by Ava, age 10, asks about hairdresser tips, the East River, and the Big Apple nickname
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa, from Brooklyn, New York. My name is Ava and I am 10 years old. My mom takes me to her hairdresser every year in December, and this year she stood at the counter with an envelope, muttering about how much to put inside, and I could not help but wonder about it the whole way home.
My first question is: how much should you tip a hairdresser at Christmas?
My second question is geography: what river runs alongside Brooklyn?
My third question is from school: why is New York City called the Big Apple?
I left you a slice of New York cheesecake and a coffee, black, the way my mom drinks it.
Love, Ava, age 10, Brooklyn, New York, USA
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Ava, that cheesecake did not survive the trip down the chimney, and the coffee kept me warm over the Atlantic. Now let me help settle that envelope question.
How much should you tip a hairdresser at Christmas?
In many places, especially in the United States, it is common to give a holiday tip to people who provide a regular service throughout the year, and a hairdresser is a classic example. A common guideline is the cost of one full appointment, though many people give somewhere between fifteen and twenty five percent of a typical visit, depending on how long they have gone to that stylist and what feels right for their budget. There is no single correct number, and any thoughtful tip, along with a kind word, is always appreciated. Your mom is simply following a very old and generous tradition of saying thank you.
What river runs alongside Brooklyn?
Brooklyn sits along the East River, which is not actually a true river but a tidal strait connecting Upper New York Bay to Long Island Sound. Across the water you can see the famous skyline of Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge stretches over it, twinkling with lights especially at this time of year.
Why is New York City called the Big Apple?
The nickname the Big Apple became popular in the 1920s, first used by horse racing writers who heard it from stable hands, and it later spread through jazz musicians who used it to mean the top place to perform, the biggest prize of all. By the 1970s the city officially adopted it in a tourism campaign, and the name stuck for good. It is a small phrase with a long and colourful journey, much like your city itself.
Tell your mom the envelope will make someone very happy, and I shall see you soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
