This is a subscriber-only article
Dear Miriam,
I have been going to the same hairdresser for a few years now. My hair can be a bit difficult to style at the best of times, but she always gives a good cut and colour at a reasonable price. Like most of the country, my roots are a show at the moment and I’m badly in need of a chop.
I’m quite upset about this, because I feel like we all had to make sacrifices
I was all set to make an appointment with her, but I’ve heard from another friend that during the lockdown, she was doing “house calls” under the radar. I’m quite upset about this, because I feel like we all had to make sacrifices and that it’s not really fair that she would have continued to work when other hair salons closed their doors when they were asked. I’m also worried that if she was going from house to house during that time, does she really have much regard for social distancing etc and will it be safe to go to her salon when she reopens. I’m not what you would call “vulnerable”, but you never know either how the virus will affect you if you are unlucky enough to contract it.
Maybe I’m being too negative; she could have bills that I know nothing about
It’s a medium-sized town, however, and she is sure to notice at some stage if I go to somebody else after years of being a customer. I wouldn’t like to have any awkward encounter with her in the street. Maybe I’m being too negative; she could have bills that I know nothing about and it might have been pure desperation. But at the end of the day, I’m really not comfortable with it.
What do you think I should do?
Mary, Leinster
Dear Mary,
Thanks for your letter. To be honest, I think that if you no longer feel comfortable attending this lady’s salon, then you should not feel obliged to return for fear of offending her.
Assuming that the story your friend told you is true, your hairdresser made the decision to continue working under the radar when many others made sacrifices for the greater good.
It’s hard to really justify cuts and colours in that context
She may well have had bills to pay, or other reasons why she felt she had no choice but to keep working. But the fact was that it was against all Government advice and she chose to ignore it, when our healthcare workers and other essential staff were putting themselves on the frontline to try and save lives. It’s hard to really justify cuts and colours in that context.
I think it’s completely within your rights not to return when she reopens. But really, I would not spend too much time over-thinking it, or feeling like you have to explain yourself to anybody.
Realistically, it’s not going to be a huge hit to her or to her business if you decide to go elsewhere
I’m going to assume that you are not good friends with this lady, and that essentially, it is a client-customer relationship. She obviously has many other customers who have kept her ticking over during the lockdown and will be banging down the door when she reopens. Realistically, it’s not going to be a huge hit to her or to her business if you decide to go elsewhere.
Instead, I’d seek out a salon where they are taking social-distancing measures and safety seriously and that you feel comfortable bringing your business to them.
People change hairdressers, beauticians, mechanics etc all the time
And really, what’s the worst that can happen if you do go elsewhere? A comment like, “Oh I haven’t seen you in ages!” when you meet in the supermarket? Again, there is no need to explain yourself. And even if she did happen to ask why you have not come back, you could always tell her the truth. What response can she really give to your honesty?
But again, I can’t imagine that she even would. People change hairdressers, beauticians, mechanics etc all the time, there is no obligation to stick with one for the rest of eternity. Best of luck with finding your new hairdresser and getting the roots sorted!
Miriam.
SHARING OPTIONS: