting cut twice during my pedicure, I actually told them to stop, paid my tab, but left no tip. I also never went there again and warned everyone I could to avoid it like the plague.

Ms. Megan said...

I am a fairly big tipper when service is average or above average and I still feel the need to tip someone even if service is poor just not as big...

Crazy Lady said...

I'm a tipper too - but what irritated me was the lady didn't tip because she couldn't talk to the tech? Really? Is she so self adsorbed that she needs to have 100% attention of a complete stranger? And the berate her when she didn't receive it?

The CEO said...

I don't get my nails done. I also didn't know you were Vietnamese. You niece looks very American to me. (We really need a martini already, even a quick one someplace lice that big mall, call for details)

Wicked H said...

Sophie: This is why we get along, peas in a pod.
Sinful: Thanks for the perspective.

Mutlupb: Word of mouth usually makes or breaks a business.

Ms. Megan: Me too.

Crazy: You are the only one who understood the premise of the post. That incident is what truly bothered me.

CEO: I'm not, but I get the joke!! Martinis sound like a great idea. I'll get in touch with you after I get back from vacay in a couple of weeks. Deal?

Nutcracker Sweet 54 said...

I too have been guilty of tipping when I have had poor service. Wicked, I'm sure you recall my tales of horror post waxing as I walked down the street bruised and battered looking like I had been dredged in flour ready to be fried, UGH!!!! That memory still infuriates me.

the fat girl said...

my opinion (at restaurants, beauty salons or any other establishments that call for tipping) is that:

1. if the service was terrible, don't tip at all.

2. if the service was mediocre, tip the minimum (this changes according what service you're receiving).

3. if the service was excellent, tip as much as you can.

The CEO said...

Deal.

Wicked H said...

NS54: Ha! I do remember the aftermath, I am surprised you are mentioning it here. Bravo, I say!

qualcosa di bello said...

i usually leave a tip no matter what (there is one exception, but that seems like a good blog post for the near future) & i vary the tip based on level of service. good service or reclaimed service after a mention of disatisfaction equals good tip; poor service equals poor tip (just because i don't want to the person to think i have forgotten the tip) no tip means i forgot & i have been known to go back & leave it. service industry personnel usually are not paid well & very much depend on their tips.

Anonymous said...

I always tip, but the amount depends on the service provided