Tipping Hairdressers In Austria: What's The Norm?

Tipping culture varies across the world, and it can be confusing to know what to do when travelling to a new country. In Austria, tipping is voluntary and seen as a sign of satisfaction with the service. In restaurants, bars, and cafes, it is customary to tip between 5-10% of the bill, rounding up to the nearest euro. But what about when it comes to hairdressers?

Tipping hairdressers in Austria is expected

Tipping culture in Austria is similar to most Western countries, except North America, in that it is at the customer's discretion. However, it is expected that you will tip your hairdresser in Austria, and it is considered rude not to. This is because, in Austria, tipping is a sign of satisfaction with the service. If you don't tip, it is taken as a sign that you were dissatisfied.

The standard amount to tip in Austria is around 10%, which is similar to other countries like Germany and the UK. In a hair salon, if you have had a lengthy service, such as having your hair coloured, it is polite to tip 10%. You can simply round up to the nearest Euro, so if your service costs €18, you would hand over €20 and say, 'Passt schon so' (it's already fixed). You can also say ''Stimmt so' (keep the change) when paying the bill. If you are paying with a card, it is recommended that you give the tip in cash to ensure it reaches the right person.

In cafes, bars, and restaurants, you pay the tip when you first hand over the money. So, if the bill is €6.80, you would hand over a €10 note and say, 'seven euro fifty'. This is also the case for taxi drivers. It is also customary to tip porters, waiters and waitresses, and anybody who fixes anything in your apartment.

The usual tip is around 10%

Tipping culture in Austria is quite different from the US, where it is customary to tip for everything from good to poor service. In Austria, tipping is entirely at the customer's discretion and is only expected if you receive good service.

If your bill comes to €18, for example, you could hand over a €20 note and say, 'Passt schon so' ('it's already fixed'). Alternatively, you could say ''Stimmt so' ('keep the change') when paying. You can also let the server know how much you're paying by giving them a number when you order. If your bill is €12.50, and you want to add a 50-cent tip, you can say, 'mach mal Dreizehn, bitte' ('make it 13') or simply 'Dreizehn' ('13').

Tipping less than 10% can be done to express disappointment with the service. However, it's worth noting that the standard for what qualifies as good service in Austria may be lower than in countries like the US and UK, where there is more of a focus on upselling and turning tables around quickly. In Austria, waiting staff tend to take a more hands-off approach, only approaching your table if you ask for something.

You can pay the tip in cash or card

Tipping culture in Austria is similar to most other Western countries, where it is at the discretion of the customer. If you receive good service and want to show your appreciation, you can choose to leave a tip (known as "Trinkgeld" in Austria). The standard amount to tip in Austria is around 10%, similar to other countries like Germany and the UK.

When it comes to paying the tip, you can pay in cash or by card. If paying in cash, it is common to round up the bill to the nearest Euro as a tip. For example, if the bill is €9, you can round up to €10. If paying by card, you can ask if you can add a tip to the total amount or simply pay the bill and give some coins or notes as a tip. It is also customary to give the server the total amount, including the tip, when handing over your payment. For example, if the bill is €6.50, you can hand over a €10 note and say "eight", indicating a €1.50 tip.

In Austria, tips are traditionally given in cash, and it is often recommended to give a cash tip even when paying by card. This ensures that the tip goes directly to the intended recipient. However, it is not considered rude to pay a tip by card, especially for larger amounts, as long as it is not too far below 10%.

So, whether you're paying in cash or by card, don't forget to show your appreciation for good service with a tip!

Tips are given upon receipt of the bill

Tipping culture in Austria is similar to other Western countries, except for North America, in that it is at the discretion of the customer. It is customary to tip around 10% in Austria, which is in line with other countries like Germany and the UK.

When it comes to hairdressers, tipping is expected. If you are sitting for several hours to have your hair coloured, it is polite to tip 10%. This can be done by rounding up the bill and paying in cash, or by asking for the tip to be added to the amount on the card. For example, for a €15 haircut, you could tip €2. It is also acceptable to give the server a number when you order, so they know how much you are tipping. If the bill is €12.50, and you want to tip €0.50, you can say "mach mal Dreizehn, bitte" or "Dreizehn", meaning "make it 13" or simply "13".

Tipping is usually done upon receiving the bill. It is considered rude to leave the tip on the table. Instead, tell the server the total amount you wish to pay, including the tip, when handing over your payment. In cafes, bars, and restaurants, the tip is paid in the initial amount handed over. For example, if the bill is €6.80, you would hand over a €10 note and say "seven euro fifty".

It is worth noting that tipping culture in Austria is not as embedded as in the US and Canada, and it is not common to tip at the reception desk. Tipping is also usually done in cash, even when paying by card, to ensure the tip reaches the right person.

Tipping culture in Austria is different from North America

In Austria, tipping is most common in restaurants, bars, and cafes. While some sources suggest that tipping is expected in these settings, others claim that it is not obligatory. However, if you don't tip, it may be considered a sign that you were dissatisfied with the service. When tipping, Austrians normally add 5-10% to the bill, rounding it up to a convenient number. For example, if the bill is €9, you would round up to €10. It is important to note that in cafes, bars, and restaurants, you should pay the tip along with the initial amount you hand over, not leave it on the table after paying the bill.

Tipping is also common for service providers such as taxi drivers, hotel staff, hairdressers, and anyone who provides a service in your home, such as a plumber or cleaner. Again, the general guideline is to tip around 10% or round up to the nearest euro. For example, when tipping a hotel porter, give €1 for each piece of luggage they carry. In a hair salon, if you have received several hours of service, such as a hair colouring treatment, it is polite to tip around 10%.

In some cases, tipping may be less expected but still appreciated. For example, you may encounter tip jars in places like bakeries, mechanics' workshops, or even a gynaecologist's reception desk. These tips are usually collected to buy coffee and cake for the staff, and there is no obligation to contribute.

It is worth noting that tipping culture in Austria may vary regionally, with tips in rural areas being lower than in urban areas. Additionally, while tipping is traditionally done in cash, if you are paying by card, you can ask to add a tip to the total or give the tip directly in cash to ensure it reaches the right person.

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