Salon Talk

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Well, I've had another stressful day at this place. It's bad enough that we are so short handed lately-The district manager from the company came in today to help us out. Now, I don't have a problem with this at all, I apreciate the help. Something happened today that just made me SO MAD.....This guy walked in, asking how long the wait was, and I said, check back in about half an hour. He said, half an hour? Now, I know from experience that when you give a definite time, and if you're wrong you get yelled at. So, to emphasize my point, I said, "well, check back, check back." Well, he looks at me, and says something like, I heard you the first time, ok??? I just drew back and looked at him, not responding, and he just shook his head and walked out. The DM then looked over, left her customer in the chair, and CHASED AFTER HIM!!! She then comes back, and has this angry look on her face, I asked her what happened, and she said, he's not a happy camper with you young lady! I'll talk to you later. Then, signed him in under her name. When I had time, I asked her to tell me what she wanted to tell me. She said this was not the first time he had spoken to me. One time he came in 6:00, asked for a haircut, and I told him no because I was to TIRED! Imagine that! What a lie that was, I don't even remember coming in contact with this person. If anything I told him the book was full, and I was by myself. Anyway, she did side with me saying this man was strange, but she was way out of line with how she handled it. First of all, I'm 31 years old. You don't call me young lady, or little missy or whatever she said in that tone. I hold the 2nd place in sales right under the manager. I could take my $3000+ a month total elsewhere. All I would allow myself to say to her was that she hurt my feelings saying what she said, before gettng my side of the story. She said she didn't mean anything derogortory against me, but my stomach felt sick all day. She is the type who has this phony pleasantness all the time, and this guy just ate it up. You would think that a MAN would be a little more thick skined than that! I just wanted to gag listening to them. I'm still angry about it, I just can't believe how an employer could side with a jerk over a valued employee. Well, I never would!

Funny, I had a similar situation at work. The owner of my salon has a problem with tone, and a tendency to insight anger rather than handle a situation. It was always my job to smooth over the ruffled feathers ( a skill I think I aquired from having two small children.) To make a long story short, it is hard to sevice the public and keep an air of professionalism all the time (especially when creepy people come in). There is a cure, it's called a receptionist. I know that you are understaffed, but it sounds like the next hire should be a desk person.

Oh I wish! That has been an issue for quite some time now. The fact is, they won't hire one. It's company policy. That, I know will solve all problems. It would be much easier if someone was there solely to handle inquiries. That way a big part of the load would be taken off us, and we could concentrate on who's in the chair at the time. And I love that part of it! Maybe if enough people get together, they will change their policies. A multi-million dollar company like that could certainly afford it. Of course I also have the option to go to greener pastures, but I would like to see this company change for the better.

LThere are such jerky people out there! A receptionist, would be the answer, but have you noticed that a lot of the strange and demanding people are our male clients? We have a lot of them and it is hard to deal with these guys!!! I had a strange one today, he wanted a hair cut fast, then he wanted to sit in the chair next to mine, I said, no. My equipment is here. He did not like that but knew I was right about that. I asked about his cut, he said, short, ok....... clipper? yes, what guard? short, ok........ I finally just cut the hair but he was an odd one and he is not the first odd one. I should write a book about odd male clients!! Believe it or not it used to be against the state laws to cut or style men's hair in salons!!! Hummm, I think we had something there!

LOL! People like that freak me out. You get someone really cool one time, and a jerk the next. I spoke to the new district manager about getting a receptionist (I'm glad the other one left, because I couldn't stand her!), and she said, believe me, we've been trying, but they're not going for it. Well, I say never say never! You can get 1,000 no's before you get a yes, and no can just mean not right now. Why don't we start a petition to change the policy and get a receptionist? Think of all the times we've had to be short talking to a potential client at the desk after we had to answer the phone! I'm sure if we all stuck together and demanded action, things might change. Now, who's with me???

Hey, I know things can get pretty stressful trying to manage your clients, while at the same time handle phone calls and walk-ins. But no matter who it is, how weird someone may be, or how totally wrong someone may have treated you, I always try to think of what their situation might be. You never know what their story is. So by trying to understand their struggles, and forget yours, you're able to have a more open heart towards other people and be less selfish. You definitely have to protect yourself first and foremost, but I have noticed such a positive influence in my salon by practicing those few principles. Even with weird clients that come in, I still try to accommodate them and treat them with respect, they'll never forget how you make them feel. That's the one big thing I try to stress at my salon is how we make EACH and every person that walks in the door feel important and welcome. Word of mouth is the biggest influence. My salon is booth rent, so with the girls all taking responsibility for their business, everyone pitches in to help pay for a receptionist. She is my absolute lifesaver! You can't afford NOT to have a receptionist.

Katie, you are 100% right. And I have to say that I've learned so much in many areas from this group. I've been realizing how important it is to try to understand someone, because I really want to be understood. Just the other day, I came in to work, and there was a woman waiting, and asked the other stylist, "does she cut hair?" In the past, my reaction would have been less favorable, but I said jokingly, "no, I'm just here for show". Well, everyone laughed, and I felt my mood lighten. She was leary because she was used to another girl who wasn't there, who had only been doing hair for a year. And I guess I could sometimes feel that after this many years, and as many clients that I have, I shouldn't be still having to sell myself. I put the feeling aside, and we had a nice conversation, and I found she was bi-polor. So, my point is nobody's perfect, and I'm sure far from it myself! I've also found that being more patient at work, makes not only clients feel good, but makes me feel better, and have a better day.

LOL! Yes, that's the chain. Unfortunately, I will have to deal with being here at this time because it's the only salon that generates this much business, and most people here don't have alot of money. The only other high traffic area would be a mall, which there isn't one locally. So, I continue to stick it out, and you bet I'm not giving up on changes for the better!

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