[mama pajama]

I am a hairstylist and recently went back to work after 6 years. Due to a mix up by the receptionist, I was scheduled a blow dry style that was actually a updo last Saturday for a wedding (bridesmaid). I've only done 2 updos in 6-7 years so you can imagine my anxiety! I took 2x as long as everyone else but I finished. Before I finished the mother of the bride came over and said she "thought it looked messy" among other things that let me know she didn't like it. I earnestly asked her what she wanted differently and tried to appease her. After a while she kind of said "well, what do I know? Don't listen to me" because the bridesmaid said she was fine with it. They left.

My success is during the MOB telling me (loudly) she didn't like it, I realized that I was not upset! Before if anyone said they didn't like something, especially a updo, I would get extremely anxious and even more agitated which always came across and made the situation worse. It also would've ruined that whole day plus a couple more! I didn't get accelerated heart-rate or a pit in my stomach! I didn't get agitated at all! I kind of thought "well, I did my best! I now have 1 more updo under my belt" I know through practice is the only way to improve!

Of course through out the next few days the thought of a bad review kept creeping into my head. I would start to think of a response I could write if that happened. I would catch that and think "what's the worse thing that can happen from a bad review? I'm not going to go to jail or anything. I won't get fired." it was almost exciting to realize I actually could feel ok with that type of situation.

[TishaBuv]

Good job! You tried to give her what she wanted and make her happy. Luckily, the bridesmaid thought it was fine.

If they give you a bad review, you can just say something like you do your best to please everybody and you hope they'll come see you again and give you another chance to do better.

[Gabbie1314]

This is so great! I work in retail and there are always customers who are not happy no matter what you do but as long as you know you did everything you could do- that is all that matters! I hope things continue going well for you!

[mama pajama]

Thanks! Last night I found out the mother of the bride has a history of being obnoxious in the salon. I am glad I just found this out as I tend to go into victim mode if someone is unhappy with me. My husband also started pointing out she probably was after a reduction in the bill, I had to stop him and say "or maybe she just didn't like what I did, I'm ok with that"
I guess thinking of all these "what ifs" are counterproductive to me now. I just have to go on what she said and learn from that. It sounds corny but I feel so much better than I have in years!