Am I An Intolerant Victoria Meldrew?

I like to know what I'm booking for to be honest.
In my case I'd make the appointment and say, "please ask Mandi to call me when she has a moment" (Mandi being my hairdresser).
Then I could remind her of what was usual and she can use the 10 mins hair-washing time for something else. Why not call back if you're bothered? It would save a trip in.

As it's bothering you I would phone back to clarify, just for peace of mind.
Can you make next appointment while you are at the salon?

It's not such a big thing that it's worth losing sleep over, but phone back so that it's dealt with.

You’re not being intolerant, you’re frustrated.
You made a phone call and expected to convey what you needed done.
The salon is at fault.
If you had been having a face to face with the receptionist this misunderstanding wouldn’t have happened.

Just one of life’s annoyances OP, I would just go in as usual for your appointment.

Sounds like something from Curb Your Enthusiasm😁

I know I took a tough line above but if I'm honest some things that seem small to others do loom large for me, in which case I'd ask the hairdresser to ring me back in advance so's it wasn't on my mind.

I agree that you are not being grumpy, but I do think you are catastrophising a bit. Your hairdresser knows the arrangement, and should have no problem in complying with your wishes. So what's the worst that can happen? The salon loses out on ten minutes or so of useful time? Well, in that case it is on them to sort out the situation, as it was caused by their receptionist's poor English. If it matters to them, they will.

It is frustrating to have conversations that go nowhere because of language difficulties, and IMO it is up to employers to ensure that these frustrations are kept to a minimum. It's not being intolerant to expect that a receptionist (or call centre worker, or any customer-facing employee) can communicate effectively. It's nobody's fault, but it doesn't make sense to put someone who has problems communicating in English to be a front-line member of staff.

I think you should be kind to yourself, and maybe have a chat with your hairdresser about it when you see her.

You are complaining about her understanding of English, so yes I would say you are being intolerant.

Actually, depending on where my hairdresser is, in my case on the way to the gym where I go regularly, I'd just pop in enroute and have a quick word when its convenient. I'm still up for accepting that someone on the phone might be perfectly capable of making appointments but not something more complex - everyone has to start somewhere - but you could also have asked to speak to someone else when it got difficult? Mind you, thats the sort of thing you think of after its happened "if only I'd"... this or that".

Theexwife

You are complaining about her understanding of English, so yes I would say you are being intolerant.

Why is it intolerant to expect someone with a customer-facing role to understand English? In the UK?

Absolutely right Doodledog.

Doodledog

Theexwife

You are complaining about her understanding of English, so yes I would say you are being intolerant.

Why is it intolerant to expect someone with a customer-facing role to understand English? In the UK?

I agree with you Doodledog whatever country you work in you should have a working knowledge of the language especially if you are the receptionist. How many of us have complained about phoning up a company etc. and been put through to a call centre in Asia where the poor people do not understand us or we them.

As it’s bothering you, I would phone back to clarify

And if the same person answers the phone….?

If someone at the hairdresser had caused a serious health problem they would have heard from my solicitor by now, and probably settled out of court.

You could have lost your hearing!

Please go ahead with your usual appointment and have a quiet word with your hairdresser about what happened during your call. I had one or two problems at my salon which were very quickly resolved in this way. Please also remember that while it’s frustrating trying to communicate with someone who struggles with their English it’s so much harder for such people to cope on the phone than face to face. I speak French fairly fluently but always struggle on the phone or when there’s a lot of background noise. I admire people who come to our country and learn English. It’s not easy. I think it’s our duty to help them and be understanding. Also vacancies are currently very hard to fill.

Calendargirl

^As it’s bothering you, I would phone back to clarify^

And if the same person answers the phone….?

Either give them a second chance, ask to talk to someone else or ask for your own hairdresser to give you a call when she can.

Alternatively write a note and drop it in when passing.

Don't get stressed over this, just go to the appointment with your hair already washed at home as you have done in the past. I am sure your regular hairdresser will understand and perhaps then you can both explain to the person who answered the phone exactly what you meant - give the girl a chance, we all have to learn.

My hairdresser suddenly closed about 3 weeks ago. I had been going there for 25 years. For the last ten years I have only had a dry cut as the junior assistants did the hair washing bit and it was not pleasant.

I also hate water near my ears after I had an ear infection so I understand your concern.

I’d rather go to the dentist than a hairdressing salon. My current hairdresser come to the house, she’s in and out in about 30 minutes, dry cut ie sprayed with a bottle of water. But I can see OP’s point - I’ve had as many disasters as anybody and have wanted to hide indoors till it grew out - as she just wants what she’s used to, for good reasons. Let us know how it goes OP!

Calendargirl

^As it’s bothering you, I would phone back to clarify^

And if the same person answers the phone….?

Ask for your hairdresser by name.
If unavailable leave your number for a call-back.

No, you are not intolerant! If people want to work with the public they should speak clearly! That goes for native English speakers too who gabble and mumble! My Czech daughter in law speaks better than a lot of English do.

I've been having a dry cut for years. Why is it a problem?

I feel both for you, LRavenscroft and for the poor woman forced to answer a phone when her English is not up to it!

You are the customer and have an arrangement, so you are fully justified in expecting your hairdresser to know that you come as usual with newly washed hair. I would not bother going in the day before to confirm this, but I might phone and ask to speak to my usual hairdresser.

As to the receptionist: I changed language and country at the age of 16 and spent two horribly embarrassing years gradually improving my language skills in my new language, and dreading having to use a phone.

Face to face conversations are far easier, as the person you are talking to can see when you are at a loss and usually help you out.

The phone is the devil's invention at this linguistic stage as the person on the line cannot see whether the receptionist is genuinely at a loss or just being difficult.

Someone has to answer the phone, and her language skills will only improve through use, but honestly whoever runs the business should try and help the receptionist, or simply take her off the reception desk until her English is up to answering the phone.

Just ask for a spray cut and wash your hair before you go.

I'm getting to be more of a "Grumpy old lady" by the day. My patience level sinks by the week...😉