Hairdresser appointment. Was I being precious?

[LadyLindaT]

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?

the only thing I can think of that is halfway explainable is the no water bottle rule...to drink you'd have to remove your mask.

I think I am going to let my hair grow now FOREVER and turn into a crazyperson on the news, aged 95 croaking on about how I haven't had my hair done for forty years! "no dear, not since the corona days...." :o

You're not being precious. The guidelines say the loo should be available, and give instructions for maintaining hygiene.

At my hairdresser the loo was available, we were encouraged to bring our own drinks (and there was no problem bringing a bag or jacket). I'm sure you can find another salon with less stringent requirements.

Guidelines here

www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/close-contact-services#close-contact-2-3

Odd not to allow you to bring your own water. Understandable not to have to toilet open given the additional cleaning that would be needed every single time. They told you the rules, you made a decision to cancel, so far so good.

What did they do to make you feel you were being awkward and difficult? I imagine they wouldn’t have trouble filling the appointment, so what’s the issue?

I would also have cancelled.
I’ve got an appointment booked at the end of the month and had to pay a deposit for the first time and had to pay £5 for a bottle of water, mask and an apron even though I’ve got my own .

Got to be honest, I’m thinking of cancelling. I go to the hairdresser for a nice pleasant experience, my monthly treat. Would rather spend the money on something else.

My hair regularly takes 3 hours - I don't think I've ever needed the loo at the hairdressers but then again I don't fill up on all the free refreshments.....

@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

I had a bladder of steel up until the last year. I'm late 40s and need to use the loo at night and many more times than I used to during the day. I wouldn't be so sanctimonious in your shoes. Who knows how you will be if you are blessed enough to make it to my age.

I would’ve cancelled if no loo for a 3 hour app too. But you haven’t explained what your hairdresser did in response to your cancellation.

hey 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

Is this government guidance? It's nothing like what's been happening at every pub and restaurant I've visited since they re-opened.

I don’t understand why people can’t go 3 hours without a drink or going to the loo, I find that really weird to be honest. If that’s more important to you than who does your hair then fair enough, YANBU. Personally it wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.

Yanbu

Toilet was open at my hairdressers last week.

What would they do if you took out a water bottle and had a swig?? What a ridiculous rule. What's the reasoning?

Also to be honest from your OP you made it sound like you expected special treatment because you’ve been going there for 30 years.

I think I might be missing something but I am puzzled with the whole cleaning the toilet thing. I have not heard that Covid I’d transferred through toilet seats. Surely if everyone washes their hands thoroughly after using a toilet that should be enough? I think sitting next to a hairdresser and exchanging breath is more an issue than sitting on a toilet. When I got my hair coloured my hairdresser applied the colour and let me wash it out at home.

Can understand re the toilet but not being able to bring your own bottle of water is petty.

People go to the toilet at the hairdressers??

No, OP just thought it might be fun to start a thread about it and pretend she might need to.

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.

I hate it tbh. But it's the price of decent highlights and I only do it twice a year. I dread it though.

Our hairdressers has taken on an assistant who is literally there to sweep up, antibac each chair between clients, disinfect the washing station and clean the toilet between clients using them.

It's working brilliantly, they are absolutely back to back for the next 6 weeks so this was their best way forward to help them open at the capacity they can handle.

They weren't offering refreshments, but I was able to take my own drinks. No food. This was a five hour colour appointment and I was so glad to be able to have a coffee in my travel mug. Didn't use the loo though.

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. .

What did she say to you? Was she unpleasant or not?

@c75kp0r

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.

I'm the same, 3hours seems an awful long time even factoring in a colour.

I'd have just asked for a shorter appointment, at least a cut and blow-dry then get it colored later when the loos are open. Ours doesn't have the toilets open yet they are running on skeleton staff and just can't clean them between each use.

Maybe if you can't go long without the toilet you could look at a stylist that does home visits?

It wouldn't bother me. I'd take a bottle of water to sip and wouldn't use the loo. I don't think 3 hours is that long - I certainly hold it for longer than that at work.

Why are people so hurtfully aggressive about others who may need to use the loo more frequently? I've seen this quite a few times on here. I've always had a weak bladder, and having two DC hasn't helped! I'm self conscious enough about my need to go fairly frequently, but thanks for making those of us who are unlucky enough not to have 'iron bladders' even worse. I'd love to not have to worry about needing a wee when I'm out. Wind your neck in and remember we're all different.

OP, YANBU. I don't think that's fair. If you're going to open your business but without being able to provide basic and essential (for many) facilities, then in my eyes you may as well not bother. Off to Google my hairdressers now as I have a long appointment booked for August!

I don’t understand why people can’t go 3 hours without a drink or going to the loo, I find that really weird to be honest.

You find it 'really weird' that people are different to you? Now that's weird. I don't think I've ever used the toilet in the hairdressers but wouldn't even cross my mind to think that someone else may find it difficult not to have access to a toilet for a few hours. There are many reasons why someone may need access to the loo.

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 Exactly this!

And...periods. Fine for those of you who have a slight trickle for 3 days, not so great for people who suddenly flood without warning.

Goodness knows what the issue around taking your own drink is.

I don’t understand why people can’t go 3 hours without a drink or going to the loo, I find that really weird to be honest

Google irritable bladder (for the avoidance of doubt, not the same as bowel).

And "heavy periods".

@Lemonmaid

Can understand re the toilet but not being able to bring your own bottle of water is petty.

I guess they don't want to risk people needing the toilet!

I am puzzled with the whole cleaning the toilet thing. I have not heard that Covid I’d transferred through toilet seats. Surely if everyone washes their hands thoroughly after using a toilet that should be enough

Well quite, but there's been a load of hysteria about toilets all the way through this - however, I believe it has mainly been caused by councils not wanting to bring their cleaning staff off furlough and/or, in this case not wanting to pay the staff to clean the loo - nothing to do with actual safety or risk.