r/AmIOverreacting • u/slimeyditto • Mar 26 '26
💼work/career AIO????? LOST A CLIENT due to coworker’s client’s screaming baby for 20+ minutes as I was doing a facial.
For some context, these are screenshots from my work group chat. The little kid was screaming for around 20 minutes at this point when I finally texted because my client voiced her discomfort. it went on for a few more minutes after I texted, but there was no response until said coworker left the building. One of our other suite mates texted me, and told me that the client she was working on had black hair, which does not need to be put under a dryer. And that KJ had overbooked herself and had another client in her room that she was working on while the client with the child sat in the common area where the hairdryers are. I could tell that it was at the other end of the salon, but you could still very loud and clearly hear it consistently for the duration of her facial. This is a constant problem in the salon, not with this specific person, but just with kids in general. It is a Salon suites, and spa. It’s not marketed as a family salon whatsoever, but obviously kiddos are welcome. I just feel like she jumped down my throat and didn’t even read my message. I feel like I was super polite, especially since I lost out on future money and a client. Also, the person texting me back is always preaching in the group chat about how she prays for our small businesses to flourish, and that we gain clientele and that she loves us (? weird) like family. But when I lose a client due to her letting her client scream in the common area for 20+ minutes then this is her response/the way she approaches things. I’m super bothered about the whole thing. The first three screenshots are my work group chat, and the last screenshot is the owner’s response to the whole situation.
EDIT: owner has texted multiple times in group chat saying that if you have a client with a child that is upset or screaming, to close your door and turn up ambient music in the hallway to be courteous of others
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u/Pleaseselectyesorno Mar 26 '26
NOR
OTHER stylist likely specializes in “single moms can bring their kids in” type of clientele so she’s acting unbothered about it with her client, and rude to you.
Other stylist isn’t going to piss off HER client so yours won’t be pissed off
It’s annoying but sadly likely what you get when you chair rent with a hands off owner
Solution: next time, excuse yourself briefly, go turn on the other dryer, turn up the hallway music a bit, pop into the room with the crying child and ask them if everything is okay and then shut the door. You could even consider buying some lollipops and giving them to the screamers
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
so smart actually thank you
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u/Proverbs21-3 Mar 26 '26
This might cost you some money but what about buying some headphones so that clients could listen to relaxing music or nature sounds while receiving facials?
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u/theGiraffePainter Mar 26 '26
That’s a good idea.
Me personally, I wouldn’t want to wear headphones. If im going to a spa I shouldn’t have to wear headgear or earbuds or listen to anything just to drown out someone’s brat.
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u/catch6664 Mar 26 '26
Yeah and I would never want to wear headphones that have been on god knows how many people’s heads lol.
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u/fruderduck Mar 27 '26
NOR - This won’t be the last time this happens. You’ll likely continue to have problems with this stylist. Not a place I’d want to work - I’d be looking elsewhere and verify policy in advance.
Personally, I don’t want to hear screaming kids and wouldn’t return.
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u/happyphanx Mar 26 '26
Agree. This is the response of someone who knows the world. OP seems new to it. Renting a chair is not the same thing as being an employee, and it’s a tough environment to navigate. If OP is insistent on keeping this space, they need to start learning proactive problem solving steps rather than texts afterwards looking for someone to be held accountable. If OP wants to work at an exclusive day spa/retreat with certain limitations, then that’s what they should do. Otherwise, gotta know your space and start learning how to succeed within it.
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u/potterssuperhero Mar 26 '26
How are you supposed to have relaxing facials where kids are running around or crying? Family friendly spa??? I'm confused.
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u/Adventurous_Storm356 Mar 26 '26
I would absolutely not go to a spa where children are allowed in any capacity. I hope they advertise this, so people like me can avoid
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Mar 26 '26 edited Apr 08 '26
[deleted]
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u/llamadramalover Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26
Ditto. I have my own child. I’m not ignorant to the fact that children are totally incapable of reason and sitting still, quietly. I’m not ranting and raving at children being the little tyrants that they are in children’s spaces. I would never ever go to a park and get pissy that children are being children. I’m not even against children being in not child-specific spaces even when they’re not perfectly behaved. I do however start get annoyed when people bring their children to places like salons when the children are not the one receiving services, if they’re well behaved and I don’t know they’re there by sound idgaf, i understand single mother-hood and i live in a military town, so i get ur, sometimes you do what you gotta do. But, when children start acting like children and parents cant be bothered to parent because they dgaf that loud children are disruptive to others I start getting pissed.
I’m not sure what happened in the world but the amount of parents who think “”they’re 2, they can’t help it.”” is a legitimately acceptable reason to not remove your children from a space that it is genuinely disruptive to have a screaming/running/laughing/loud child in, is beyond me. I heard that response for the first time when someone brought their 2 year old to the 2nd Avatar movie!!!! Apparently we were all supposed to sit through a 3 hour movie with a toddler running up and down aisles and laughing and talking because “she’s 2” and I’m a total monster for not wanting that.
Just a few weeks ago I heard it again at my daughter HS orchestra concert. Another parent had enough and asked her if she could take the toddler to the lobby and this woman screamed “”she’s fucking 2.”” Like that was the whole explanation. “She’s 2” so I guess we’re not allowed to enjoy and listen to our children play because a 2 year doesn’t know how to sit still and be quiet in the audience ((OBVIOUSLY)) and mom doesn’t think it’s her responsibility to teach her child and remove her to the lobby when she’s loud.
I have no idea when this became acceptable. When parents decided it wasn’t their job to teach their kids when to be quiet and sit still. I dunno when that became outlandish to expect of parents. Certainly don’t know how these parents aren’t embarrassed to make a scene yelling louder than their children in protest when they’re asked to take their disruptive children out. Treating anyone who dares suggest that they’re the crazy ones. I would love to know when and why these parents think the rest of us should just be okay with their children interrupting and straight up ruining experiences for an entire audience. I have not a single clue as to when or why this bullshit is happening but I am damn sure sick and fucking tired of it.
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u/Th0rn_Star Mar 26 '26
Even if a place is family friendly, that’s not a cover for disruptive behavior. OP is NOR, and people who externalize the costs of their decision to have kids and drag them everywhere instead of getting a sitter deserve to be called out.
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u/socaligirl-66 Mar 26 '26
Parents have gotten lazy in my opinion.. I would’ve flipped out if I was trying to hear my child at a concert and had to deal with that parent with her two-year-old and I would lose it in the avatar movie as well. Don’t mess with my movie night!! I’ve had and raised two kids. Never once did I push my loud children on anybody at a movie theater or anywhere else for that matter that was supposed to be quiet. Ugg
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u/llamadramalover Mar 26 '26
I did what one is supposed to do and got management and they asked the parents to take the child out of the movie —oh AND they gave them their money back, which I don’t feel like they deserved but whatever not my problem anymore. Some other guest took offense and asked me if I was happy and called me a bitch. Ftr yes I was VERY happy the 2 year old wasn’t allowed to ruin a movie I’ve waited a decade to see.
The orchestra parents have been the worst. I had one lose her shit at me because I whispered to my husband —in between songs btw— about the freaking iPad the 1 year old had and how insane it was that his parents were trying to tell him not to laugh, he’s 1 he doesn’t under-fucking-stand why he can be loud at home with his iPad but not in public with his iPad. It’s a hell of a lot easier just to have him sit there with no stimulation. Ive had the misfortune of sitting by this family multiple times and these people —the whole. damn. family.— have the WORST public manners I have ever seen. Anyhow I don’t know what she expected but I’m not engaging and making myself look like a jackass, I’m personally gonna pretend I can’t hear the crazy lady screaming at me during a children’s orchestra concert because that’s fucking bonkers actually.
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u/KarfaxAbby Mar 26 '26
This, and I'm coming in from a polar opposite viewpoint. I'm not a mom and I don't like kids. I got sterilized to ensure I'd never have them. I don't want to be around children at all and actively look for childfree spaces to I don't have to, and it's annoying to constantly be told that I need to tolerate screaming and screeching.
I understand that, as some moms love to crow, I'm not "entitled to a childfree world," and I don't give a single shit about kids in grocery stores, on planes, in doctor's offices, family-friendly restaurants, etc. even if those kids are acting up briefly. It's fine! We all get that parenting is difficult and sometimes, kids are fussy.
It's when parents let them scream endlessly or run around in ways that are dangerous (restaurants where people are carrying trays full of breakable items, for example) that I get irritated. You chose to have a child and now your responsibility to to that child, and that includes teaching them how to behave in public and ensuring they're safe. And yet, I've seen parent after parent just sit there while their kid screams like it's just fine. "They're a kid." What do you expect ME to do about my own child, other than ruin everyone else's evening? This happened once at a fancy restaurant I took my aunt to. The kids were literally bashing into other people's tables and chairs and that was the exact response when the manager asked the parents to keep them at their table. "They're kid. They're six."
This also happened at my gym. There was a parent who got angry that, when ordering at the public smoothie bar, a worker told them to grab their kid when he tried to run into the gym area. "They're a toddler!" Okay, well, don't let your toddler take a kettlebell to the face in an area that's not safe for him where he's not supposed to be!
What's even more bizarre is the number of parents who whine about any space that isn't child-friendly, even bars, resorts, spas, and other places where children often don't belong. A loud bar with nothing for kids to do isn't fun for them. Why are you making your kid miserable? A bougie resort or spa where they have to be super quiet also isn't fun for them. Stop making your kids unhappy and unsafe because you want to pretend like your life didn't change when you made this huge decision to bring another person into the world.→ More replies (3)12
u/Hazel2468 Mar 26 '26
NGL that attitudes like this are one of the (many MANY) reasons I am not going to ever be a parent.
I have known too many people who become parents and turn into the most rude, entitled jerks you have ever met.
I know a lot of awesome parents. I also know a lot of crappy ones who think that everything should revolve around their little angel… Even when said little angel is wailing at the top of his lungs in a crowded place and my suggestion to MAYBE take little Timmy outside to let him get his wiggles out (because the reason he’s crying is he wants to run laps and he’s been told no) is met with a reaction like I asked them to put a muzzle on their kid.
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u/Lexi_November Mar 26 '26
Yep. I’m also a Mom, and my 4 year old son has Down Syndrome so sometimes he doesn’t quite understand when it’s an important time to be quiet as he is super sweetly behaved but gets very exuberantly happy over stuff.
But not once including when he was a shouty newborn did I ever make his behavior everyone else’s problem. I take him outside for a bit, or rein him in, and it’s no biggie because that’s my responsibility.
Parents that let their kids run wild were infuriating before I had a child, and they’re even more infuriating now because I damn well know the parents could choose to remedy the situations.
The astronomical number of parents as well with older kids who start trashing stores and restaurants while an entitled parent says they can’t possibly control the child because “they’re autistic” is stunning.
I worry about what those kids will be like as adults after years of being never told no or having any accountability for the actions.
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u/llamadramalover Mar 26 '26
My daughter had undiagnosed ADHD until 6 and she was a total terror in public sometimes. Exactly once I wasn’t able to rein it in and only because I was a single mom 3 weeks out from hip surgery with a walker when she started acting an ass in Walmart. But otherwise no other person has ever had the opportunity to tell me to fix my child’s behavior because I already know that and nip it before it gets to that point.
I genuinely feel like if parents like you and I —with children who have things that make it harder than normal to sit still and yet we are still managing to not make it anyone else’s problem— then those other parents have no damn excuse. I know thats totally unfair and doesn’t alway apply but dammit its so frustrating watching this shit
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u/Enticing_Venom Mar 26 '26
Yeah my salon allows children. But they've only ever been quiet and well-behaved (no one has brought a baby that I've seen though). The salon should have rules about noise disturbance but it's also on parents to step outside when their kids are disturbing others. People go to salons to relax.
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Mar 26 '26
Yeah, I went to a salon that allowed children and the salon owner had a baby that was screaming all the time. I never booked again.
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u/Aglyayepanchin Mar 26 '26
Yeah I kind of feel like if you’re going to be a spa that offers treatments to “families” or “mother and baby” then that should be either the main selling point or at a scheduled time, so that parents and children can come and enjoy it knowing they’re not disturbing anyone and everyone else knows that this time or this place is specifically catering to that market, then if they want to avoid it they can.
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u/Fabulous-Bandicoot40 Mar 26 '26
I would not go to a spa that allows kids. Holy shit
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u/flammafemina Mar 26 '26
Same here. If I’m at the spa, it’s to get away from my kids 😂 the noise and commotion in what’s supposed to be a soothing environment would be an immediate no from me.
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u/run4cake Mar 26 '26
I honestly think it’s worse if you do have kids. Before my baby, I could pretty easily ignore a screaming kid. Now, it’s like my body is tuned to hear a crying baby. I will wake from a very deep sleep if my child starts crying in the next room over.
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u/flammafemina Mar 26 '26
Yes! This is so real. Hearing a child cry can feel so distressing after having your own kids. Especially for women. It’s a visceral, physical discomfort that takes over your mind and body. It’s the antithesis of relaxation.
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u/Some_Recognition6273 Mar 26 '26
Dude, it really does, I can be having a romantic dinner with my husband but if I hear a baby or young child wailing, my body want to go on autopilot to find the kid and soothe them. It is a crazy feeling.
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
i’m confused as well because nowhere or we marketed as a family friendly spa. Just Salon Suites and Spa hahaha
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u/Bice_thePrecious Mar 26 '26
Sounds like it's not family-friendly as much as it is "kid-tolerant."
You're officially losing customers over this. Maybe it's time the owner reviews the kids' policy. Maybe there can be 1 day a week or something that is advertised and kept at 100% kid-free.
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u/jahubb062 Mar 26 '26
I’d reverse it and have only one day that was kid-friendly. Ideally a day that was only salon, no spa treatments. Spas should be relaxing. Spa treatments are expensive. There isn’t a chance in hell I would rebook after listening to a child scream throughout my service. I have two kids. I get that kids are kids and they won’t behave perfectly. So you don’t take them to certain places. It’s not complicated. You don’t get to ruin other peoples’ experience because you can’t or won’t handle your own kids.
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u/Lovercraft00 Mar 26 '26
The owner should also be thinking about LIABILITY.
Women getting facials/their hair done can't properly watch their children or intervene quickly if they get into something. I'm assuming the place isn't baby proofed, so this is just a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Also, so weird to just let your baby cry for 20mins in public while you get your hair done..
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u/Proverbs21-3 Mar 26 '26
You are NOR but KJ (person texting with you in screenshot) has an obvious attitude problem. You can hear the snark in her voice over the text!
She also has a reading comprehension problem because nowhere in your message did you suggest that the customer with the crying baby be asked to leave, nowhere. You requested that the door be closed (so the sound of the crying child would not be so distressing to everyone else in the salon, OBVIOUSLY). The fact that KJ did not think to do that immediately when the child started crying shows that she is not very observant and that she doesn't respect or even care about her suite mates or, for the matter, the comfort level of anyone else in the salon at the time. She is selfish, self-centered, disrespectful, and rude.
Who lets their child cry for 20+ minutes in a salon?! If you cannot get a sitter, bring a friend who can take your child outside if they get too loud. That mother was not being fair to her child, her stylist, or everyone else within hearing vicinity. I'll probably get downvoted for saying this, but if you cannot get a sitter or bring someone with you to to tend to your child while you are getting your hair, nails, waxing, facial, etc done, please, for the sake of your child, yourself, and everyone else within hearing range, please do not schedule your appointment for that day. Schedule your beauty appointments around the availability of a sitter or the availability of a friend to come along and keep your child occupied and content while you are getting your beauty treatment.
It is impossible for mothers to tune out a persistently crying child and enjoy being pampered. As a healthcare provider who frequently worked with babies and children, I know it's impossible for me to relax and enjoy getting a facial or having my nails done when I can hear a child crying persistently; as much as I tell myself that the crying is not coming from my child or my patient, my brain is going to stay on high alert, listening to the crying and trying to decipher if there is something other than garden-variety unhappiness behind the crying. Frankly, if I was subjected to the sound of a crying child while I was trying to relax and enjoy my beauty treatment, I would never return to that salon, no matter how much I valued my stylist, because I would find that to be a very stressful experience and I do not want to pay (and tip!) for the experience of become stressed!
I wonder whether perhaps KJ has marketed herself as a "family friendly" stylist and convinced herself that the entire salon feels the same way? I do not know of a single salon which offers facials and/or any type of massage/relaxing service that actively welcomes children! In fact, most of the places I've visited over the years have signs on the door that clearly state that if you bring a child with you and the child gets loud, fussy, or starts crying, you will have to take the child outside until they are calm and quiet. It's common sense, really, that no client wants to pay to be stressed by someone else's child crying while they are receiving a facial. It's common courtesy not to take your children to a salon which offers beauty treatment services which include any treatment which is meant to be relaxing in nature.
I think it is worth talking to the owner about whether you are, indeed, a salon which actively welcomes children who are not receiving a beauty treatment themselves and what the salon policy is for when a child is disrupting the entire salon and disturbing other paying customers. It is one thing to bring a child in for a hair cut, it is another thing for a client to bring a child with them and let them run around while playing loudly and rambunctiously, fuss, or, as in this case, cry for an extended amount of time, while the parent-client receives beauty treatments.
OP, I am sorry that this happened to you. If you want to try to keep that client, try doing as [u/olive_butter]() suggested and reach out, apologize, and offer a free or heavily discounted service to see if you can lure her into a repeat booking.
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u/anitabelle Mar 26 '26
Children are not there to get services so I’m confused as to why they are allowed. I have literally never been to a spa where there were kids running around or in the waiting area. A hair or nail salon, maybe, but not a spa or even a salon that offers spa services. I would never go back if 20 minutes of my facial was interrupted by a screaming child. Then again, I tend to become confrontational and I probably would have said something to you, the mother or both. Or I would have gotten up and left after it was clear that no one was shutting the kid up. Even though my daughter was well behaved, I never took her to any spa appointments. I never even took her when I got my hair or nails done. That is so inconsiderate.
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u/wildbriarroses Mar 26 '26
This is why my mother’s salon had a child-free policy. They’re not free babysitters while you get procedures done and “relax”, because no one is relaxing with a screaming baby.
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u/alchemycraftsman Mar 26 '26
Sounds like a hair salon not a spa. I could be wrong but I know some salons that offer facials.
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u/Practical_S3175 Mar 26 '26
In the salons I worked with facials never had kids allowed. It's not the salons responsibility to deal with your kids nor is it the clients problem to listen to them crying. A salon isn't a daycare.
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
see that’s what I’m saying. We don’t have a no kids policy or anything like that, (i wish we did) but the owner has mentioned multiple times in the group chat that if your client does have a kid present, and it is being loud or crying, to keep the door closed and turn the ambient music up in the hallways.
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u/kavakavaroo Mar 26 '26
Why don’t you bring this situation up with the owner if they have discussed managing it before?
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u/Alwaysroom4morecats Mar 26 '26
NOR tbh the co workers responses read like super defensive to me, she knows she’s in the wrong and just trying to get ahead of it at this point. Might be worth the whole team setting some ground rules at this point to ensure this issue can be dealt with better in future- I can guarantee it will come up again!!
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u/Hawkman003 Mar 26 '26
I’m with you on this. She knew she was in the wrong and jumped to being defensive. This will be a problem again.
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u/Rougefarie Mar 26 '26
It’s outrageous to me that children are allowed in an establishment that offers facial services. NOR, and I think this policy should be reconsidered. It’s common courtesy to find a babysitter when you visit places inappropriate for young children. But not everyone has common courtesy and needs rules put in place.
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u/willtwerkf0rfood Mar 26 '26
Then you need to share this with the owner. The owner is not going to be happy about losing business, and if it can be mitigated by the owner addressing it, then it needs to happen.
I agree with other users here that I’d reach out to the client and offer a free service! Tbh if I was that client, I’d leave a google review detailing everything that happened & making sure to name you by name that you did everything correctly and kindly.
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u/HistrionicSlut Mar 26 '26
I would leave this place when you can, this is a ridiculous policy!!
Or, go close the door yourself. It's not worth losing your clients over!
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u/moonycakemullet Mar 26 '26
I think there should be a policy that is on display that parents need to take their children outside until they’re calm. Even muffled crying would annoy me while getting a facial or massage
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u/zombieLAZ Mar 26 '26
I don't think you're overreacting but the communication you use is a little rough. You beat around the bush that I genuinely do not know what your point is in your text. It feels like complaining to complain instead of making a request. And the hiding emojis makes you look like you're not confident that this is a reasonable request to close the door and turn the music up. The client not rebooking while was likely because of the kid, you don't know that for sure and trying to put how it made you sad feels unprofessional to me. The complaint from your client was enough to stand on business and say hey I'm trying to give my client the best experience, please close the door and turn the music up like we were told here and then directly reference the message from the manager.
You shouldn't have to do all this but this is how you stay professional, cover your own ass, and at least ask for what you want even if you might not get it.
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u/Glum_Accident7899 Mar 26 '26
People pay premium prices for facials specifically for the quiet, relaxing environment. You are selling peace as much as you are selling skincare. Management needs to implement a strict no-children policy immediately before you all start losing more regulars.
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u/AbsolutelyN0tThanks Mar 26 '26
Right?? People have tried to bring in their gaggle of loud children to the place I go to for treatments, and they were basically told "nope, not happening. You can come see us again when you've arranged childcare." Its one thing if the kid is older and can sit quietly, but this isn't that. Nobody wants to hear screaming, crying children as they're trying to relax. I guess common sense isn't so common anymore.
NOR.
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u/witchywoods33 Mar 26 '26
From your client’s perspective, you did nothing after she voiced her discomfort. That’s probably the real reason you didn’t get another booking from her.
I wouldn’t rebook with someone that made no attempt at mitigating a situation where I was uncomfortable enough to bring it up.
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u/Anywhere_everywhere7 Mar 26 '26
And not only that, the client had to deal with it for 20 mins until she finally had enough and said something. She was clearly waiting for op to do something but she didn’t and only sent a text message after 20 mins because of her client speaking, if the client didn’t speak would op have done anything at all? I doubt it.
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u/Background-Tax-99 Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26
Yes exactly, I agree with you both. It’s up to her to address it directly. Especially if she thought there was just a door to be closed and not let it go on for 20 mins. From what I gathered there was no door to be closed, so if she wanted for someone else to do something about the crying child she should have herself. I also did not find the colleague’s responses rude I found them matter of fact.
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u/LastLoquat Mar 26 '26
I wonder why OP did not close the door themselves and start from the beginning or refund part of the treatment, continuing after the baby calms down? even if it means a slight delay for other clients, a couple extra minutes wouldn't be that much of a deal...?
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u/Academic_Flatworm752 Mar 26 '26
Here, you must have missed this. https://www.reddit.com/r/AmIOverreacting/s/R0rezm5vq0
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u/Emotional_Emotion113 Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26
I said the same thing in another comment! OP is all-too-happy to blame their coworker and the salon (which should be child-free tbf, but it’s not, so…), when from the client’s POV, the employee sent one text and then totally ignored the matter. It’s one thing for the client with the screaming kid to be in the lobby, but OP could have turned up the music or excused themself for a second to go check if they could shut the door. OP said they offered a discount and the client insisted on paying, but I would still reach out, apologize, and offer a discount on a future service.
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u/Feisty_Bumblebee_916 Mar 26 '26
Yeah, I’m a little confused about OP’s options here. My first thought was, “why didn’t you just close the door yourself?” Then their follow up comments imply that since the mom was in the lobby, there was no door to close. In that case, what was the coworker supposed to do? Like, what are you actually asking for here? If the coworker’s only option was to kick the client out, then I think her response to OP is fairly reasonable.
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u/Jumpy_Cod9151 Mar 27 '26
Idk but from the sounds of it, if OP is stressing this hard about one customer, they might be overfixating because business isn't going so well anyways. Otherwise it would have been a "okay let me fit in someone on the waitlist into this client's spot they just vacated" and move on. But girl wants the other salon employees help her maintain business while really, beauticians who rent chairs are in competition, it's not a team sport.
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u/FelinaKile Mar 26 '26
I wouldn’t rebook just because the environment seems chaotic and not what I want to deal with when getting a spa treatment. I’m a massage therapist and work in a spa, not a salon combo so slightly different, but I get miffed when coworkers or other clients are being loud when I’m mid massage with a client. There is only so much noise the spa music can block out.
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u/FeatheredAngel022 Mar 26 '26
“I do agree kids are aloud”
This is your boss???
NOR in my opinion, it’s a salon not a children’s play place, children aren’t allowed to be left unattended at 90% of the barbers I’ve been to, I’d expect a salon where you’re paying a LOT more to be more strict.
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
yes my boss 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ when I literally NEVER said that kids weren’t allowed, I literally just asked for the door to be closed so that we couldn’t hear the screaming as loud.
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u/Opposite_Radio9388 Mar 26 '26
What happened after this? If your boss/manager has said that certain steps have to be taken to reduce noise, and your coworker didn't do it, is your boss going to speak to them about it? In your shoes I'd be meeting with my boss to ask for their support in this.
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
nothing happened after this, I doubt that my boss will say anything or mention anything at all. I don’t really think that she cares. She doesn’t even stock the toilet paper, soap or paper towels in the bathrooms. Half the time one of us have to go buy it and set it out or it will be empty for days.
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u/2ndBestAtEverything Mar 26 '26
NOR but it sounds like you might have too much professionalism for this place. Are you able to look elsewhere for work?
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
at this point, I’m definitely gonna start looking. It’s like being stuck in between a rock and a hard place, everywhere else is $150 a week for booth rent, where this is cheaper, and I’ve been established at this place for two years. When I first started, there were hardly any other people in the salon, and it was never a problem because we had a great group of girls who were courteous of each other. Now, all the rooms are filled up and people leave the lights on, doors unlocked, don’t even put a new roll of toilet paper in the bathroom lol. Financially it just sucks for me because I love my room, I have put a lot of hard work and dedication, how to plumber come to install a custom sink to replace the water damaged hair washing station that was in the room that my boss would not take out. This is not really relevant to my post, but it kind of paints a picture for the environment.. (:
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u/frozenoj Mar 26 '26
It sounds like it's cheaper for the same reason rent is cheaper when you have a slum lord. Good environments can charge more than neglectful ones.
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u/throwawaymentality10 Mar 26 '26
The boss is legally required to have a working bathroom facility. What if a coworker had IBS?
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u/CharlesDickhands Mar 26 '26
But I don’t think they’re a boss so much as they’re hiring out spaces. Most likely the terms are the people hiring the spaces need to provide their own essentials.
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u/nahivibes Mar 26 '26
You’d probably make up the difference weekly just on customers like the one in your post who probably won’t come back to this salon but would to a place with better ambiance.
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u/Fun-Investment-196 Mar 26 '26
If you find a better/nicer place, you can bring your clients with you & find new ones that'll probably pay more just because it's a better place.
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u/prison-schism Mar 26 '26
I think if it has already been stated that the door should be closed if there is excessive noise, then you should ask your boss to reiterate that to your coworkers. "Hey, I just wanted to remind everyone that the door should be closed if there is a lot of noise such as children" is an easy way for the boss to get the point across. And the most direct way for you to bring it up is to say something to your boss like "can you bring up to coworkers to make sure doors are closed when there is a lot of noise? I don't want to lose another client"
Or you can excuse yourself for a minute and close the door yourself, which might be easier.
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u/shasharu Mar 26 '26
You’re not over reacting. Could you have just closed the door yourself ? Is it worth just getting up and closing it ?
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
KJ had overbooked herself, so the client with the screaming baby was in the common area, letting her color process while she worked on the overbooked client. There was no door to shut— of course I find that out hours later. I suppose I could’ve walked down there to check out the situation mid facial with my client, but then what? Ask the mother to get her child to stop crying? As if I’m sure she hasn’t tried that? I just feel like it’s a rock and a hard place. Either way I come off as rude haha so I guess it just is what it is
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u/ju-ju_bee Mar 26 '26
No actually your coworker does...She overbooked herself to try and get more money, thereby compromising a shared space that otherwise would have been a non-issue. If she had booked properly, then she'd have been able to close the door like the owner HAS ALREADY ASKED Y'ALL TOO. That's actually ridiculous af
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u/BooCoop8 Mar 26 '26
If I had been your client, I would have spoken to the other employee on the way out and explained that her client’s noise for 20+ minutes ruined my spa treatment. I might have asked to speak to the owner. Not to complain as much as to help YOU. I usually feel that most businesses listen to paying customers more than their employees. Yes, kids cry but one client doesn’t have the right to ruin another’s experience.
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u/Suspicious_End_441 Mar 26 '26
oh, i misread her typo, i thought she was agreeing that kids are LOUD 😂
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u/Rougefarie Mar 26 '26
You know what? I’m going to be that person and say she lost some credibility when she said “aloud” instead of “allowed”.
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u/ShakiraShakira-- Mar 26 '26
This genuinely confused me - I thought the boss had made a typo and was agreeing with OP, saying, "I agree, kids are loud" -- rather than agreeing with KJ saying that kids are allowed. The former makes more sense to me, why bother saying that technically kids are allowed inside the spa, when practically speaking they need to be taken out if they're disturbing clients? Surely it would be clearer to say that - that it's preferred that children don't attend, but if unavoidable they will need to be taken outside if they begin to disturb other clients?
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u/Socksgonewrong Mar 26 '26
That’s an unfair assessment. My mom makes mistakes like this because English isn’t her native language. Nevertheless, she’s still a greatly respected researcher.
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u/Deadpanic_ Mar 26 '26
Aside from who is right and wrong in what happened, I'd like to focus on your perception that she jumped at your throat: you may want to not text this person and just speak face to face, because the way she texts, to me, sounds 100% neutral. That's what I'd type if I wanted to sound professional and understanding whilst declining fault. It looks like you have two different styles of comms via text, which is ok, but you need to be aware of it.
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u/captain-marzipan Mar 26 '26
I agree - when she said "No need to be so harsh" or w/e I thought "Where was she harsh??" she was just responding. Not everyone uses emojis or smiley faces lol
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u/MysticMarauder69 Mar 26 '26
OP definitely applied a sassy tone in her head and then got passive aggressive.
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u/PineappleBliss2023 Mar 27 '26
I feel that because the OP is so passive in her communication anything more direct will feel harsh to her.
I would also definitely encourage OP to avoid soft / passive language like “kind of”, apologizing or using emojis. “Please ask your client to close the door. Her child’s crying is bothering my client.” is firm, direct and neutral rather than “can the person with the screaming bay pleeeease close the door.” Or “She didn’t rebook me because she couldn’t relax with your client’s child screaming, that’s disappointing.”instead of “that’s kind of a bummer”
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u/_vaselinepretty Mar 26 '26
You should’ve given the facial client a small discount and mentioned you would talk to your team about sound issues for next time.
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
I offered the facial completely free of charge because I felt awful. She insisted on paying, I insisted that she didn’t pay, so she found my Venmo from my phone number and sent me payment anyways.
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u/Greedy_Jellyfish_772 Mar 26 '26
It definitely sounds like she liked you but dislikes the location. Small consolation.
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u/Aggravating_Baker557 Mar 26 '26
I would never go to a salon with screaming children. I have children and would never subject strangers to that. You stop what you’re doing and deal with your child. Sometimes you have to leave altogether. That’s what parenting is sometimes.
NOR
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u/South_Corner_8866 Mar 26 '26
INFO: what is the setup of this place like? Is it different individual units? Is it a relaxing spa vibe? who is your boss?
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
The floor plan is a 2500 square-foot building, eight suites on one side and eight suites on the other. lobby in the middle of the building. One person to each room/private suite, and on the side where the hairstylist(opposite side of me) are there are 3 hairdryers. (each hairstylist has a dryer in their room mind you) it’s definitely marketed as a relaxing day spa. I say boss, but she’s really just the owner, very hands-off, is never there, and only talks in the group chat if somebody leaves the lights on or doors unlocked.
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u/South_Corner_8866 Mar 26 '26
Boo:( that’s really unfortunate. I usually don’t mind screaming kids but I think if I splurged on a facial id be really upset hearing it the whole time.
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u/ashleebryn Mar 26 '26
If they have closing doors, just go close their door next time.
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u/ju-ju_bee Mar 26 '26
The problem is OP coworker overbooked herself, so they sat the lady with the screaming baby in the "lobby" space mentioned in order to finish off with the person they booked too soon behind baby screamer. So there wasn't extra doors to close. OP had their door closed, but the lobby doesn't have one.
Basically their coworker inconvenienced everyone for some extra money and additionally forced others to lose money
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Mar 26 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ju-ju_bee Mar 27 '26
So confused why people aren't getting this. Salons are for adults. They have places that are specifically for children, because the staff are equipped to handle children and babies, they are PAID to do such, and the clientele attending these places are accusatory to children as they have children of their own.
A salon/spa and facial treatment is NOT that, and these people are really acting like they don't know the difference or just don't care to
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u/Anywhere_everywhere7 Mar 26 '26
It’s everyone for themselves, you are definitely right that the door should have been closed but there is no point messaging people about it as most people only care about themselves and their own situation, so next time it happens you need to go and close the door yourself.
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u/shakka74 Mar 26 '26
Why not just be an adult, walk over to the stylist and say “your client’s baby is disturbing my client so I’m closing this door” then close her door. If she has a problem with that, so what?
Being so passive, non confrontational, and worried if you’re liked or not is not going to get you very far in life. Also texting instead of having a direct conversation is really immature.
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u/Vlad_REAM Mar 26 '26
Do people even talk anymore, in person? Y'all should sit down and have an ol' fashion work meeting.
Also, did I miss the context of the "black hair"? How was that related to this crying baby? Genuinely asking
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u/nahivibes Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26
Just that it was unnecessary for the customer to even be under the dryer (thus leaving baby to cry) because her hair was “black hair” type. I think?
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u/drexxi Mar 26 '26
Nooo idk how people can just ignore crying babies for longer than a moment. Their cries are designed to be unignorable and triggering to your mind and body. Letting a baby cry it out in public for 20 minutes is so damn rude
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
Yeah, I was definitely overstimulated, but I didn’t feel like that was worth posting because nobody really cares about your feelings when it comes to work🤣 it’s definitely just a uncomfortable situation all in all
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u/FluffyWhiteDumpling Mar 26 '26
NOR. What a double standard. If you had made her client leave, shed be pissed. Next time she needs to close the damn door as a courtesy to other peoples appointments.
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u/slimeyditto Mar 26 '26
TY TY TY…. my thoughts, exactly. I would get it if it was a child who knew how to behave but this was a around three-year-old throwing a tantrum. If you know, your kid can’t act right then why bring it to a salon setting?
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u/FluffyWhiteDumpling Mar 26 '26
**bring them. I have a newborn, her Daddy stepped outside with her when she started crying at my 6 week pp follow up. Its just common courtesy to do that period. Shared spaces means being considerate on both ends.
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Mar 26 '26
I don’t think your coworker “jumped down your throat” based on those texts
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u/Gyorgs Mar 26 '26
Right? The coworker was extremely professional here. I think OP is young based on her other comments. She seems very unconfident in workplace communication or direct communication in general.
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u/Client_020 Mar 26 '26
How is the other person down your throat? I don't see it. Seemed like a quite neutral straight-forward response. She just disagreed with you. I agree with others who say you've been a little bit too passive in this whole situation, though.
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u/AdvanceSea3887 Mar 26 '26
NOR. I would be so irritated if I was your client. Not at you, at the situation. I’m currently getting weekly prenatal massages and if my session was ruined by a screaming child I would find a new place to go. My spa doesn’t allow children under 12 and that’s a good policy lol
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u/Artistic-Reputation2 Mar 26 '26
I don’t think YOR in this situation but I just want to say it always comes across as smug/passive aggressive to me when someone says something and the other person (who is clearly NOT laughing out loud) responds “lol” followed by their response, the way you did with “lol I think you’re misunderstanding me”
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u/AirSignal7545 Mar 26 '26
Kids and facials never should be in the same place… If they ever are make sure your kid do not disturb other customers. No single mother decide to hire babysitter and go for facial just to hear stranger’s kid crying…
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u/feathernose Mar 26 '26
Next time walk to the room and close the door yourself? Your coworker is not going to listen and is being a dick about it
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u/yr_zero Mar 26 '26
I was looking for someone else to say this. Just say excuse me a moment to the client and go and close the door yourself.
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u/LeaveLost1885 Mar 26 '26
So this is a tough one. Neither of you are right or wrong.
The salon doesn't have a no kids/babies rule. Plain and simple. Everyone that walks in that door, does so 'knowing this' and if they stated they didn't, then that's on them for not asking. If they truly want that relaxing/quiet time, then they need to do their due diligence. I would make sure to have an asterisk on my the booking platform moving forward stating this.
Your text was unprofessional. A simple "I hear a child crying, can you please shut your door to minimize the disruption of other clients experience", would have sufficed. If they didn't, then you go to your owner/manager.
Thier texts back, they should have just said "absolutely, it slipped my mind" or whatever.
There is way too much over explaining and victim blaming on both sides.
One thing I have learned throughout my life is that everyone has a different tolerance of what is loud and annoying to them. Everyone has different expectations on thier surroundings. Everyone has different ways of raising thier children. Everyone acts differently in public. What one person thinks is rude, another won't even bat an eye at.
It just is what it is.
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u/happyphanx Mar 26 '26
It seems OP is reluctant to suggestions that their response to the situation was unprofessional, but I agree with you here. The situation is what it is. The best and most logical solution is to reach out to the client and offer her an incentive to return. It seems nobody knew what to do in the moment, and nobody did anything helpful, so just make an appeal to the bothered client and move on.
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u/bbhrae Mar 26 '26
“Can the person with crying child plzzz shut the door” was their first message though??
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u/Training-Guitar-4772 Mar 26 '26
NOR. Who brings their baby to a facial?
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u/ayanna_b Mar 26 '26
no no, the lady brought her kid to a hair appt and interrupted a lady’s facial.
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u/Elismom1313 Mar 26 '26
For real. I’m a mom and know my limits and what I won’t subject my children to nor other people to.
This is not a space for children. It sucks when you’re a mom that doesn’t have better options or care but that’s life. You can’t make it work on principle because you just want that service.
However customers will always do what they want on the room you give them. The establishment should’ve said no to children to avoid this scenario
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u/ExpensiveAd7566 Mar 26 '26
You didn’t get the rebook because you did nothing for 20 mins and the client had to speak up.
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u/Mile18 Mar 26 '26
YOR- You over explained the situation and were passive aggressive. You knew your client was uncomfortable and only sent a text message? I wouldn’t rebook if I voiced a concern and I saw nothing being done about it. Also, using emojis, lol, …, makes it seem like you’re texting a personal friend not a coworker. So your messages don’t come across as serious when obviously it really was that deep for you. She could’ve done something sooner yeah, but the ball was in your court.
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u/Forsaken-Reality1212 Mar 26 '26
Honestly, I’m empathetic to both sides, but truthfully, it’s common courtesy to calm the baby down. I wouldn’t be okay with missing out on money, and it’s inconsiderate for the client not to think about her surroundings. Not everyone is courteous and respectful to others when it comes to their kids, so that one is tough.
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u/cinnabonby Mar 26 '26
if i was the lady getting the facial i'd want my money back
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u/ThestralBreeder Mar 26 '26
I would riot if I went for a facial and someone let their kid wail for 15 minutes.
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u/Acceptable-Choice-89 Mar 26 '26
UGH, NOR. I worked in spas as a receptionist for many years and there was a strict no children policy. Sometimes moms would come in and try to book something like a 2-hour massage and ask if they could bring their children in the room. Then have the audacity to get upset when they're told no. In spaces where facials/massages are taking place, there should be no children allowed. Period.
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u/ViolentDelights_xox Mar 26 '26
YOR - I'll probably get downvoted for this, because the majority is the opposite of my 'judgement'.
I understand the manager has stated a doors closed policy and that you're upset because you lost a client, but I think there is a lot of context to this that people are disregarding.
The salon is family friendly, and openly accepts having children. There's nothing you can do about this, and as the hairdresser stated, it would maybe better for your client to go somewhere where kids aren't allowed. If it's family friendly, then there's going to be children there. It's not just about crying kids either. Some people dislike kids in general, so if there's a laughing toddler who's a little loud, that could lose you a client. Do you make people aware that there may be kids in the same space? If you can't control who is going to be in the common areas, maybe it would be better practise to advise people at the point of booking that it's a family friendly business.
Also, I understand you messaged for whoever it was to close their door. But (and I'm sure you understand this), if you're busy with a client, people don't always check their phone. You could have prevented this by apologising and explaining to your client that you were just going to get up and minimise the noise. You could have then got up, and just kindly mention to the hairdresser that you were going to close the door.
At the end of the day, the hairdresser not closing the door is human error - things slip people's minds all the time, it wasn't anything nefarious or intentional. As she stated, she would prefer children weren't there at the appointments, but there isn't much you can do if it's openly accepting of families.
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u/alilcannoli Mar 26 '26
I see both sides. Either you lose a client or she does. It’s really on your boss to enforce the environment that they want, and they don’t have a no kids rule, so she’s not doing anything wrong. I understand your client paid a babysitter to relax in her free time, but she didn’t confirm that the place is child free. She will most likely rebook at a place that doesn’t allow kids. Have you considered working at a salon that doesn’t allow children?
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u/dwimbygwimbo Mar 26 '26
I see both sides as well, but asking her to shut the door seems like a fair compromise and the fact such an easy solution was ignored is kind of meh on the part of the co worker.
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u/One_Original2414 Mar 26 '26
I would be so irritated if i paid for a baby sitter to come and have a relaxing treatment only to be disturbed by someone else’s child. This mum probably doesn’t get a lot of child free time and the little bit of time she did get was just ruined. I would also never visit that salon again because i would be so put off. It should be common sense not to bring your baby to a spa/salon imo and i’ve never even considered bringing mine
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u/camibug Mar 26 '26
For real! How frustrating for the lady getting the facial and OP.
I like the suggestion of OP offering a free or discounted service to the client, but that is 1. Unfair to OP, who isn’t at fault here 2. Unfair to the lady who actually got a baby sitter so she could go get her mask done and had to leave, and will now have to pay for a sitter again if she rebooks.
OP I’d definitely bring this up with management/the owner and ask what to do in the future, beyond closing the door and play ambient music, bc that doesn’t always cut it when a kid is screaming at full tilt. It sounds like your coworker is promoting your workplace as family/kid friendly, which is gonna lead to more situations like this. In the future it might be fair to ask the mom to reschedule if the kid can’t quiet down - and maybe consider being a kid free salon/spa. I think every spa I’ve gone to is adults only, and the salon I go to is adults only too. I’d be so sad if I set aside the time/money for this and had to go home early in this situation.
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u/sledoon Mar 26 '26
You were too soft in your wording “I hate to sound rude or anything” “I don’t want you guys to think I’m some jerk or something” you have to believe in what you say and commit to what you say. This wording is passive and allows people to steamroll you - you don’t have to be rude just more direct. If you took out those 2 lines its sounds more confident
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u/archa347 Mar 26 '26
Also ending the conversation with “no worries all is well”. There are worries. All is definitely not well
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u/Suspicious_End_441 Mar 26 '26
i don’t know anything about this, but it’s weird. a spa is supposed to be relaxing? i’d be upset if my “me-time” was set to the ambiance of baby screaming.
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u/kitten_sammich Mar 26 '26
it’s crazy that this is even a question, if i booked an appointment id expected the experience as advertised, WITHOUT KIDS
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u/frozenlover72 Mar 28 '26
I think OP should have gotten up and went to close the door herself. She could have just popped her head in and said "im just going to close this real quick" and then returned to her client. No big deal and no need for this confrontation to have occurred
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u/Epoxos Mar 26 '26
This is a place babies and kids shouldn’t be allowed. This is somewhere that should be relaxing. Kids are the opposite of relaxing
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u/flopelle Mar 26 '26
Why didn't you get up and close the door? I feel like that gesture would send your client a signal that you at least tried to care for her needs
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u/Leather-Rub-6128 Mar 26 '26
I used to work as a receptionist at a nail salon and fortunately we never had a baby crying incident and many did come with babies or young children.
While I think the mother of the child should have taken the baby outside to calm them, that would have been hard if she was in the middle of a service. That would have also set whoever was working on her behind schedule, and they would be late for all the following clients after this one.
I know it really sucks to lose a client, but I think at the end of the day if the workplace has no protocol for it, there’s nothing anyone could have done.
What you can do is prepare preventative measures for the future. Get some bulk cheap earplugs online for your clientele or put a calming playlist on your phone and get a cheap headset for clients to use.
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u/Mindless_Ad1503 Mar 26 '26
Work on your customer service skills no reason to loose a client over that. Follow up in a few days. Offer some sort or value add for her to come back and book again. Apologize for the inconvenience she’s a mom she understands although she was probably trying to get away from that for a bit. It happens. Get a white noise machine maybe.
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Mar 26 '26
NOR but if you can't stop kids being around then I would at least have a good pair of noise cancelling headphones on offer for the future.
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u/Necessary-Bus-3142 Mar 26 '26
NOR. Your boss is 100% in the wrong. HOWEVER, next time tell your boss that your client is politely asking if anything can be done about it, and they may take it better
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u/KindlyCelebration223 Mar 26 '26
The owner of the property and the service providers are setting themselves up for a lawsuit.
Unsupervised children should never be allowed in a spa or salon. When the parent/guardian is receiving a service, they are unable to supervise their child. That’s not a judgement, that is a fact.
Not only does it make it unpleasant for other clients & service providers, it’s dangerous.
NOR
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u/hotdish420 Mar 26 '26
This is a complaint I'd bring to suite management. My old suite neighbor would bring her very unruly children and let them run around the halls screaming and throwing things, and it was very disturbing to the rest of our clients. One of them even threw a full water bottle at my clear glass door while I was working. Lost income for suite members effects the ability for rent to be paid, and the front office needs to know. Also, you didn't ask for the baby to be removed, you asked for the door to be shut.
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u/Warm_Emphasis8964 Mar 26 '26
NOR. I appreciate you advocating for your client to have a peaceful experience. I don’t like kids and a crying child would completely ruin my experience. The salon is allowed to let clients bring their kids, but that just means that I would not be back to your salon at all bc it’s my responsibility to find a salon/spa that doesn’t allow children. If I was the client, I simply would never come back to your salon bc I couldn’t ensure that it would be a relaxing space.
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u/dinoooooooooos Mar 26 '26
NOR I mean we can absolutely expect parents to handle their kids in public. Not doing so is resulting in all the screaming iPad babies who get arrested when they get told no for once one time they alonr outside. That’s not gonna work
The LEAST she can do is close the door if she is too scared to ask her client to handle her child. Idk how her client is more imprtant than yours bc if that’s how it is it tell her next time this happens I’ll come over make a stink close your door and if SHE loses business over this then 🤷🏽♀️ bc your client asked for silence.
Main character syndrome. Y’all share the same space, exactly. So the least she can do is mind the volume abd at least do her part to minimize it by closing the door. The solution is so simple. Close. The. Door.🤨
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u/Antique_Inflation_72 Mar 26 '26
This salon is a family hair salon AND supposed to be a relaxing place to get facials? I think it's the business model that's the issue
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u/Historical_Chance613 Mar 26 '26
NOR From the additional context I'm inferring that KJ is aware on some level that they're not being a good worker/coworker and is doing some level of DARVOing in response to your very reasonable request.
Facials by their nature are calming, restful services and I can't think of a single person who'd be able to relax while a child is in distress for 20 minutes. If the salon is fine with children accompanying their mothers, that's one thing. But parents and their village need to recognise that a salon or day spa is a space primarily for adults.
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u/FarlerFive Mar 26 '26
NOR The owner needs to deal with this. Nobody wants a kid screaming during their appointment.
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u/ettannat Mar 26 '26
You work in the same beauty salon or office ? And you do all this over text? It seems so exhausting
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u/ambientta Mar 26 '26
Your coworker was a jerk and honestly sounds like a nightmare to be around. I would hope that the owner speaks with them, especially if they privately agree with you.
It’s not fair to other patrons paying good money for a service and to be relaxing. I would avoid your salon like the plague if I had that experience and I’d also probably leave a review to let others know. Family friendly does NOT mean a free for all where children are screaming and disruptive.
It absolutely can be a policy for you guys, something like “We are a family friendly salon and welcome kiddos! While children are welcome, we are a spa and relaxation is our goal for every client so please keep disruptions to a minimum.”
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u/Inevitable_Metal9258 Mar 26 '26
Idk on the one hand haircuts are for everyone (Kids included). On the other hand, I'm a parent and I probably wait a maximum of 3 minutes before I take my crying baby outside. And closing the door is not asking for much. I think your responses are lacking confidence in what you are asking for but they are not rude.
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u/FairyCinnamon_Kitty Mar 26 '26
Nor - your coworker is delusional tbh. I love kids but if I’m at a freaking spa , I’d like some peace.
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u/MentalFood2066 Mar 26 '26
This sucks for you! As a client I would never return to a salon/spa for a service like a facial if I had to listen to a baby crying for 20 minutes. I don't understand why babies would even be allowed at a spa/salon - who is watching the child when the client is getting a service? This sounds unsafe and like a huge liability for the owner.
I can understand kids who are old enough (and mature enough) to calmly hang out while their parent is getting a service, but babies or toddlers? Absolutely not.
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u/ImAlreadyTracerBoii Mar 26 '26 edited Mar 26 '26
I go to spas that do not allow kids on purpose for this very reason. I’m a nanny and this is MY relax time.. I get it’s hard to get things done sometimes solo when you’re a mom but you don’t get to ruin everyone else’s experience. They will lose business over this but that’s their prerogative.
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u/PotatoOld9579 Mar 26 '26
I’d give her a message and maybe give her a 50% discount or a free mini facial as an apology. I know kids are aloud but i personally do not think it’s a type of place kids should be.
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u/Civil-Pause5708 Mar 26 '26
The way she deflected when you clarified you just wanted the door closed
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u/kellyfgordon Mar 26 '26
Who takes their small kids with to get their hair done? I’d complain to your building manager. This person, and her client, sucks.
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u/Mother_Tradition_774 Mar 26 '26
I don’t understand why you didn’t go close the door yourself? If the owner has already stated that you guys are supposed to keep your doors closed, you wouldn’t have been out of line if you walked down to her suite and closed her door. If she had a an issue with it, you could have pointed out that she was the one that wasn’t following the rules.
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u/helenaut Mar 26 '26
Basically what your colleague said was “I don’t want to ask her to see to her child, that might cost me a client! I’d rather YOU lose a client ❤️”
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u/ehs06702 Mar 26 '26
NOR - that's why most places that provide beauty services don't allow kids unless they're receiving a service.
People come there to relax, including parents who need a break from their responsibilities.
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u/TrynaStayUnbanned Mar 26 '26
NOR. I think kids are fine to bring near everywhere and that most folks are too uptight about them but I can tell you this — if I had a hair appointment and the child’s father flaked out or something came up, no friend or relative could step in, and my salon had a set up like yours? I’d cancel my appointment. Not even to be respectful of others either — but because how the hell am I supposed to get my hair done in any sort of peace if I’m also on duty for kid chasing? Getting your hair done is at least an hour at a place like that and no small child or toddler or baby will be able to tolerate that! Beyond that newbie stage where all they do is eat / sleep / poop there’s no way this would work. And as you saw — it clearly doesn’t!
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u/babygotbandwidth Mar 26 '26
NOR: Family friendly and spa and two words that don’t go together. A child crying means the parent needs to deal with them, not everyone else.
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u/taxilicious Mar 26 '26
Why the hell are kids allowed? Their parents are BUSY while getting their service. That’s why the baby was crying.
Absolutely ridiculous that children are allowed.
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u/Prudent_Bed6754 Mar 26 '26
NOR I have a child and work with kids- a parent or caregiver that allows their baby to cry in a salon for 20+ min and does nothing to help their child or respect others ears and tolerance levels in that type of environment is the sign of a terrible person. It doesn’t matter that the client was under the dryer. You did good with your communication and I’m sorry your co worker responded that way.
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u/poopdoodler01 Mar 26 '26
That's like taking a baby to the movies, just don't do it. That's rude as hell. That's what sitters are for. If you can't get a sitter, stay home or go to a kid place. I'm a mom of 5, btw. Expecting other ppl to deal with your kid is hellllllaaaa rude. Besides, it's completely unfair to the kid to take them somewhere they are so miserable and uncomfortable.
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u/CrybabyJones Mar 26 '26
I'm shocked to learn this is your boss. From tone alone, I can tell you're the more professional one.
Your employer has some growing up to do.
If their behaviour continues, you have some job hunting to do.
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u/sahphie Mar 26 '26
NOR however if it is a common problem could you find other solutions to avoid losing a client? Offer disposable ear plugs or headbands like those exercise bands made of toweling? So it could be used to keep their hair off the face but also cover the ears a bit to help muffle the noise. A fan or white noise/music? Keep door closed. I would offer the client half price or a free service to entice her to come back.
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u/drexxi Mar 26 '26
"Client may need to go somewhere else" hmm I guess I should start asking what the policy is on extensive children crying when looking for places to book my facials or other self care procedures where I'd like to feel relaxed
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u/olive_butter Mar 26 '26
I would reach out and apologize her experience was hindered. Offer a discount or free facial. I know. Still not fair to you but worth a shot for a repeat customer.