If you have a newfound interest in body piercings and are curious about optimal piercing parlor etiquette, you must have a lot of questions. Do you carry your own jewelry? Do you negotiate prices? Do you reward piercers? Well, today we are going to address gratuity decorum as most people are not aware if such a practice is appropriate in the industry. According to growing consensus, tipping piercers is permissible and may even help establish a good, wholesome rapport with your piercing expert. It helps you express your gratitude and enhances your piercer’s day! Tipping is not strictly customary. But it may be seen as a normative practice, particularly if you wish to continue interacting with the artist whose work you have grown to revere. That said, determining out how much to compensate them can get challenging. That is where this article comes to the rescue. Keep reading to learn everything about tipping etiquette at piercing establishments.
Do You Tip Piercers?
Piercing is an art, and just like any other service industry, patrons should consider tipping their piercing artists. There are several reasons behind this suggestion, such as:
- A lot of time, labor, and effort goes into piercing, particularly if you are opting for one involving a complex procedure such as a helix piercing or a daith piercing.
- Body piercing requires technique, expertise, and a comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy.
- Piercers also spend a lot of hours selecting the right jewelry, searching for reference photographs, and comprehending and customizing the piercing for clients.
- Most artisans go through extensive professional training to learn the craft and ensure a successful piercing for their clientele.
- They also have to pander to a lot of expenditures involved behind the scenes, which involve renting or buying their piercing establishment, procuring supplies, paying for their staff, etc.
Therefore, when asked, “Should you tip your piercer?”, we say yes, as customer gratuities are a method to demonstrate appreciation for the service rendered during the consultation and the actual piercing procedure. Tips are also seen as a courteous method to demonstrate gratitude and are always encouraged by piercing artists.
Factors To Consider Before Tipping Piercers
When it comes to tipping decorum, there are several factors to bear in mind regardless of the type of piercing you get. Here is what you can consider:
Quality
- Consider the quality of service provided by your professional piercer. Ask yourself, was the piercing procedure comfortable? Did the piercer take time to brief you through the piercing procedure and aftercare instructions? Did you feel heard during the process? Think about your overall personal experience as a means to gauge how much you should tip.
Complexity Of The Piercing
- If the body modification you are having done is complex and involves a lot of customization, you should certainly consider tipping. Challenging piercings such as genital or nipple piercing require a higher level of expertise and precision and a lot more creativity and effort than other piercings.
Time
- Consider the time devoted on the procedure. If they took extra time to make adjustments, give you feedback, or just put you at ease for a comfortable tattooing experience, then consider all these things when deciding the final gratuity.
Expertise
- If your piercer is experienced, operates a reputable piercing studio with widely acknowledged work, and has a lot of certifications and awards to their credit, consider paying them a higher gratuity.
Personal Connection
- If you relished the piercing experience, are satisfied with the outcome, and have developed a good rapport with your piercer, it is preferable to communicate that by tipping.
Assistance
- If the piercer has helped you decide on the placement and type of jewelry, was exceedingly patient with you, offered you follow-up support, and went above and beyond to accommodate to your requirements, you should tip them.
Price Of The Service
- Consider the overall piercing cost. If you feel it is reasonably charged and are satisfied with the work, you can determine giving a tip.
Geographical Location
- Piercing decorum guidelines and practices can vary from place to place contingent upon the expense of living, and so can the price and expectation for the same. Do a bit of research about the regional norms and cultural practices in existence.
Studio Policies
- When it comes to gratuities, some piercing studios may have specific policies or regulations in place, which one needs to be mindful of. They might have a no-tipping policy, have well-established guidelines on tipping percentage, or just might include gratuity in their overall pricing. It is crucial to familiarize yourself and keep yourself informed about established standards and policies of the studios to avoid receiving any complications on the day of the piercing appointment.
Budget
- Piercing is an investment and hence one should incorporate in the budget. It is suggested to consider giving a tip solely based on what works best for you and your budget.
Why Should You Tip Your Piercer?
Though providing a tip after having a piercing job done is not compulsory, it is often seen as a gesture of gratitude and may convey to the piercer that they have done an exceptional job. Also, piercing is a form of body modification that if done incorrectly or by a novice piercer can have negative consequences. Professional piercing requires a certain expertise, know-how, and practice. It requires time to acquire the technique and it follows stringent safety practices, which cannot be accomplished through back-alley piercing.
Hence, it is a great idea to tip piercing artists who guarantee outstanding piercing service and make efforts to avoid potential risks. Also, these piercers generally use high-quality expensive products and endure vigorous training to deliver satisfactory and secure services. They know what they are doing and treat their task seriously.
How Much To Tip Piercers?
If you have decided to contribute, then the next stage is to determine precisely how much you want to add to the overall expense of piercings. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the consensus in the piercing community is somewhere around 15%-20% of the total cost which includes piercing and jewelry. However, this number is a baseline and there is no such thing as the one-size-fits-all approach in guidelines for compensating piercers. If you believe that they have done an extraordinary job and necessitate a higher gratuity, you can give them 25%-30% of the total expenditure.
To Tip Or Not To Tip?
Whether you are going for a fundamental piercing or a complex one, gratuity is something that should be on your mind. Many piercers often work on minimum wages, and percentage cuts without insurance or commission, so they rely on gratuities for their income. Also, it is seen as a source of encouragement for piercers to continue their endeavors. However, if you do not want to give gratuities on a monetary basis, consider using kind words, gestures, personalized gifts, or giving positive online reviews on the piercing studio’s website page. Further, if you have a good reach on your social media platform, you may consider making a video review and giving them a commendation.
