Top 10 Salon Sins: Are You a Repeat Offender?

by Jackie Paulson © 2010

There are certain bad behaviors that salon employees see over and over again. They don't always
make for an outrageous story, but they're just as irritating. Are you guilty of any of these?

1.    Using the stylist’s scissors: “Sometimes clients will just grab our scissors and think they
can use them to cut tags or paper our scissors are very expensive because they’re well balanced,”

2.    Mistaking a salon for day care: “We see all kinds of incidents in here where parents think
we can just be babysitters ... I can’t cut hair and watch their kids too!

3.    Assuming the salon/spa is pet-friendly: All salons are not pet friendly, that is why they
have Animal spas, daycares, etc.

4.    Setting your expectations too high: “A lot of times, customers come in with a vision that
exists in fantasy land.” It is best to ask the experienced stylist what would work best for YOUR
hair type. Thus, you are able to maintain and you can afford and be less time consuming.

5.    Not tipping: “Sometimes people come in and maybe don’t know to tip or think that they
don’t have to tip. If you get a great service by all means, tip 20%! Even an owner deserves a tip,
they work hard too.

6.    Being indecisive: “It’s kind of a peculiar situation to be put in as a stylist, not knowing what
they want at all and just hoping it turns out for the best,” it is easier to ask the stylist for
suggestions but to have somewhat of a style idea to give the stylist.

7.    Badmouthing previous stylists: "It kind of makes you feel like you can’t win because this
person can’t be pleased. It sets a bad tone.” Guess what, the stylists at the salon all support each
other and will not bash other team members; you should phrase your disappointment in the
stylist another appropriate way.

8.    Sauntering in ... whenever: “People show up really, really late and don’t even consider
whether they can still be taken—they just expect that you’ll be able to fit them in without
impacting everyone with appointments behind them.” Just keep your appointments or cancel it.

9.    Chattering on your cell phone: “I had an attorney come in here once and give way too
much information about a case he was working on for the whole salon to hear. It’s just
inappropriate—I felt bad for the people involved, and everyone at the salon who had to listen.”
Do not use your cell phone while in the chair, anything can wait for 15 minutes!

10.    Being a total diva: “Sometimes celebrities or the extremely wealthy come in with just this
sense of entitlement—like they can just walk in the door for a four-hour hair and highlight
appointment whenever they want. We bend as much as we can, but sometimes their levels of
expectation are impossible.” Stylists do the best they can!