Category Archives: Black Hair

Above all else a business, no matter how big or small, should be efficient, professional, and customer friendly. My time and money is extremely valuable to me and I have no time for foolish people and their badly run establishments. Far too often I’ve had to ask for a manager, write a letter or walk out due to unprofessional treatment. Yesterday was no different.

I’ve written many posts about my obsession with my hair. (Read a few of them here and here ). I spend enormous amounts of time and money in hair salons getting my ”do” done. I have also dubbed myself an amateur stylist as I spend just as much time and money in front of my home mirror and under my dryer doing my own hair.

With all of that being said, black hair salons have to do better! I’m in Atlanta- the hub of black hair design.And the sub par salons I’ve dealt with are shameful, just shameful. I’m a simple, country girl with simple needs. All I want a stylist to do is arrive early, start my appointment at the appropriate time, and cut my hair the way I ask her to.

My current stylist (I shouldn’t say current as she just got fired yesterday) has arrived late for every single appointment- once she came in 45 minutes after our scheduled meeting time.  And when she strolls in she offers this pitiful, nonchalant apology as if I should be happy that her ass is willing to do my hair. Then, after coming in late she proceeds to tell me about her escapades in some nightclub the evening before- which is usually the reason she’s late.

Since I’m not a club person, this conversation is of no interest to me. I’d much rather talk about current events, books or travel. But I doubt she’d have anything to offer on these topics.

Moreover, when my daughter and I went to her for the first time I specifically told this chick that I did NOT want her to use a straightening comb on my baby girls hair. (Now, if you are reading this and you aren’t African-American I’m positive you have no idea what I’m talking about. But it’s OK, just keep reading). A few minutes into the appointment she comes to me and asks why I don’t want her to use a straightening comb. I told her because I don’t want my girl’s hair to start breaking off and getting thin. She went into this tirade about how professional she is and how her skills are excellent and yada yada yada. So, I broke down and told her to go ahead and do what she felt was best. Now, 7 months later my daughter’s hair is showing signs of breakage. It’s not nearly as thick as it used to be and I’m pissed. I can only blame myself. But damn, she’s the professional, right?

So, yesterday, I readied my daughter for her 10 am hair appointment. Just as we were walking outof the house at 9:30 I get a call from my stylist asking if we could change the appointment to 10:30. I was fuming but told her that 10:30 was fine. As to pass the time we drove around the Water’s Edge subdivision in Stone Mountain looking at houses. 10:25 I go into the salon. My stylist isn’t there. 10:40 I get pissed and start Facebooking and Tweeting about my morning. 10:55 I get up to leave and someone from the back of the salon yells “Your stylist just called, she’s outside!” I sit back down and wait to hear her lame ass apology. True to form she came in, looked at me and said “sorry ’bout that” and walks to her station. WTF?

I wish I could tell you that I profoundly cursed her out and got in my car still calling her every name in the book. But that would only be a fantasy. I allowed her to do my hair, and my daughters as she told stories about her weekend clubbing plans. I paid her, told her I didn’t want to make another appointment and left the salon.

I totally understand that not all black hair salons are like this but in the past two years I’ve had similar dealings with 4 salons in this area. I think I’ll just shave my head bald and call it a day!

This post is number 3 in my “30 Days of Blogging” series. Check back tomorrow for more!

Tweet