I’m Being Petty?

Reader Submission

Myself and Tech A were doing a large party of teen girls on Saturday.  We both could only work to a certain time due to other plans.  Tech B was also working, but was fully booked.  Myself and Tech A were booked tight and these appointments were made over a month ago. 

Two days before the appointments, the host called to see if she could add two more people.  I explained that Myself, and Tech A were totally booked with their party as well as Tech B, who would also be there.  Imagine my surprise when I come in to work on Saturday and receive a call from the host to see which type of appointment was available for the two add-ons since we were doing hands or feet and it depended on if a pedicure chair was open.

I was confused since I specifically told her that we didn’t have anywhere to add two more people.  She replied that she had called earlier and that Tech B said it would be okay.  So, I ASSUMED that Tech B had an opening and put them in with her.  I checked the book and NO, there was no indication that two people had been added to our very busy schedule for that day.

I asked Tech B about it and she said, yes, I told them to bring them, someone could do them.  I asked WHO was doing them and she just looked at me like what a dumb question.  I asked where they were in the book, she said she didn’t write them in because she had no idea what the plans were for that group.  Again, I asked who is doing them.

To top it all off, Tech B had a cancellation and moved her last two people UP so she could leave early.  SHE could have serviced the two add-ons that SHE said we could do.  NOPE. She left early and I had to stay an hour over and I was late for the concert I was going to.

Tech B has the nerve to say I over reacted and was being petty.  Really?  Oh and I am the salon owner.

Signed, So I am Being Petty???

Disappointed In My Mentor

Reader Submission

I’ve wanted to write this and send this to you for sometime now.  Recently things have gotten so out of control, I have no choice, but to write this all down and vent.  Anonymously, of course.

When I was a brand, new nail tech, I found a mentor online.  She lived hours from me, but she was willing to help me online.  She guided me in the beginning of my career and for that I am forever grateful. 

Through the years, I progressed in my career and my skills.  My mentor did not.  It came to a point where I surpassed her.  I am not being conceited.  It’s a fact and one that is noticed by others.  I have tried to pass on to her, what I’ve learned.  She is older.  She is stubborn and I am finally able to admit this to myself, she is jealous.

She has recently been very horrible to me, not directly, but I am not stupid.  She has talked behind my back to people who are mutual friends.  These friends have shared with me the things she is saying about me.  Things that are totally not true.  She is saying these things to get people to not like me to make herself look superior.  What is interesting, is that instead of that happening, these people are true friends to me and are telling me what she is doing and what she is saying.

I can’t tell you how disappointed this makes me.  This is someone who I looked up to.  Someone who I admired.  Now, she is someone that I pity.

I pity her because she can’t see how mean and hateful she is being.  I pity her because she can’t see what a hypocrite she is when she puts down others for being mean and being bullies, yet she is one and the same.  I pity her because she can’t see that she is stuck in the past and she needs to move into the future, yet she is too stubborn to do so.  I pity her because instead of taking offers to help or take suggestions from others, she has to discount every single thing that others say.  She has to one up others constantly.

I will take this as my final lesson from my mentor.  This is a lesson of what NOT to be.  I will never be a person that is jealous of someone that I helped, just because they turned out to exceed me in skills.

Sincerely,

Disappointed in my Mentor

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 15

Here's a lil reminder...some clients just CAN'T be told everything you do for them. Fabulous stylist, mistaking her client for an educated client...discussed her work while styling: "This time your low lights are still looking good, so we didn't need to redo those, so I broke your base and threw some nice highlights up on top to blend that base in." Client only heard "no need to redo low lights"....and texts me (the person who does her lashes) on Sunday morning...at 5:45a.m. multiple texts ranting about how her hair looks like she did it herself--it's "all the same color, no variation"... Wrong on soooo many levels! Sunday? 5:45am? (get a life!) I am not your hair stylist!

I did not reply...Sunday is my sacred day and I do not do business that day. Sunday night at 8:30 I get another long rambling set of texts...and copies of the same texts she'd sent to the stylist. Holy crap! I waited til the next day (still my day off...but still....) to say that the stylist is extremely talented and I am sure she used her professional eye to be sure the color looked great, but if your eye is not pleased, I am sure she will be happy to tweak it. Sheesh!
******
Phone Conversation: Me: What days/times are you available?
Client: Any day after 4:00.
Me: How about today at 4:30?
Client: No it's my mother's birthday
Me: How about tomorrow at 5:00?
Client: No, I have kick boxing.
Me: How about Friday at 3:30?
Client: No I have to get my car inspected on Friday.

WHAT PART OF THE QUESTION DID SHE NOT UNDERSTAND????
******
You work the same days and times each week.  Your children are adults.  Why do they need to call you 10 plus times a day.  It's ridiculous.  If it's an emergency, have them call the salon, shut your ef'n phone off!!!!!!
Laziness is not a becoming quality to have.


I am sorry that you don't like the color that you have on, that you decided an hour later that you can live any longer if it is on your toes.  You picked it.  I will not redo it for free.  Choose you color more wisely next time.


People who can't take constructive criticism, or can't be open to suggestions will not have a clientele for long.


I AM A CLIENT!  I am sick and tired of you talking on your cell phone while you are doing my nails.  "I" am paying for your time.  I am not paying you to talk on the phone and multi-task by doing my nails.  It's incredibly rude and I am not going to put up with it again.  The next time you answer your phone, I am going to pull my hands away and  give you privacy for your phone call.  You can continue working on me when you end your call.


Why can some people not see how incredibly filthy their station is.  Just take a few minutes to clean your station.  It makes a world of difference.


Some need to quit making excuses for their client's nails being a mess when they come in.  If it was one or two clients, you can blame them for not taking care of them.  When nearly all of your clients are a mess, it's time to start looking at yourself.  YOU are the problem.  You need to figure out what you are doing wrong and correct it.  Stop passing the buck onto the client.


I am so glad we got WiFi in the salon.  Now some are doing even less than they did before.  Instead of doing things that need to be done like returning phone calls or restocking things, we are playing games.  Lovely.


If you don't want that string, hair, fuzzie or whatever it is that you are picking off of yourself, on your body, I sure as hell don't want it on my floor.  Throw it in the trash.


A COWARD is someone who posts on Facebook with passive aggressive, cryptic status messages.  Grow a pair.
Those who criticize others are usually lacking in the same areas that they are criticizing in.


Those shortcuts that you are taking to do the client as fast as you can, so you can get on FB are going to bite you in the ass in two weeks.


I am so sorry that I filled your two hour gap with a full set of nails and bling toes.  I guess you didn't want the $120 in services, you wanted to go run errands.  Are you here to work or not?  Now if you were still open, you would be bitching that you had gaps.  I can't win.  Do you want to work or not????

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 14

Is it really necessary to call six times about a simple manicure and pedicure appointment over three weeks.  THEN, call and cancel that appointment the day of the appointment.  Why did you waste all of our time on all of those phone calls only for you to cancel.  Go someplace else next time.

I am really sick and tired of people asking for one service and booking it and when they get in your chair, they want something totally different than what you discussed on the phone.  Are people drinking stupid juice?

Thank you so much for coming in for a full set of nails on with NSS “Shellac” already on your nails and not letting us know you had it on and it needs to be removed.  You have colored gel on your nails, which we finally figured out 30 minutes into your appointment when it would not soak off.

Person leaves a message, we call back and leave a message, person calls back to confirm message, we have to call back again, person calls back to confirm message again.  How about you listen to the message and understand it.  No need for all these unnecessary messages and call backs.

Do you really think we can discuss nail options via text???

So, you thought your appointment was at 2, when it was at noon, yet the text you received, and that you agreed to, clearly states noon.  But this was a misunderstanding?  Um, no, it’s a no show and you owe a fee.

I love when things grow legs and run away in the salon, without anyone seeing it.

Reader Submissions 14

oh oh oh I have one.... no you can not buy a jar of the acrylic powder(custom blended colour that I made up because you didn't like any of the existing 5 colour options for your nail bed) from me so that if you go to another tech you will have the colour you love.  I'm not the only one who has noticed your negative attitude about everything either- we've had clients ask not to be booked in for their hair or nail appointments when you are in for an appointment because your moaning gave them a headache.  Yes I realise I am moaning now but I'm about to go to work to do your nails, then a deluxe pedi and then your waxing- I have you for the next 2-3 hours *shudders* 

So it's okay for you to move your appointment around constantly, but it's not okay for me to be sick and have to stay home in bed?

Please quit bathing in your perfume.  You smell like a French whore and you make everyone in the salon sick when you come in.

Flush the toilet.  You are not five.

When a client comes in and is totally going on and on about how horrible their last salon was, it makes me want to never rebook them because it's just a matter of time before I am the subject of that same story.

If you have been to four different salons and had problems with your nails, what makes you think I have a magic wand to make things successful?  After FIVE different techs work on you, it is obvious that YOU are the problem.

I cringe when I hear my co-worker ask "Do you want change back?"  Never ask for a tip.  Just give the person their change and let them give you a tip if they want to.  Worse is when she takes a credit card and asks "Do you want to put a tip on here?"   There are much better ways to handle these things.

Pretend manicurists are really starting to piss me off.

Hey crazy, take your crazy and find someone else to put up with your crazy.

Manufacturers - You REALLY need to make your items acetone resistant!  We use acetone for crying out loud.  I am sick to death of paying top dollar for your stuff only to have it ruined by a tech that is sloppy with her acetone.

Thank you big, expensive, nail manufacturer for charging me an arm and a leg for a brush, that all of the hairs fall out and then tell me that I didn't take care of it right.  I've been doing nails for 10 years and never had a problem with a brush like this.

Reader Submissions 13

You are not all that.  You may think you are, but you are not.  Anyone can be anyone they want online and it is clear that you are not what you think you are.  So take your holier than thou attitude and shove it up your ass.  Go do some nails and quit trying to tell people what to do all of the time.  Maybe if you were busier at your nail table you wouldn’t have all this extra time to be all up in everyone else’s business. 

Why do my client’s misbehave when I am off sick and one of the other girls in the salon does their nails?  They wouldn’t come in 30 minutes late with me and expect me to do their nails, why do they expect others?  I am ticked.

How many family emergencies before you finally say to someone that this is too many, you need to pay the late cancellation fee.  They find out that emergencies give you slack so they use that each and every time.

Why don’t nail companies answer their emails?

Hey OPI, your Gel Color sucks ass.  Just like your polish did.  I can’t believe people buy this crap.

Some people need to take their nose out of the air.  We all wipe our butts the same way.  You are not better than me.

I am sickened by how many people think that they can eat at their nail appointment.

Thank you to the inconsiderate jerk who shared their sickness with me.  We don’t get sickdays when we are self-employed.  Next time, reschedule your appointment when you are sick.

Too many people lie to your face.  Why can’t you just admit you did something wrong.  It will gain you more respect, admitting it, than you do by lying to cover it up.

I’m sorry, I know it’s trendy, but putting nail foil on your lips makes you look trashy and like you are trying too hard.  It’s NAIL FOIL that you can get for $1 at Dollar Nail Art! 

Please remove your 999 bottles of juice, that are half filled in the salon fridge.  It’s a shame when we can’t put anything in there because you have a years supply of daily bottles in there.  Other people work here too.

If you can’t afford your nail appointment, don’t make one.  NO we can’t do your nails today and have you pay next week.  Also, don’t tell us this after we have finished your service.  Please do not call to rebook.

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 12

You are one of two clients, who still wear polish.  I don’t want to hear how your sister’s polish lasts forever, she is wearing gel polish, which you refuse to use.  Go take the walk of shame to the back of the salon, where the polish is.

One day, I am going to go and use the stylist’s hair scissors to open a package.  That will serve them right.  Maybe they will respect my tools then.

What the hell kind of names are Red 101 and Blue 102?  Did your creative department quit on you?

Dear Client:  We have been hearing about your marital troubles for over a year now.  If you aren’t going to leave him, we really don’t have the patience to be sympathetic any longer.

I am so sick and tired of the hairdressers in my salon getting their nails done at the chop shops.  That doesn’t promote me at all.  I am going to get my hair done at SuperCuts from now on.

So, it was a mutual agreement?  They didn’t fire you?  Right…….

1990 called and they want your nails back.

Why do so many people waste time trying to recreate things.  Why not just use what you already have available to you?

I have seen ridiculous statements made by both political sides.  I am sick of reading it.  You people are ridiculous if you 100 percent believe the side that you back.

Sometimes, it takes all I can do, to not reach out and smack you in the head.  You annoy me. 

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 11

Newborns do not need an appointment for a mani/pedi.  EVER.

Why must smokers litter our parking lot with their cigarette butts?  Why can't they use the container, provided to them for that purpose?

Sticking your fingers, into your mouth, right before I put gel on them contaminates them.  Do you really think that it's a good idea to do that?

I am sick and tired of people calling at the last minute to say that they can't come to their appointment.  Did they just find out about the scheduling conflict?  I don't think so.  People are rude.

Just Sayin' - Every time you use that phrase, I want to hit you.  In the head.  With a 2 x 4.  Just Sayin' ;o)

Passive aggressive people, especially on Facebook, piss me off.  You really got some Cyber Balls.  I bet you are a coward in real life.

Pay your rent on time, pay your rent on time, pay your rent on time.  PLEASE.  I have bills too!

People need to concern themselves with their own life and their own businesses and stay out of others lives and businesses.  If they put as much energy into their business as they do in meddling, they would have a salon that didn't warrant worrying what others are doing.

I really hope you don't get a lot of these everyday cause I need help :)! I am a newly licensed nail tech. I do acrylics but I want to master nails!  I want to learn gel, and shellac.  Where can I get info (besides you tube) that do tutorials, nail shows or classes, or ways to help me build clientele ( I currently am doing booth rental  and it is killing me) I don't have any clientele yet except the people I work with! Do you know of any classes near Norfolk, VA.   Sincerely,  Confused  Newbie!!

Under Appreciated

Reader Submission


So I been thinking for awhile to raise my prices, I'm very inexpensive for the work that I do.


I love what I do but at the end of the day I feel overworked and under appreciated because the creativity I put out. I decided that this year I get my own place as well, so 2 weeks ago I posted a heads up I'm raising my prices by $5. Today I worked on my price list and posted it, honestly I still feel like I'm not charging enough, I cant get it through my head that I'm under cutting myself, for some reason I feel bad to charge more than I am, I know stupid on my part.


Anyway I had a client text me asking if that means her price is going up too. WOW! I didn't know how to respond especially since shes one of the reasons my prices are going up and her price is the same as everyone elses so I don't get what she meant by that. I'm a little offended she'd even ask me that. I finally text-ed her back and said "well it means everybody s price is going up"...


--Under Appreciated 

New Year's Resolutions

Readers have submitted their resolutions for 2012!

• I am going to set my schedule and STICK to it, no more adding hours and days.
• I would like to become a better nail technician and find a job!!
• I don't usually set resolutions, but my plan this year is to take (at minimum) two more CND classes, and attend at least one networking event.
• Take some CND classes hopefully 2 or 3), set and stick to a schedule, expand my art abilities, be completely booked solid at least 2 days a week-every week.  I just started this August and am still building my clients.....Christmas season rush has been awesome, tho! Booked solid every day Tuesday thru Saturday, and now that I know what it feels like I want it every day!  OH! And set up a blog with my nail art stuff to link up with Pinterest!
• I am working on rebuilding my clientele after taking a few years off.
• I'm REALLY going to build my new desk this year... really.
• I am going to take charge of my employees and hold them accountable for not following salon rules and procedures, especially paying their booth rent on time.
• I am going to implement a Cancellation/NO-Show Policy and enforce it.  Strictly.
• I am going to raise my prices.  First time in seven years!
• I am going to bring in two new services to the salon before summer.
• A cleaning schedule!  A different room will be on schedule each week so that once a month each room gets a total overhaul and in the off weeks just the normal weekly cleaning.
• We WILL get our client records in order this year!
• I want to get rid of my paper appointment book.  I want to go all online and utilize a mobile phone and laptop and online booking.  I'm scared!!
• I WILL go to Premier Orlando this year!
• Enter a competition and finish on time.
• Start using an efile.  My shoulder can't take hand filing much longer.
• I want to not only learn gels this year, I want to master them.  Better yet, I will conquer them!
• Clutter be gone.

December Kicked My Ass

I don't know about the rest of you, but December kicked my ass, especially the last few weeks.  I have a few Reader Submissions to post, however, I would like to hold off on them and post something different this week.

What are your New Years Resolutions for this coming year?  For your business, career, etc?  Submit them to me at nailtechtalk@yahoo.com and I will post them.  You can send them to me on Facebook, or on the Nail Tech Talk Facebook Page if you don't want to post them anonymously.  I will compile a list and post them!

--Nancy

I Need My Lunch!

READER SUBMISSION
I am a human being.  As such, I like to eat in order to sustain obtainable energy throughout  the busy day.    When I say I want a lunch every day, I mean it.  I don't care if the whole damn industry books themselves up all day, every day.  I don't care if hairdressers can eat while their color processes.  I'm not a hair dresser.  I'm a nail tech.  If my lunch isn't physically on the books, I don't get to eat.  


What is so frigin hard to understand about that!?!  I'm not a machine here to work from start to finish because you won't support my decision to choose to take 30 minutes from my day to sit down and eat.  Threatening me that the receptionists won't like me if I keep getting mad because they took my lunch out, and therefore won't book appointments with me; is piss poor management on your part.  You should make it painfully clear to them that they are to respect me and my schedule, that they are not gods.  


And here's a tip: when you chew out an employee, don't act all high and mighty by saying how you do things so much better because you do them a different way.  You sound condescending and off-putting.  I'm all for making the client happy, but I'm not going to sacrifice my lunch just because they want in.  I'm sure given the option of a different time available, most would be completely ok.  You don't have to say yes to every thing.  I've never said I had to have lunch at the same time every day, just that I wanted one.  If I don't stand up for myself on this, who will?  


And to the receptionist who flat out told me there would be days that I wouldn't get a lunch because it would be too busy and clients would want in... FUCK YOU.  I just got done telling you that I want a lunch every day.  I didn't say, "if time allows."  I said every day.  The hours I work are to include 30 minutes every day.  You annoy me.  You are around 50, yet you act like a whiny brat teenager.  You annoy the other girls and because you are unhappy you like to stir the pot. 


I am ready to leave.  The only thing that keeps me motivated is job hunting and knowing that this BS is temporary.  I won't let people walk over me or put up with their crap. The more I take, the more they give. 
Life is too short to not have fun.


--I Need My Lunch!

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 10

It's been awhile since we've had some reader submissions.  I have stockpiled them and here's the latest.  REMEMBER, these are from a lot of other people, so please do not dog on me for bitching, whining and being negative.  This is "Everything you always wanted to say, but couldn't".  --Nancy

As stupid as you look when you make that stupid "kissy face" in all of your photos, you sound even more stupid when you talk like a Valley Girl and you live on the east coast.  Stop dumbing yourself down.  You are giving women and young girls a bad rap.

Don't you just love when you and three of your co-workers are slammed with clients and the one tech, that is either ahead of schedule or had a no show just sits there surfing the Internet, while there are phone calls to be returned, the phone is ringing off of the hook and people are walking in wanting to purchase things?  Maybe if you got off your ass and off the Internet, maybe you would have a client in your chair.

My client that is missing three fingers on one hand doesn't ask for a discount, why should you?

Shellac didn't ruin your nails, YOU DID when you picked it all off, when it is easily removed with acetone, even by you.

Listen carefully.  It is called O.P.I.  Three letters.  It's not Opie.  He was a small boy with an Aunt Bee.

I'm sorry, coming in six weeks later with seven nails missing isn't a FILL it is called a FULL SET.

We realize that WalMart has brought back lay-away for the hoidays, however, we are not WalMart, therefore, payment is expected at the time of your service.

Hey you, with the gift certificate that you won, that we donated to an organization to give to you:  Why must you always want more?  Isn't the ONE service of your choice enough?  Oh, no?  You want two and one for your sister too.  Greed kills.

For the love of everything good, WIPE YOUR FEET!  Do you really think we want your muddy shoes stomping all over our carpet.  I can't imagine what your home looks like!

If you sprinkle while you tinkle, please be neat and wipe the seat!  Women are HOGS in the bathroom.

Put the phone down!  Put the phone down!  Put the phone down!  The world will not end if you can't touch your phone for an hour.

If you use it up, refill it, if you break it, fix it, if it is empty, refill it, if it drops, pick it up, if it is out of place, put it back, if you dirty it, clean it.  It's really not rocket science.

What is it with people who think that positive things should be written about on here?  The mantra of this site is "Everything you always WANTED to say, but couldn't"  How does all the things you love about this industry fall into this category.  Quit your bitching and if you don't like it don't read it.  You are pathetic.  You probably live alone with a cat.

I see new educators trying so hard to impress people.  Way too hard.  It's actually kind of painful to watch.  If you have to put that much effort into it, maybe you aren't cut out for the job.

To all the judgmental bitches out there who make snide remarks about others who post photos of nails, that they don't think are perfect, where are YOUR photos for US to critique.  Just what I thought.  Shut the fuck up then.

Attitude is Everything and Yours Sucks

Today, I finally am going to use your wonderful blog to “Say what I really want to say but can’t”  Why can’t I say what I really want to say?  Because the truth hurts and people will have bruised egos and just up and quit on me.  However, these things need to be said.  Who knows, maybe they are readers of this blog and will see this and think, “Hey, I am being a jerk too” and straighten up.

DO YOUR JOB.  It’s that simple.  You were hired to do a job.  Nothing that is required of you are things that I, as your boss/salon owner, would not do and do not do.  Everything I expect of you, I do myself, and then some.  Why must you all be so lazy?

Why must I feel like a parent, reminding a child to do their chores?  You are adults.  You see me doing it, setting the example, why can’t you do it?  I have the answer for you.  You are lazy.

It is very important to keep accurate client record cards, especially when we all do services on the same person from time to time.  Why are you too lazy to pull the client’s card from the file and instead you make a new card.  So, one person has six cards in all different places.  How is this efficient?  You’ve been told over and over to not do this, yet your laziness wins out every time.

Why must you spell the client’s name in the computer or on their card using your “Hooked on Phonics” method?  I mean I know some people spell their names differently, but come on, not every Linda is Lynda,  not every Kylie is kaileigh, not every Molly is Mollee, etc.  People love their name and it is an insult to them when you misspell their name.  How hard is it to say “Is that Carol with a C or K” or “How do you spell your name?”  Over and over again we go through this.  So in our computer, we have one client in there no less than six different ways.  How hard is it to figure out that one of the five already there that is spelled funky is HER and you don’t need to add another entry.

All of this laziness on your part is just creating more work for me and I am personally sick to death of it.  I don’t know what else to do.  I’ve asked over and over again for you to comply.  We are doing our client’s a disservice due to your laziness and lack of focus.

Quit acting like children and do you mother loving job.  I am tired of doing your job for you, however, I have no choice but to do it.  Keep it up, you will burn me out and I will close, then what will you do?  I am betting your next boss will not be as nice.

--Tired of Working With Inconsiderate Assholes

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 9

If I had it to do all over again, I would never open a salon.  I would just work for someone else and do my clients and go home.

Some days I really want to go in and say "I quit!", but then remember that I own the place.

Dear client – if you are going to Facebook  me for an appointment the same day, YOU NEED TO CHECK for a reply from me!!!   How many times have I responded to such a request within the hour, many times within minutes, to let you know available times, only to never hear back from you!  Or to hear back after that space in my book is long gone.  Or after I’ve closed for the day.  And no, I can’t magically make time appear again.  If it’s that important that you need to get in ASAP then it’s important enough to pick up the phone and call me.    I don’t care if your Blackberry doesn’t show you the Facebook messages.  YOU initiated the contact via Facebook, so YOU need to check for a reply.


Some people really are full of themselves, especially on Facebook.  Are you really that fabulous or do you just THINK you are.


When YOU don't do YOUR job, you create more work for OTHERS.  Do your job.  Everyone else is!


This is a salon, not a snack bar.


Thank you so much for putting back an EMPTY pot of gel.  It's like going to the refrigerator and seeing an empty milk carton.  How can we order it if we don't know you used the last of it?


It joys me so that I have to stop working on a client to wait on another client that came in the door while you sit there and surf the net in the other room.

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 8

If you are going to ask question after question, asking the next one before I've even started answering the first one, I am just going to be quiet and let you get it all out of your system.  It's obvious you aren't listening to the answers anyway.  I need to be concentrating on your service, not trying to figure out what you are asking in you ADD kind of ways.

When you are late, you make me run late for the rest of the day.  I will not punish those after you who are ON TIME, by starting them late.  Sorry, but your appointment ends when it was scheduled to end.  If I am not finished, sorry, next time be on time.

The bathroom light was off and the door was open when you went in.  Why must you always leave the light on and close the door when you leave?  Don't you realize this makes people think someone is in there???

Seriously, if you break it, fix it or at least tell someone it's broke.  Don't leave it for someone to find later.

If you don't instruct your new clients on home care, don't be pissed off when they come back a mess.

Short cuts that you take today will lead to long detours in two weeks.

To the techs that boast "My nails NEVER lift".  I would like to call you a big, fat, hairy liar.  Everyone has at least one problem client that lifts.  I officially call bullshit on you.

When someone is taking the time to mentor you, you should listen to them.  They shouldn't have to say the same things to you over and over, some of which, you should already know.

Gel polish didn't ruin your nails.  YOU ruined them when you peeled the stuff off even when it obviously didn't want to come off.

If you are a tech and you are still doing pink and whites with 1/4 inch pink and 1/2 inch white, you need to take some damn continuing education classes because that just isn't right.  Do you really think that enhances the nail??????

Why am I still trying to find something that I ordered on October 10 and have tried online help, emailed and called the company.  Last Friday I was told that it would be shipped out.  Here it is a week later and still nothing.

A manicure is a manicure, it is NOT a full set of acrylic nails.  Why would you think otherwise?

What is going on with our schools???

Reader Submission (Keep them coming!)

I just have to ask, "What the hell is going on in our schools?"  The students that they are putting out are PATHETIC.  As a salon owner, I realize that I need to train technicians that work in my salon, but OMG, these girls are pitiful even after doing 20 plus hours of one on one training with me.  They can't even polish a fingernail. Seriously.  I have proof.

Here is tech number one, who was let go after six months.  She never progressed.  These photos are from three months into her employment and after over 20 hours of training, constant communication on what she needs to do to be better and demonstrations on how to do things better.

Look at this lovely French polish.  Look at the wonderful shape of the nails.  Look at the ragged free edges and are you BLIND from the lack of cuticle care???

How would she even think that that was acceptable to let walk out the door?  So, we worked AGAIN on her French polish.  Still not better.

Finally, this photo was near the six month mark, right before she was let go.

So we take another new one on, because we all know that it's slim pickings out there.  My other two options were one girl with experience but that was 8 months pregnant and one that was 8 months pregnant with her FOURTH child.  I went with the new graduate because I needed someone now, not after maternity leave and I thought, once again, that I could mold this newbie.  Wrong.

I at least learned from past mistakes.  I was giving her 90 days.  Well 30 is all I needed.  I spent HOURS and  I mean HOURS working one on one with her.  I didn't have a day off in three weeks because my days off were spent working with this girl.  This is what I got.

No shape to the toenails, no trimming.  Polish isn't even to the cuticle.  When I showed her the pictures she said that the client wanted her nails that shape and didn't want them cut.  REALLY?  I explained to her that it is her job to advise the client that she needs her toe nails trimmed and shaped.

Now, over the past month I have preached over and over again, "If you get anything on the skin, remove it"  This is one of the last set of nails she did before she was let go.  HOLY product in the sidewalls and cuticle.  How can you even think this looks good?????

What the hell are they teaching them in school.  Obviously nothing.  This is pitiful.  These girls are LICENSED to do nails and hair too.  OMG I can't imagine what these two would do with hair!  I shudder to think.

I have taken it upon myself to contact the school and let them know how they are failing horribly in the nail department.  They just recently had a staff change and an "Old School" teacher finally retired.  I have been asked to sit on their advisory board and I have jumped at the chance.

Now I know that it's all about attitude too and that these two just weren't meant for the industry, however, they should NOT have been passed and shame on the state board for having such a lame test that these two actually hold a license!  Why should "I" have to be the one who suffers because I expect someone who graduated with a Cosmetology degree and passed our state board exam can actually polish nails.  I can't even imagine what the outcome would be when we tried enhancements.

So for now, I am going to continue to turn business away.  I am not going to subject myself to this torture again.  I will tell you one thing, the next person that applies for a job will have to go through a "try out" so to speak.  I am going to make them polish someone's nails and have them polish someone's toes and have them trim the nails.  If you can't do that, get the hell out of my salon.

--Signed - Why Can't I Clone Myself?

Follower Friday – Reader Submissions 7

You are a grown woman, who works in a professional position, with a lot of responsibility.  Why, oh why, must I call and remind you of each and every appointment you have.  Do all of your business partners have to do that too?  I even give you a little card each time with the day, date and time on it.  Put that in your schedule on your tablet and set an alarm for cripes sakes.

No, it is not okay if you are going to be 15 minutes late, so when you come in only 5 minutes late, please know what the hell you want on your nails because I don't have time to sit and let you wast 10 more minutes picking out what you want.  COME EARLY TO CHOOSE.

Dear New Girl at the salon:  You are never going to get better unless you practice.  Skills don't just magically appear, you need to hone them.

Why to people think we want to sell their crap in our salons.  I can understand if you are a client and have something wonderful that you make, but random men coming in with stuff is just not going to happen.

Oh here, let me squirt some hand sanitizer on your wrist, where you just wiped your runny nose for the 10th time.  Gross.

You have a coupon for a free service that we donated for a charity event.  It's FREE, why the hell are you wanting more and more and more from us?  GO AWAY.

If you have to reschedule an appointment more than three times, maybe you need to consider going to a walk-in only type of salon.

We are not open on Mondays.  We are not open on Mondays.  We are not open on Mondays, will you please quit asking for an appointment on Mondays.

I just love when people ruin something and just leave it without trying to fix it or at least letting me know what happened so that "I" can fix it.  You need to have respect for your workplace.

Dear Trainee:  Please listen.  I have literally been telling you the same things over and over and over for months.  If you don't start listening, I am sorry to say, you are going to be gone, really soon.

We have over 200 colors to choose from and you can't find the one you want?

WIPE YOUR FEET!  I am sick to death of muddy footprints on the carpet.  What the hell does your house look like?

What part of I am busy with a client do you not seem to grasp?  I can't just stop doing her service to listen to your sales pitch.

I'm sorry, what part of Nail Salon makes you think I can trim your beard?

Sorry, we don't use credo blades, they are illegal.  I am sorry that your last tech used one on you and you liked it, go back to her so when you loose your foot some day, you can sue her.

Reader Submissions 6

I think my co-worker needs to remind her children that Mommy is working and that they don’t need to call her every five minutes asking how to make macaroni and cheese.  15 phone calls in a three hour period is too much.  How does she keep her clients?

I tried to offer to write your appointment down on a card for you, you insisted on writing it down yourself, it’s not my fault you wrote down the wrong day.

Dear Client:  I love you, but seriously, you’ve been having distress over the same things for seven years.  It’s time to either suck it up or move on.  Grow a backbone, I am tired of hearing it!

Thank you smokers for littering my parking lot with your cigarette butts.  You lazy asses are too lazy to use the receptacle provided.

If you are so sick, that you need to stop your appointment to go throw up, you probably should have rescheduled your appointment.  You do realize that if “I” get sick, I don’t have sick days or pay…..

What part of wash your hands before we begin do you not understand?  You’ve been a client here for years.

Why do people think it’s okay to put full coffee cups into the trash?  Do you do that at home?  I would bet that your husband or father takes out the trash and is pissed off at you like I am because there is a sloppy wet coffee trail all over the floor.  Jerk.

Why do boyfriends come to nail appointments?  It’s obvious they don’t want to be there.  Grow a pair and insist that your girl go to her appointment alone like a big girl.

Screaming and yelling and throwing a hissy fit will no make an appointment time on the date and time you want just appear.  Actually, it will most likely make “future appointments” disappear.

Dear Client:  You’re fired.

You want appointments, you don’t, you whine that you aren’t busy enough then bitch because someone scheduled you an appointment.  Make up your freaking mind.

If you think this is so easy, go ahead, go out on your own and do your own thing.  I did.  No it’s not easy, but I won’t take your bullshit.  This is MY house!

Parents really need to reel these young girls in.  It is not necessary for your first grader to have a full set of acrylics.  At that rate, you will be getting them breast implants in fifth grade.  Grow a backbone and be a parent.  YOU are supposed to be in charge!

YOU insisted that I add more of the first color, now you don’t like it because there isn’t enough of the second color.  I do this all day long, when will you realize, I know what I am doing!!!

I really wish we had those alcohol dispensers like they have in motel rooms in Mexico, where the bottles hang upside down and you press your glass to a lever and it dispenses.  I think we need that in the break room, so we can just walk up, stick our mouths under, press the lever and get instant Asshole Relief!

Reader Submissions 5

What makes you think that being 17 minutes late is acceptable?  Yes you are my last client of the evening, but you are delaying my trip home by 17 minutes and I have a 40 minute drive home.  You are new to our salon.  This is NOT acceptable.

Dear Obsessive Boyfriend:  If you wanted your girl to have a style/color of nails that you saw at another salon, why didn't you book her an appointment with that salon?  Also, why are you telling this grown woman how to have her nails done?

Dear Submissive Girlfriend:  Don't you have a brain to think for yourself?  Can't you make your own decisions?  Why are you letting a bully tell you what to do on your nails.  If he is this obsessive with your nails I can't imagine how he is with the more important things in life.  Are you sure you want to marry this guy?

Seriously, if you call a salon and expect to get an appointment, the same day and at the exact time you want (usually 5:00), don't you just wonder WHY that appointment is available?  Any good nail tech will be booked that time and if they did get a cancellation, it is usually scooped up immediately.  Is your procrastination really worth going to someone who isn't busy for obvious reasons?  I pity your nails.

So, you have been planning this wedding for how long?  You've had your dress for how long?  The hall?  The cake?  The flowers?  Your hair appointment?  You just figured you would call two days before your wedding and get an appointment for you and your seven bridesmaids????!?  You, my dear, are on crack.

I love this blog.  I actually keep a little notepad now and write down all the things I really wanted to say in the salon, all day long.  This is so helpful and it is nice to see that others experience the same things!  Thanks Nancy!!!  You rock!

If your kids put paper towels in the toilet again, you are plunging it.

Seriously????  It takes you ten nails, two coats to finally realize you don't like the color?  Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

It's just nail polish.  There's no crying over nails, people!

You've been sitting there for 15 minutes, I've asked you three times if you have looked to see what color you want.  Why is it now 10 minutes into your appointment, 25 minutes since you've walked in the door and you still can't decide what you want????

It's one nail appointment.  Is it necessary for mom, grandma, three brothers and a BFF to come with you?  We don't have room for all of these people!

For the love of God!!!  Put your cell phone down!  Also, I love the fact that there is pocket lint all over your gel nails from you digging into your pocket to get that damn phone.

I am sorry you had to go three weeks between fills due to your schedule.  I don't appreciate you trying to "Help" my by filing the regrowth area.  You now have rings of fire that I DID NOT DO!  OMG!!!  I just want  to slap you right now!