How to Tip a Barber if You're Paying With a Credit Card

Tipping a barber is a courtesy that shows the customer’s appreciation for the quality of the haircut. Some barbers do not accept tips no matter how hard the customer tries. Using a credit card to pay the barber does not necessarily mean that the person cannot still leave a tip.

• Find out if the barber you are going to accepts tips. Ask the barber when you call to make the appointment, or ask a friend who uses the same barber if you can leave a tip. 20 percent is a good figure to use when tipping a barber, depending on whether or not you like the quality of the haircut.
• Take a few dollars with you even if you are going to pay for the haircut on your credit card. Once the barber finishes cutting your hair, if you like the way it looks just leave the tip in cash. Look around the barber shop to see if there is a tip jar to leave the money in or hand the barber the cash after you pay for the haircut on your credit card.
• Tip the barber on your credit card. If you forget to bring cash with you, add the tip to the credit card total. Make sure the barber knows you are leaving the tip on the card, especially if you normally tip in cash.  
• Go to an ATM machine to get some cash for the tip if you do not want to include it on your credit card. After you pay for the haircut on your credit card, tell the barber that you will be right back. Go to the closest ATM machine to get some cash to tip the barber.
  
• Tip the barber the next time you get a haircut. Let the barber know that you do not have any cash and that you will leave a double tip the next time you get a haircut. Most barbers will appreciate that you even take the time to discuss the tip, so you should not feel bad for delaying the tip until your next haircut.