Beauty Salons
I wish I were one of those women who love going to the beauty salon.
I love it when I just got my hair cut or highlighted, but I hate the whole process of it. I will put off getting my hair done until I can't stand it anymore and then reluctantly make an appointment.
Assertive
I'm an assertive person. I don't have a problem standing up for myself or being straightforward about what I want. But, man, that changes when I'm sitting in a chair with my hair all wet and someone standing over me with scissors. I end up agreeing to things that I don't want or instead of asking for something I do want, I just clam up. What's up with that? I mean I'm not like that any other time. The last two times I got my hair done, I had bad experiences. One refused to blunt cut it because he said it wouldn't look right. The other said she couldn't cut my hair any shorter on top. But, instead of arguing, here's what I said: "Ok."
Attitude
Every so often I come across a stylist with an attitude. The one who thinks he or she is the new Paul Mitchell. Come on, you went to beauty school and you cut hair. It's not THAT glamorous of a job. I'm not putting down hair stylists, it's a job and they have the right to be proud of their work. But I don't need a prima donna doing my hair.
Fumes
The smell of hair chemicals makes me nauseas. This happened the last time I got my hair cut because I was seated between two women getting color treatments. I felt sick and went to the bathroom. When I came back, I apologized to the stylist, and in a very caring way she asked me if I was bulimic (oh...for christ's sake). I told her it was the smell, but I felt like she didn't believe me, and she kept giving the other stylist a "look." So whatever, they can think I'm bulimic if they want. Just cut my hair so I can get out of here.
Small Talk
Some women are friends with their hair stylists and tell them every personal detail of their lives. I don't. But, I feel required to at least make boring, small talk. What I really want is to sit there, not talk, and get my hair done. I recently started bringing a book or magazine with me and that helps, and sometimes, I think they're glad they don't have to do the small talk either.
Tipping
I wish we could do away with tipping, period. Who invented tipping anyway? Business owners who don't want to pay their employees more? I'm already paying for the service, so why am I required to pay extra? I'm not cheap. I tip well, but I don't understand why I have to do it. However, my biggest pet peeve is when I leave someone a big tip and they barely acknowledge it. Like, yeah, ok, thanks, now get the hell out. Hey, show some appreciation because I didn't have to leave that much and I could have used that extra money for myself.
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I'm about ready to call and make a hair appointment for a cut and highlights/lowlights, and I'm trying out a new salon. I decided this time things are going to be different. I'm going to be more assertive. I'll be nice, but I am getting what I want. If I tell them to cut it short on top because it's easier to manage, but they disagree and say it will curl up, either they cut it the way I want or I'm walking out. I know my own hair. I know what it does and how it looks best. If they do a shitty job, they get a measly tip. And if it's really shitty, no tip.
Does that sound bitchy? Oh well.
