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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:
scoobyd2 · 19/07/2020 14:52

I went to mine last week just for a cut - but even that meant I was in for an hour. Between wearing a mask and the polythene disposable gown, I felt I was slowly roasting. Fine for a cut, but if I was going in for a longer appointment I would want to be able to take a bottle of water with me (my hairdresser does allow it). I assume your hairdresser was banning drinks so they didn't have to have the toilet open - but as if they're offering longer appointments, they need to think of their customers needs.

alliwantisagoodnightssleep · 19/07/2020 14:53

My hairdresser is a 4 hour drive from where I live. The first thing I do when I get there is use the bathroom. I couldn’t imagine going to the hairdresser and not being able to use the bathroom.

LetitiaMartin · 19/07/2020 14:54

the fact that she’s taken it badly shows that she wasn’t that lovely.

We don't know how she took it. OP says she's 'been made to feel....' but we don't know what the hairdresser said or did when she cancelled.

c75kp0r · 19/07/2020 14:55

Dunno about your bladders, but how do you have the patience to sit in a hairdressers chair for 3 hours? 20 minutes and I'm itching to get going.

Bubblemonkey · 19/07/2020 14:58

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.

I don’t have a bladder. I have a stoma bag. Said stoma bag can hold a pint at the very most. I need to drink a tonne to protect my kidneys. What goes in, needs to come back out.

StatementKnickers · 19/07/2020 14:58

YANBU. I had my hair cut this week at one of the big national chain salons and I was allowed my own water bottle and to use the loo! Ridiculous.

Unfollowtherules · 19/07/2020 14:58

I would hate the thought of not being able to drink for three hours for one thing and if I knew I wasn’t allowed to go to the toilet I would want to go even more.

I had my long hair highlighted once and it took six hours!

All these hairdresser stories are putting me right off.

Original poster
LadyLindaT · 19/07/2020 15:02

For all the people picking the bones out of "made to feel", I got a lot of let's call it "feedback", after I politely cancelled the appointment. That wasn't the issue. .

OP posts:
morriseysquif · 19/07/2020 15:03

You'd have been better to have explained that being denied water or the toilet is barbaric! Surely having your own water bottle is better?
They will lose custom.

elenacampana · 19/07/2020 15:04

@StatementKnickers ‘big national salon’ means they can afford to have someone on hand to keep up with the extra cleaning.

A smaller, independent salon is probably struggling to cope after months of lockdown and now having to factor in much more stringent ways of working. It’s not comparable.

BarbedBloom · 19/07/2020 15:06

The issue for me is that I don't drive and would have to bus to my hairdresser. That would mean the 3 hours would end up more like 4 and I would need the toilet in that time. I drink a lot in general, so also couldn't manage 3 hours without a drink - my meds leave my throat dry.

I would have cancelled too

elenacampana · 19/07/2020 15:07

@morriseysquif - not being able to go for a wee in the hairdressers is not barbaric. It’s inconvenient for most and not appropriate for some. Excellent use of hyperbole though.

WhatamessIgotinto · 19/07/2020 15:08

My hairdressers haven't got their toilet's open. They are not offering colour appts at the moment, just cuts and cut and blow dry to minimise the time people spend in the salon and to give plenty of time to clean stations between clients. I'm fine with that. They've made it clear that's what they're comfortable with just now and people can decide if that suits them or not. It's a huge, very popular salon.

WhatamessIgotinto · 19/07/2020 15:09

You'd have been better to have explained that being denied water or the toilet is barbaric!

'Barbaric'? Good grief! Grin

BananaPop2020 · 19/07/2020 15:10

I can’t wait for this ridiculous situation to be over. Denying a paying customer use of toilet facilities is completely over the top. A huge chunk of the population have abandoned all common sense.

Userzzz · 19/07/2020 15:12

YANBU. I wouldn't go. I honestly feel like some businesses do this just to not bother with people using their facilities , it makes no sense at all.
Why go to these things if it's not only a joyless experience but downright uncomfortable? I am not going back to my salon ( they wear masks and I refuse to). I found a lady in my neighborhood that is cutting hair out of her house and it was great.
These business need to realize that people go for the experience as much as the hair. If you're providing a shit experience, why bother going?

HannaYeah · 19/07/2020 15:14

@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
Sounds like you’re young enough to have a little one you aren’t yet aware of how fun it is to get older!

The bladders of ladies old enough to have been going to the same hair dresser for 30 years commonly require more frequent restroom trips.

Also, I’ve heard that for urinary health it’s not great to wait ages in between going.

Wishforanishwishdiash · 19/07/2020 15:15

My hairdresser had the loo open and I was grateful.

20viona · 19/07/2020 15:16

I have never been to the toilet in a hairdressers in my life.

Standrewsschool · 19/07/2020 15:18

I would have cancelled as well. I may not need the toilet in those three hours, but I would like the option to go. Without the option, I would definantly need to go!

Also, used a public toilet near a beach last week. No one cleaned the toilets afterwards. Similarly, went in a pub after a meal, and there was no one immediately cleaning the toilet.

Can’t see why you can’t take your own water in though.

fflelp · 19/07/2020 15:19

I'd have cancelled too under those circumstances. 3 hours is a long time and if you factor in leaving the house and travelling there and back it would be more like 4 hours. I wouldn't be able to sit for 3 hours without a drink of water either.
This whole situation is ridiculous. I am glad I live in another country where toilets have been open the whole time, including in lockdown. No one even thought about closing them and our cases still dropped to just about zero. They are creeping up again but that has to do with people travelling into the country and not with toilets.

I think if a hairdresser decides not to allow customers to use the toilet then that's their decision to make but they then shouldn't be surprised if a lot of people choose to cancel their appointments because they can't sit for 3 hours without going to the toilet.

GabsAlot · 19/07/2020 15:19

my dsis has been told no coats or bags they'll put everything else in a clear bag for them i guess its to reduce transmission

id assume toilets should be open for long appts its unrealistic to think someone might not need one for hours

Standrewsschool · 19/07/2020 15:22

Off to google situation for my hair appointment next week...

Littleposh · 19/07/2020 15:22

My OH initially said he wasn't going to allow clients to use the toilets in his salon until adult DD said she wouldn't go to a hairdressers if she couldn't use the toilet for 3 hours and travel time on top so he changed his mind. Clients are asked to sanitise before then spray everything they have touched with disinfectant, wash their hands and then sanitise again before re-entering the salon. When the staff use the toilet, they give it all a proper clean at the same time

diddl · 19/07/2020 15:23

@20viona

I have never been to the toilet in a hairdressers in my life.
Me neither, but it would be nice to know that I could if I needed to!