The Missing Golden Rule

I recently wrote that people are “no longer willing to be paid to be miserable, unhappy, stressed out, etc…” (Following Your Passion).

I have personally found that I am also no longer willing to pay someone to treat me unkindly, disrespectfully or apathetically ; this really came home to me with regards to my hairdresser.

About six-seven weeks ago, I arrived for my scheduled hair appointment and was informed that my hairdresser no longer worked there. The salon did try to reach me to let me know, but our phones had been down for a few days. The salon offered an appointment with another beautician; I accepted.

This haircut (at the same salon) cost double what the previous haircut cost and my scalp was very prominent after this haircut.

I spent the next three weeks being called “sir” when I was out and about.

I called the salon, reported my experience and promptly fired them.

I did some asking around to find another hairdresser. I heard story after story of: how this beautician kept rescheduling her client; another one was always showing up late; another would often forget the appointment; yet another ruined the client’s hair; etc.

Over a few weeks I did hear one or two good referrals, but at this point I was annoyed and no longer cared to keep hunting.

All I kept thinking was – what happened to integrity, respect and pride in one’s livelihood? What happened to treating others, especially those who contract your services, with respect and dignity?

The Missing Golden Rule

I am a really big fan of the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule (in Jan-Lingo) means don’t do anything to anyone that you do not want done to you.

Pretty straightforward.

And somehow frequently missing in interactions nowadays.

Enough!

So, my hair needs to be cut every three-four weeks…it had now been well beyond that; I was beginning to look like a shaggy dog.

I awoke Thursday and said, “Enough!”  I pulled out the old electric clippers that I had used many years ago on our dog, Skippy, and started on my hair.

Okay, you are probably saying, “Jan! What were you thinking?!”

I was thinking, “Thank you, Skippy!”

My hair is still longer than the last unfortunate haircut – a bit too short above one ear (the price of experimenting) – but it’ll do.

I was actually a bit pleased with myself. It is by no means professional near perfect, but I did it. I will do it again in 4-6 weeks, and continue to experiment on myself until I am ready to begin the hunt again for another hairdresser…if ever.

It is a small stand against paying to mistreated, but it is a stand none-the-less.

by Jan Toomer

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