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?

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

What on earth has your bladder size got to do with it?! Bully for you. The rest of us an't go as long as you. Does this make you superior? Does it mean we should not leave the house?

My thought was that I would just rather wait for a while, that's all.

I can completely understand not making refreshments but most hairdressers around me that I’ve seen on Facebook have said to bring your own water if you want a drink. I think you’re right, for a full colouring session the toilet should be available.

My hair dresser is on her own and I was there for 4 hours. I wasn't allowed to the toilet either!! At least I wasn't drinking tea to make me feel desperate, although I was glad to relieve myself at home

Always go to the loo during a highlights appointment! Takes a while. But I'm someone who drinks a lot and goes to the loo a lot

We need the 'feedback'.

My hairdressing salon has similar rules. My appointment takes 2.5-3hrs and I know I can go without a drink of water for 3 hours and will be fine. Also, no water = no pee. Win win.

I would expect if it was an emergency or I had some medical condition then I would be able to use the bathroom. Why don't you ask her if that is the only reason stopping you.

I was prepared to do whatever to just get my hair done after 4 months.

Jeez

I’m avoiding hairdressers for as long as possible because this just sounds really stressful

What, exactly do you think you are going to catch from a toilet?

@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 10lb+ back-to-back baby who got stuck, followed by ventouse, forceps and vaginal reconstructive surgery. I was incontinent for several weeks after that DC's birth. 20 years later, I still need to wee more often than I did prior to that. So I would certainly be sussing out the loo possibilities if I went to a hairdresser's.

I went on Saturday, was in from 9 until 12:40 as my hair needed a proper restyle and colour. I had a coffee provided in a paper cup and i used the loo which had paper towels, anti virus cleaning spray, hand gel and hand wash in it. I wore a mask, They wore shields and we had a good old natter and it was lovely.

I could have got away without using the loo At a push but coffee runs straight through me, and anyway It was open and clean, so i used it.

Providing access to a loo and drinks is perfectly manageable. It sounds as though your hairdressers CBA.

I haven’t known my hairdresser 30 years more like 10. I would have called and got more clarity on logistics of 3 hour appointment before I cancelled. I don’t know why you are doing that on MN not with her directly.

Two reasonable people who have known each other for a long time could have sorted this out without hurt feelings.

What was the "feedback" is that code for a load of abuse? Seems a shame for her to behave this way after 30 years of loyal custom.

I would be ok without the loo. I've been going to the same hairdressers for over 20 years and I have never even see the loo (I know it is out the back somewhere!).

I would struggle without being allowed to bring a bottle of water as I have had a bad cough reflex (not ideal during covid, I've had a few funny looks!) for years and need to drink water regularly to keep my throat moist and keep it suppressed.

@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

Are you a bit hard of thinking? I assume so, so I’ll spell my particular situation out for you. I have a massive uterine fibroid pressing on my bladder. I cannot go for three hours without the loo. And if it also happens to be day 2 or 3 of my period, I need to empty my menstrual cup every 90 minutes or there would be blood all over the chair.

And there are plenty of other health reasons why people need access to a toilet. Try engaging your imagination before smugly announcing your good health as if you were representative of 100% of the population.

This is the reason I've not been back to the hairdresser yet. I'm not big fan normally but not being able to go to the loo would make it worse! I also have an overactive bladder so sometimes can go 4 hours other times 4 times in an hour. If I don't go, I wet myself.

I had highlights etc on 6th July. Over three hours. I knew in advance no refreshments etc. Also unless absolutely necessary, no use of the toilet. This was the post. I've no problem with it, it made sense to me and as a long standing client I was just grateful and happy to have my hair done !

COVID-19 GUIDELINES
The following guidelines are governed by the ‘National Hairdressing & Beauty Federation ‘

• Face Masks are mandatory at all times
• We will be taking Maintenance appointments only
• Hand Sanitiser must be applied on arrival
• Reception Seating with be closed
• You must be a lone client and unaccompanied
• Use of toilets are sadly not permitted
• Magazines and refreshments are not permitted
• We recommend no outer garments are brought into the salon

My salon will be following ‘Infection Control Guidelines’ as authorised by governing bodies.
The health and safety of every one is our main priority. We will be taking this very seriously on opening.
Thank you for your understanding and we all look forward to welcoming you back

Since I had radiotherapy to my pelvic area I need to wee a lot more than I used to.

Never used to wake up for a wee now I do. And sometimes I get the I need to go now feeling! So I would cancel too. Knowing I couldn't get wound probably make me need to more 😬

Mine was the same yesterday; four hour appointment and on arrival they said masks must be worn throughout, plus no toilet or drinks available. It was alright. I didn’t drink anything so didn’t need to wee, and it was okay.

[quote elenacampana]@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.[/quote]
It's totally comparable. It takes 2 minutes to wipe down surfaces and handles with disinfectant. This small independent salon will continue to struggle if they alienate customers like the OP.

I’d rather use a service that was sticking to the guidelines and doing everything as safe as possible. Just go for a cut and colour it yourself at home if you can’t go out without needing a bathroom.

I'd have done the same thing. My bladder isn't what it used to be pre-child and I'm prone to migraines so 3+ hours without water would have lead to a crippling headache lasting several days - not a price worth paying for a hair dresser appointment! I'm sad they were rude enough to you to upset you though - that's just unfair.

I would have cancelled too because I can't go 3 hours without a wee. I'm lucky if I can manage 1 hour.

@RunningFromInsanity

People go to the toilet at the hairdressers??

This was my initial thought 🤣🤣 I almost never use a public loo, but neither have I spent more than 90 minutes in the hairdressers 🤷🏼‍♀️

It takes 2 minutes to wipe down surfaces and handles with disinfectant
No, it means leaving what you're doing and making sure you have appropriate PPE. Then ensuring you disinfect everything. Dispose of everything safely. Wash your hands again, change gloves or masks as appropriate.
The fact is there are large salons that can afford to employ cleaning staff so if you need to use a toilet and you're not worried about the infection risk in a public toilet, then you can go to a chain salon for your haircut. Small independents aren't going to be able to compete with them and they don't have to.