Your Phone Calls Waste Others’ Time
Q. I was getting my hair cut and my cell phone rang. I answered it and it was my office. The call was very important.
I asked the stylist to hold on for a second. The conversation probably went on for a few minutes. The stylist asked me to end the conversation. I was really shocked! I told her that my time is very valuable. She looked at me and said “Yes, well so is my time.” I was thoroughly embarrassed.
I don’t think I can ever show my face in that salon again! How would you feel if it happened to you? - Laura, Colorado
A. Just think about it for a second, OK? Everyone’s time is valuable. You were in a business. Think about the people out in the lobby waiting to get their hair done.
Their time is valuable too, or do you think that only your time is valuable?
If your call was that important and you needed time to talk , you should have told your stylist that you needed to talk to this person and it was very important. You could have told her that and it could take up some time, that if she needed to, go ahead and take the next person waiting.
That way you could have completed your phone call while someone else was taken care of. But shame on you for thinking only about yourself and that only your time is valuable.
Q. I am very upset. I give my 5-year-old daughter perms about every five months. Sometimes it takes and sometimes it doesn’t. Some areas take and some don’t. So I decided that I would take her to a salon. Boy, what a mistake!
They wanted me to sign a release form stating that it might not work. Also, they wasted 15 minutes telling me that she was too young to be getting a perm. That is my business, not theirs. Also, they said that her hair is not totally developed and it wouldn’t be until she goes through puberty. I don’t buy that!
They asked me if she could sit still for an hour and a half, and told me that it is really hard on kids to go through chemical treatments. I told them to just forget it and left. I’m not signing any release form. Why do they do that? - Gennie, Kansas
A. Excuse me, but they were right on the money. A child’s hair is not thoroughly developed until after puberty. A perm from a salon could turn out the same way it did at home. It may take and it may not. Some spots will take and some spots won’t. This is because the hair is not totally developed!
And yes, it is very hard for small children to sit in one spot for over an hour, not to mention that the chemicals are hard on their skin and the smell can be hard on them. The release form is there to protect the salon and should state that they have discussed the risks with you regarding a perm for a child. Bravo to the salon for being aware of the risks and doing their job. Young children should not be receiving chemical treatments.
Q. I went to check out this new salon my friend told me about. They serve wine and have a great atmosphere. The salon is so beautiful! During the time I was there, I consumed three glasses of wine. I paid for my service and went home and took a nap. Then I got up and took a shower, and went to do my hair. I couldn’t believe how awful the haircut was! I couldn’t curl it. It was so choppy. Where do I go for help? I always curl my hair and now I can’t. - Monique, Alabama
A. Call to speak with the manager of the salon. Don’t yell and be as calm as you can. Let them know that you feel the haircut is very choppy and that it is so uneven that you can’t curl it now. If they genuinely seem to care and truly listen to you, then listen to them tell you how they are going to rectify the situation.
If you’re uncomfortable about them fixing the haircut, tell them you just do not feel that would be appropriate at this time. Tell them you would prefer a refund if that is how you want to handle it.
Or, let the manager fix your haircut if you feel comfortable. Hopefully they will genuinely show you that they care and truly help you in this situation.