(I am having my hair done in a salon that is just off a very busy shopping street. It is just after 4:30 in the afternoon, when a woman breezes in, carrying a lot of shopping bags.)

Client: “Hello! I have an appointment with [stylist].”

Receptionist: “Do you? I think his client is already here. Can I get your name?”

Client: “It is [name].”

Receptionist: “Ah, I see why there’s some confusion. Your appointment was for 2:00 this afternoon.”

Client: “Yes!”

Receptionist: “And it’s 4:30 now.”

Client: “Yes!”

Receptionist: “So, you’re a bit late.”

Client: “But, he knew I was going to be late!”

Receptionist: “Oh, sorry. Did you ring to let him know?”

Client: “No, but he should have known.”

Receptionist: “Sorry, how should he have known?”

Client: “He knows how beautiful I am, and there are all sorts of sales going on right now. You shouldn’t have your salon here if you don’t know that beautiful people, like me, are going to need to buy things for the summer! I mean, really!”

Receptionist: “I’m very sorry, but your appointment time has passed. Maybe you can wait? [Stylist] is with another client right now.”

(She points to me.)

Client: *suddenly very angry* “Her? But she’s so ugly! It won’t make any difference if she has her hair done. Beautiful people should have their hair done first! The ugly ones should wait!”

(She approaches my chair and tries to remove the foil for my highlights.)

Receptionist: “Madam, I’m going to have to ask you to leave right now. You can’t speak to other clients like that!”

(The woman continues trying to pull me out of the chair. She is hustled out of the salon by a group of stylists and customers, leaving all her bags behind.)

Client: *going out the door* “The ugly ones should waaaaaait!”

Customer: “Hello, I’d like to make a complaint.”

Me: “Okay, how can I help you?”

Customer: “I had my hair done with you, and I’m not happy.”

Me: “I’m terribly sorry about that. What appears to be the problem? I’d love to help you.”

Customer: “Well, I had blonde highlights, but it’s just gone very dark at the roots.”

(I take the customer’s name and have a look at her record.)

Me: “It says your last visit was four months ago.”

Customer: “Yeah, so?”

Related:
Getting To The Root Of The Problem

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(I am having my hair done and overhearing a conversation between a mother, her daughter, and the hairdresser.)

Hairdresser: “Oh dear… sweetie.”

Child: “What is it?”

Hairdresser: “I’m afraid I can’t cut your hair today.” *to the mother* “Excuse me, ma’am?”

(The mother ignores the hairdresser and talks on her mobile phone.)

Hairdresser: “Excuse me.”

(Mother continues to ignore her.)

Hairdresser: “Ma’am!”

Mother: “What!? Can’t you see I am on the phone?”

Hairdresser: “I am sorry, but I’m afraid I can’t cut your daughter’s hair.”

Mother: “What do you mean you can’t cut my daughter’s hair?”

Hairdresser: “I’m very sorry, but it is against store policy to cut anybody’s hair if they have lice.”

Mother: “Lice!? She can’t have lice! She goes to a private school!”

Caller: “Do you have a stylist who specializes in blonde hair?”

Me: “We have several expert colorists, yes. Would you like to make an appointment?”

Caller: “Oh, I’m not looking for a colorist! Just someone who knows how to cut blonde hair.”

(I am cutting the hair of an eighty-six-year-old man. He asks if I’m from the area, and I tell him I live in an apartment building nearby.)

Customer: “So, you live there with your husband?”

Me: “I live there with my boyfriend and my best friend.”

Customer: “You live with your boyfriend?”

Me: “Yep.”

Customer: “And you’re not married?”

Me: “Nope.”

Customer: “But you live together?”

Me: “Right.”

Customer: “I’ve never heard of that before.”