Nip Tuck

I get my ends trimmed at Great Clips every 2-3 months by the same black woman. The other day I stroll in and there are 2 stylists working, my usual stylist and an older white woman. Both chairs are full and there are 4 of us seated in the waiting area, 3 white men and myself.

I didn’t make an appointment in advance which means I have to wait for the first available stylist. As time passes it becomes obvious that the older white woman will be the person to cut my hair. It’s not my preference, but the place is about to close, I didn’t make an appointment and I’m prepared for this. My hair is hidden under a scarf and hat but it’s blown out so the person doesn’t have to cut it curly.

When the waiting room is down to 2 people the white stylist says to the black stylist, I’ll take the guy and you take the young lady. I look up to see everyone staring at me. The room is silent and it is not lost on me that the white stylist doesn’t know what’s underneath the scarf and hat but assumes that whatever it is she can’t handle it. I respect her honesty? The black stylist asked me if that was okay to which I said yes, that’s my preference as well. The gentleman waiting to get his hair cut said he was cool with the switch and that was that.

Except I couldn’t help feeling pissed off inside. This is the first time I have seen this stylist in the store. She didn’t know what my hair looked like but because of the color of my skin she expected the worse.

I didn’t say anything about the situation. I got my ends trimmed, thanked the stylist who worked on me, walked out of the store and reminded myself to make an appointment next time.

Author: Cherrón