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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hairdresser appointment. Was I being precious?

289 replies

LadyLindaT · 19/07/2020 14:20

My hairdresser is lovely, and I have been a client for over 30 years.
She offered me an appointment when they opened again on 4th July.
I wasn't in any rush, so I waited until this last week.
I asked in advance if there were any special instructions, e.g., whether I should wear a mask.
I knew that there would be no refreshments, magazines, etc., and I was not going to bring a coat or a handbag.
48 hours before, I got a generic email, which didn't sit right with me.
I was told that I couldn't bring my own bottle of water, and would not be allowed to use the toilet.
I am talking about an appointment which would take over 3 hours.
I cancelled, in good time, on the basis that I didn't feel comfortable with that.
I have been made to feel as if I were being awkward and difficult.
I can understand that a quick cut and blow dry might work this way, but, if you know that the work is going to take hours, shouldn't you factor in that people might want to use a loo?

OP posts:
Suzie6789 · 19/07/2020 14:22

I think that’s unreasonable of them. I wouldn’t go anywhere for 3 hours where I would be denied the use of a toilet.
They will want to do it to protect themselves and not to have to clean the loo as much, but I think that tips it into unreasonableness.

Timmytoo · 19/07/2020 14:22

Take a sheeweee and an empty bottle. Just remember to wear a dress 😂😂 or it could get tricky

sittingonacornflake · 19/07/2020 14:24

I agree that's far too long to expect someone most to have a sip of water or use the toilet. They should make allowances for longer appointments I think.

Alsohuman · 19/07/2020 14:24

My hairdresser had the loo open.

Babs709 · 19/07/2020 14:24

I have been made to feel as if I were being awkward and difficult. do you mean when she replied to your cancellation?

Tricky... I’ve never used the loo at the hairdresser that I can recall but I don’t like the idea that using it is off the cards (who knows what might happen that you’ll need it!). Having said that, I guess if I was told in advance than I’d prepare. I’d also hope that if an emergency happened the hairdresser would let me use the loo! I’ve changed my mind about four times in writing that I think.

WorraLiberty · 19/07/2020 14:24

It depends on how many staff are constantly available to keep cleaning it.

My hairdressers has only 2 people doing hair and they both have to keep on top of the constant cleaning and disinfecting or everything.

What did they say to make you feel as though you were being awkward and difficult?

MrsSnitchnose · 19/07/2020 14:26

That's ridiculous! I went yesterday and you are allowed to bring your own drink. I also was permitted to bring my handbag and a jacket (don't drive and have to get two buses)

The toilet was available as usual with a spray where they asked you to wipe down after you've finished. No way could I have sat through my long journey, my highlights and cut without access to a toilet!

vanillandhoney · 19/07/2020 14:27

No, I think that's unfair.

It's warm in hairdressers and denying an adult a drink on the basis that they don't want them to use the toilet is wrong imo.

Of course businesses can set their own rules but I think they'd be on think ground if a customer was disabled or had a health condition that meant they needed access to a toilet at short notice.

Cheetahfajita · 19/07/2020 14:28

Why can't you take a bottle of water?

HowLongCanICallitBabyWeight · 19/07/2020 14:29

People on MN seem to have tiny bladders, I last sent for a wee about half eleven before I put DS down for his nap, I've had two drinks since. I don't need to go again. Surely if you made sure you went before you'd be ok? It's not like it's a daily situation

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 19/07/2020 14:33

I wouldn’t be confident if I had to last 3 hours. It would mean drinking nothing all day for me, pretty miserable. I would have cancelled.

Alsohuman · 19/07/2020 14:34

I couldn’t rely on lasting three hours. I’d have cancelled too.

vanillandhoney · 19/07/2020 14:39

@HowLongCanICallitBabyWeight

People on MN seem to have tiny bladders, I last sent for a wee about half eleven before I put DS down for his nap, I've had two drinks since. I don't need to go again. Surely if you made sure you went before you'd be ok? It's not like it's a daily situation
No, there's no way I could guarantee lasting that long. No health issues, I've just always needed to pee frequently. Probably every 1-2 hours on average, and at least once through the night. I've always been this way.
RunningFromInsanity · 19/07/2020 14:40

People go to the toilet at the hairdressers??

Alsohuman · 19/07/2020 14:41

@RunningFromInsanity

People go to the toilet at the hairdressers??
Yes.
RandyLionandDirtyDog · 19/07/2020 14:44

Opening up hairdressing services post lockdown is full of strict new rules, especially around social distancing, cleanliness and hygiene.

They will have been advised that if they allow clients to use the toilet facilities, they’ll have to ensure that either the client or a member of staff wipes down all surfaces including door handles, toilet, sink, taps etc. after every toilet visit. Or they need to employ a full time cleaner.

I imagine that financially, they’re struggling and feel it’s easier to manage the cleaning regime if the toilets are not opened to the public.

They haven’t ‘made you feel’ anything. As a grown up, you get to choose how you feel. If they seemed annoyed that you cancelled your appointment, they can choose that feeling too.

If lots of clients decide that they can’t comply with the new rules, they might well revise them.

I’m a hairdresser. I’ve seen one client since we were allowed to open and I didn’t enjoy the experience so I’ve stopped working for now.

ineedaholidaynow · 19/07/2020 14:44

I have never been to the toilet at the hairdressers, but I could probably guarantee that I would need to go if I knew that I couldn't!

Babyroobs · 19/07/2020 14:45

I went to the hairdressers yesterday and they had the toilet open and they were serving refreshments. After having four kids there are sometimes times when I can't even go two hours without the toilet so I can appreciate your concern.

ThePlantsitter · 19/07/2020 14:45

@HowLongCanICallitBabyWeight

People on MN seem to have tiny bladders, I last sent for a wee about half eleven before I put DS down for his nap, I've had two drinks since. I don't need to go again. Surely if you made sure you went before you'd be ok? It's not like it's a daily situation
Is it really that difficult to imagine people might have different physical needs from yours? Confused

I think if they want to that they have to expect clients to cancel and not be weird about it. That's the price of not cleaning the lav I suppose.

excuseforfights · 19/07/2020 14:45

3 hours is way too long for many, especially for older people. I know that’s a long time for my mum. And what if there’s a delay, the 3 hours could stretch to longer.

Well done for cancelling with good notice and the fact that she’s taken it badly shows that she wasn’t that lovely.

RainingMeatballs · 19/07/2020 14:46

After years of teaching my bladder is pretty steel like, but I’d still be reluctant to lock i. All that time without toilet access. Sometimes you just need to go unexpectedly, normally you can manage it by leaving

RB68 · 19/07/2020 14:49

its not just about a quick wee although that could be an issue for many women but what about those with stomach conditions etc When I need the loo I get about 3 minutes warning these dys due partly to the effect of some medication so yes I struggle outside the home for more than an hr or so these days

vanillandhoney · 19/07/2020 14:49

@RunningFromInsanity

People go to the toilet at the hairdressers??
Yes. Why is that so surprising?
amijustparanoidorjuststoned · 19/07/2020 14:50

Hi OP, YANBU.

Some hair/beauty salons are advising that you will not be able to use the toilet during your appointment post lockdown. Your salon sounds very very strict - a lot of places are going to lose custom as a result of this.

I run a beauty salon and I personally wouldn't dream of not letting people use the toilet - I am asking people to bring their own drinks if they would like to though.

Original poster
LadyLindaT · 19/07/2020 14:51

I would have been totally ready to spray things and clean things, if needs be, but the appointment would have been a long one, where I would normally bring at least a bottle of water with me.
To be told, categorically, that I couldn't put me off the whole thing.

OP posts: