First, a big THANK YOU to MonChiChiChick, who gave me a jingle from MO and gently reminded me that I hadn't blogged recently. She also caught me up on her latest doin's with MonChiChi. Hugs to you both and Miss Polly!
As I have mentioned before, finding a decent hair stylist is pure torture. It's worse than finding a good OBGYN because NOBODY knows if you got a bad pap smear, but EVERYBODY knows if you're shopping for stylists because you've had a crappy coloring job!
Since I have finally located a stylist who does a good job (I'll call her 'Queen Bee', I'm afraid to antagonize her in any way because I need to know that I have a place to go when I need a good cut and a highlight job. It's like a security blanket. (I get queasy thinking about having to search for a new stylist...) I don't want her to fob me off on an underling or refuse to book me because she's upset. She's already mentioned my icky Michigan accent ("So nasal!"). ?!?!?!
My stylist is the owner of a well-established shop that has been in town a long time. She has 12 stylists working with/for her, and the customer wait list is pretty long. Unfortunately, she doesn't let ANY of her customers forget this fact--ever. I feel like I need to enter the shop on my knees!
In addition to having the 'aren't you lucky you get your hair cut by me' attitude, she is the center of all local gossip and news. ALL the dirt that IS the dirt goes through this woman's shop--usually while I am having her work on my hair. People show up to pay her homage during all hours of the day, phone calls roll in constantly. I now know her family history, her ex-husband's family history, her neighbor's adventures, and pretty much all the slander in a 3-county radius. It's really like being trapped in a poorly written Faulkner knock-off novel. The quote of quotes from my past Saturday's haircut--from her long-divorced sister who stopped by to "chat" for 40 minutes-- "MEN? Girl... I ain't got TIME for men. Who needs 'em? Smelly things..."
Apparently, the sister has hygiene issues.
Another stylist's customer had the AUDACITY to interrupt Queen Bee's work on my hair by asking a question about a makeup stick that she was interested in purchasing from the front sales case. Queen Bee heard the question and IGNORED THE WOMAN. Just gave her the 'cut direct'. The woman groveled, saying "Ummmmm... I can come back later if you're busy..." But Queen Bee just continued to ignore her. How dare someone interrupt her with a BUSINESS QUESTION!?!?! Only long-time intimates with good gossip were to be tolerated.
It was really horrifying, watching the woman squirm...and squirm...and squirm. Waiting... Did I say anything??? NO F'N WAY! I kept my Damn Yankee mouth shut and said nothing that might antagonize Queen Bee. Not a thing. Cowardice? You betcha! I'm not giving up a good foil job for anything.
I guess I've just got to suck it up. What do you think?
3 comments:
Having just gone through this same thing myself (I hhave to go back for a re-do) it's VERY hard to find a good stylist! YES, I'm afraid you must suck it up. Finding a good one is like findng gold in a pile of... well, you know.
Miss Polly sends snorts and licks your way!
I have a little more power over my hairdresser, but it took me a while to get it.
I give him outlandish tips and pay him in cash (which he prefers) which now assures me appointments any time I want them. If I need my hair done, he'll come in early or stay late for me! He'll work me in, in between other clients. He makes sure I have the right trashy magazines to read under the hair dryer. He brings me water or lemonade or Diet Coke. He compliments my tattoos and makes sure there's lots of purple in my black hair dye. I love this man.
Tip your diva well and you can be the Queen Bee of the customers!!
Having once received a sympathy on your bad hair cut card, I say kiss up to her. LOL
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