Thursday, March 20, 2008

"Seriously, sweetie, you think this is acceptable?"

So, I have this interesting "semi-friend." I've done this friend's hair on a regular basis for over 2 years. Color. Weave. Cut. Extensions. Makeup and hair for photo shoots and fashion shows. You name it. We're casual friends. Our friendship was spawned thru a mutual friend. Ms. Semi-Friend burnt-well, no torched that bridge almost a year ago. It was not a pretty good-bye, to say the least. (Note: I never let their history affect our "friendship"). Back to the wierdness.... so, we're highlighting her hair and putting in extensions, like we've done I don't know how many times, and we're catching up and having a fabulous time and all that. When I'm finished and cleaning up, she's filling out the check and she's saying how much she loves her hair, like she always does. "How much do I owe you?" she says. I tell her the price which is $15 more than her usual price because we did a full weave instead of her usual partial weave this time because she was a medium brown going back to blonde. *AND she happens to get an decent discount because she's been a client for so long and she referred to me some amazing clients.* Anywho, she writes the check and asks why the price is more and I explain about the weave. Seeming to understand, she then starts examining her hair in the mirror while I finish cleaning up. All of a sudden, she doesn't think the color blends good enough and that the extensions aren't thick enough at the ends. (I've told her before, that's what happens when you buy the $30-hair instead of the hair that's $75 (@ Sally's). Wispy ends are the result unless you cut off at least 5 inches which she never wants to do because she wants as much length as possible). Again, I've been doing her hair for over 2 years and she has ALWAYS bought the $30-hair and has always been amazed with the outcome. Then she says, "Why isn't it darker underneath?" and continues coming up with a laundry list of bogus complaints and goes on to completely contradict what she initially told me she wanted done with her hair.....I'm thinking, "Damage control. Be a problem-solver." So, I ask what she specifically doesn't like about her hair so I can fix it and it's almost like she's not hearing me. Ms Friend goes on and on saying things like, "I mean, how could you not understand what I wanted? It's so simple?" and "Seriously, sweetie. Look at this, you think this is acceptable?" At the beginning, she showed me a picture of how she wanted her hair so I revert back to the picture to find where we went wrong. She continues to argue with me and tell me how she doesn't understand how there was a miscommunication. Note: I've been doing hair for almost 4 years now, and this is the first time I've had a client that didn't somewhat rave about how much they loved their hair. I think my track record is proof enough that I'm exceptionally good at communicating with others in the hair department. I've had a lot of practice in my 27 years;) After letting her vent, I show her the picture and say, "If you want [this], I can do [this]." Ms Semi-Friend has now turned into Ms Schizo-friend and comes at me with, "Honey, would you shut up about the damned picture?!".....Now, my temper flares up just a bit at that response. I'm a patient person but I have a hard time looking past being disrespected so undeservedly by anyone, let alone, someone I've hung out with and known for so long. I stifle screaming, "I'm a stylist, not a psychologist!" and continue to keep my composure while she repeats the same complaints and insults for another 4 or 5 minutes. Finally she says "I don't know what to do." I offer the simple solution again. She agrees. I "fix" it. She loves it again. ......Over 20 minutes of unnecessary and rude arguing on her part.
Now is it me, or after hearing this story do you think she is:
A. Crazy schizo
B. Trying to get out of paying
C. High on something
D. Confused and genuinely miscommunicated what she wanted or
E. Giving me what I deserved!
Inquiring minds want to know......

7 comments:

The Saudi Sandbox said...

I think she's trying to get out of paying more, but I'm proud of you. I would have decked her at "Shut up."

haireality said...

Trying to get out of paying. I pay $ 500 for a full weave.

Some People

Milissa Texas SuperMOM! said...

How could anyone not love what you do to their hair? I'm saying a b and c! Anyone that calls you "honey" and isn't related to you has a serious authority/nutso attitude, and should be put in a box. You're amazing! I'm with Joanne on the decking!

The Jimmy Harry Family said...

She trying to get out of paying more. She pulling the "let me rattle your cage and watch you back down" trick. I'm glad you stuck your ground. YOU GO GIRL! I've had my hairstylist of 8 years now and from experience it is worth the extra money to have some who knows what they are doing. From your pictures you are a hairstylist who know what you are doing. Besides, you can always pretend to be booked out for months and refuse service. Who needs clients like that?

Katie said...

Crazy, rude, manipulative and trying to get out of paying.



I really like the new blog layout, but what happened to my tunes?

Natalie said...

I don't know how you were able to compose yourself so professionally...I would have gone postal on her. It's interesting to see what "friends" are really like, huh! I'm sorry - I wish you lived closer so you could do my hair! I bet you are fabulous!

Garrett said...

oh my gosh, she is ridiculous! She is trying to get of paying!