To tip or not to tip...?

I never give tips. Nobody tips me when I do my job. The practice of tipping encourages low wages and in such places as hairdressing salons the staff are paid badly and are expected to make up their wages by earning tips. If nobody tipped they'd leave or ask for more. Prices should include all costs including gas, electric, rents and wages. I bet the Salon doesn't reduce it's prices because it pays low wages. Not only;y that but you are PAYING for the service you get. No doubt some staff get paid more than you. As far as it being a contest prize then accept it with good grace , thank the staff and leave without tipping. The radio station will have paid in full, with or without tips, for the prize so there's no need for you to contribute. If the staff don't like it ... tough. Besides they won't be coming to you with a bill will they so there's no need to carry any cash with you.

Congratulations on winning the contest! I understand the single mom angle, however I also know that - even in the high-end salons, the people working there do so as their livelihood. You should at least tip something. If you feel you are not going to be able to tip what you think is appropriate, take a batch of cookies in with you or something and explain (if you want - or don't) that you won this and although you would like to tip higher you cannot - and so you are bringing cookies (or whatever) in addition to the amount you are able to give. I say in addition to, because nobody wants to work for free. It would be nice if the radio station would tip as well, but unfortunately that's above and beyond expected.

:) Enjoy your spa day! (slightly jealous over here - hehe)

tipping i thought is a way for the person being served to show appreciation. You normally would've paid for the service already anyway. You would be expected to tip in situations you otherwise would. If you feel like you will go back to the service on your own, you definitely would consider tipping the people providing the service. Tipping would ensure your experience is a bit better than if you didn't. Unless you don't tell them in advance this is covered by someone else (radio station).

But if it's dinner for 2, or maybe I'd love to have my hair done by a pro, take me along and I will take care of tipping ;)

Contests generally mean that the item has been paid for and does not include a tip. People who provide a service; haircut, other salon personnel, waiters and waitresses generally work hard for low wages, and a tip for good service can be very important to them. It is also a good way for them to tell if they are doing a good job or not. Congratulations and have a fun day!

CERTAINLY the radio station will notcover this

well if you tip them there is a chance that they would remember you in future with a good impression on you

otherwise "that stingy idiot" would certainly be their immediate feeling about you

This is a no-brainer. Of course you must tip.

These service providers get paid so little, it is the tip that keeps them going. Don't rob them of their earning.

Oh, on the % - be generous. (after all you are not paying for the service). 15% of the total charge is about the minimum. Plus, they don't concern themselves as to who pays for the bill, (radio station in this case), but it is the tip what tells them whether they are appreciated or not.

Probably a better way to find out is to ask the Radio Station you won it from, not Yahoo Answers

express this to the person at the salon doing your service and give her a 20$ tip at least and let her know she may not even take it and know she is making someone happy and doing a good deed to someone who cant afford it but offer somthing and explain I think they will understand,I would..

Definately tip. Tip what ever is normal for the service you are being given - as long as it was good service.

You need to use some of the prize money to tip and if you spend it all then you definitely need to use your own money.