SWB at Sally Beauty

[CurliDiva]

I think I had my first SHOPPING WHILE BLACK experience at Sally Beauty Supply on Saturday…….

I already had made selections and was holding several products, when a saleslady (white, older woman) approached me. She asked if she could help me and I responded no. I told her I was just checking out the coupon for a free tote with the purchase of ion products.

She lingers beside me and then asks me – “Is your hair real?”

I looked at her, and asked her “why she is asking”.

She replied “They wear fake hair all the time” – while gesturing with her hand like a claw on the top of her head. I assume that she was trying to mimic a fake bun but since my hair was loose, and not sure what the purpose was. Again as I’m looking at her making this gesture, I ask her …..”Who are the “they” that she is referring to.”

She then hesitates ..........(I guess she realizes that a nearly 6-foot tall black woman is watching her intently).........and then she said “customers” weakly...... Again I’m just looking at her, not quite believing I’m seeing and hearing her talk this way........ I guess when she realizes that I’m just staring at her with no intention of answering her question. She mumbles, well your hair is pretty couple of times, and then walked off.

Now I guess I should add that this store is in predominantly white area -- the only black folks in the store was me and a young salesgirl at the counter.

I had already been in 2 of the 4 aisles of the store already before she approached (this is a very small store) – and had overheard her talking to customers and she never asked any of the other customers (all of whom happen to be white) in the store if their hair was REAL!

I guess I looked like a “they” to her, and could not possibly be born with hair?

I sat my selections on the counter and walked out the store.

At its most innocence this was inappropriate question and an awkward (to say the least) exchange……..at its worst it was racial motivated (which I suspect because of her quick response that “they” wear fake hair all the time)…………..either way it was HORRBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!

 

[Kiki82]

omg!!! that sucks that that happened to you! I know she felt like an total idiot! You are right that is horrible customer service...the nerve of some people....

 

[LadyPaniolo]

That is terrible. What a racist. It's such a pain dealing with jerks like that.

 

[NYAmicas]

That's ridiculous!

 

[tbaby_8]

Depending on the age of the woman and where you are located (south or north), it depends. Now don't get me wrong, I am NOT condoning what she did, but in her little world, she may have thought what she did was totally acceptable, because back in the day she would have gotten away with saying that to somebody that is a "they". Yes, I would be offended by what she did and gently tried to school her that, "they" don't all wear fake hair. But you have a right to be upset.

 

[SuchMagnificent]

You know, I would have asked her a bunch of different questions about those hair care products in my hand to see if she was "knowledgeable" about them, since she worked in a Beauty Supply, just to get under her skin.. Then I would have politely asked her if her hair was real..Sorry, I'm just stupid like that

 

[cutiebe2]

Depending on the age of the woman and where you are located (south or north), it depends. Now don't get me wrong, I am NOT condoning what she did, but in her little world, she may have thought what she did was totally acceptable, because back in the day she would have gotten away with saying that to somebody that is a "they". Yes, I would be offended by what she did and gently tried to school her that, "they" don't all wear fake hair. But you have a right to be upset.

ITA

plus I don't think she was trying to be malicious. Ignorant yes, but many people are in this country

 

[TaurusAngel]

Now that is sad. I'm so sorry this happened to you. See.... I am happy this hasn't happened to me because my foot would have found itself a new home.

 

[sprungonhairboards]

Well they do.

 

[Coffee]

Girl when I first saw your post I thought you were talking about some product....duh!! Your experienced should've have even happened....just sad!!

 

[natural2008]

Girl call Sally's corporate department and send them a letter as well. I was in Sally's one day girl picked up an item and put it back nad went to the counter to purchase another product. When I got to the counter the sales woman who was in the aisle asked me where I put the item and I said what and the cashier rang me up for the item that I picked up and put back on the shelf and not for the item that I had in hand. So instead of her ringing up my item with the hand gun she keyed it in and that was when I said the item on your screen is not the item that I am purchasing. Girrrrrrrrrrrrrl I went off after gettting their names and told them that I am an educated black woman with several college degrees yadddyahddddyah. As soon as I got home I called the corporate office and left a message for the districk manager mailed a letter that day. A couple of weeks later Sallys corportate sent me a message to let me know that they were sorry this has happened yadddyahddddyah and sent me a gift card. Yall I was so angry. Girl dont let them get away with that.

 

[DarkHair]

I am sorry this happened to you too. I also thought this was a product rave!

I agree with natural2008. Let the corporate office know. I'm curious though, if she WORKS in Sally's, shouldn't she have been able to tell if your hair was real or fake? Doesn't Sally's also sell fake hair for women of caucasian decent?

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

I think I had my first SHOPPING WHILE BLACK experience at Sally Beauty Supply on Saturday…….

Hugs to you. I've ONLY had SWB at Sally's. In fact, I sent in a formal complaint. Our last SWB moment was during the Silk Elements sale where they had buy 1 get 1 on some great new moisturizing treatments. Of course, we got "immediate" help way back there in the Black section. I told her I didn't need help but was perusing and if I in fact needed help, I'd let her know. I was smiling and very gentle. She stayed there, talking endlessly about whatever she was talking about and asked us if we saw the SE products. She still stayed there after I had my hand on it. I finally had to tell the lady that we'd be up to purchase when we're done shopping. What a jerk! I see her often and STILL have to tell her and these other shmucks that...."no, thank you, but I do not need help and ...I will be up "there" when I'm done." Sigh.

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

ITA

plus I don't think she was trying to be malicious. Ignorant yes, but many people are in this country

And the world in general. In my former country, I was just entering a beauty supply and this lady said that it's 200 bucks and several months in jail for shoplifting. That was when we were entering the store. Oy.

 

[SlantedEyezMiss2003]

So closed minded...it's 2008 almost 2009, comments like that shouldn't even exist.

 

[HoneyDew]

Forget racially motivated, she sounds slow and/or dumb.

Was she American? She sound like she does not speak English well or something.

ugh. But, I think it is best to keep positive energy.

"Is my hair real? Why, yes."

Make people think it is not that serious. Let them realize we have beautiful hair, too and there is no need to act brand new.

 

[Peacan Tan]

Girl call Sally's corporate department and send them a letter as well.


This is so true! When ever "they" get mad "they"don't cuss you out, they may use strong words but then they put it on paper and get a couple of homies to write letters. The next thing you know they're on Oprah or 60 mins is doing a story.The pen is mightier than the sword. (Did I say that right?)

 

[diligence]

You should write to the corporate headquarters and let them know of your experience...I would...

 

[sqzbly1908]

Girl call Sally's corporate department and send them a letter as well. I was in Sally's one day girl picked up an item and put it back nad went to the counter to purchase another product. When I got to the counter the sales woman who was in the aisle asked me where I put the item and I said what and the cashier rang me up for the item that I picked up and put back on the shelf and not for the item that I had in hand. So instead of her ringing up my item with the hand gun she keyed it in and that was when I said the item on your screen is not the item that I am purchasing. Girrrrrrrrrrrrrl I went off after gettting their names and told them that I am an educated black woman with several college degrees yadddyahddddyah. As soon as I got home I called the corporate office and left a message for the districk manager mailed a letter that day. A couple of weeks later Sallys corportate sent me a message to let me know that they were sorry this has happened yadddyahddddyah and sent me a gift card. Yall I was so angry. Girl dont let them get away with that.

I was just about to post the same thing!!!! Go straight corporate!!!! I do it all the time and when I tell you I get results....

 

[Tybi]

Sally's is going down customer service wise. I rotate between 3 in my area just to avoid the crappy salespeople. I THOUGHT you had be a cosmetologist or at least be knowledgeable about hair care products, but I know more than some of those dopes! Not to mention rude too...

I had a WWB (working while black)episode. Co-worker asked if my hair was real or a weave. I am natural and sometimes straighten, sometimes wear wash n go's. So I can see how the different lengths/textures can be a little confusing. I was willing to forgive her the slight and was about to school her on some hair, when she proceeds to go on about black women and how they look when they take out their weaves, and how they all have such short hair, etc etc. If the economy wasn't so bad, I MIGHT be jobless now!!!

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

I don't think she was being racist. Most black people that she sees prolly do have shoulder length or shorter or unhealthy hair. I mean, I don't see many APL or longer girls running around Jackson Ms. Out of all my friends I know maybe 4 with APL or longer hair.....I mean....If that's all she sees, that's all she sees. I would have said, Yes this is my hair, I take pride and great care in my hair to keep it healthy. Then she will know Black people CAN grow their hair long.

 

[Oasis]

She was rude and I would have done the same thing you did.

I'm still trying to understand why she said 'they' though. Wouldn't it be 'you people'?

 

[Tybi]

I don't think she was being racist. Most black people that she sees prolly do have shoulder length or shorter or unhealthy hair. I mean, I don't see many APL or longer girls running around Jackson Ms. Out of all my friends I know maybe 4 with APL or longer hair.....I mean....If that's all she sees, that's all she sees. I would have said, Yes this is my hair, I take pride and great care in my hair to keep it healthy. Then she will know Black people CAN grow their hair long.

Oh she is definitely not racist, she is actually very sweet, but like Oasis said it was rude. Now I have gotten comments like that in the past, from people asking how my hair is so long (barely APL) when other black girls don't usually have long hair. I am sure she doesn't see that too often, heck I don't see that too often myself. My problem is that I have lived in suburbia my whole life, and I get tired of answering questions about the black race like I am some kind of representative of everyone. "why do they do this" and "why that". And like oasis said who is THEY? Its like I have crossed over to other side or something. I don't mind the questions, but at some point common sense should kick in as to what is appropriate to say and what isn't!!!

 

[Tybi]

Then she will know Black people CAN grow their hair long.

Oh she knows now!

 

[trj1922]

This reminds me of when I was working in a retail store in Southern California and some random Latino guy walks up to me at the counter. After my standard, "How can I help you?" He pipes up, "I want you to show me how to dress like YOU people!"

In my mind I'm going "what the hell?" on my face there was only confusion because I'm wearing a conservatively cut black suit with a cream-colored blouse and black loafers. He continues, "You know, like you guys, flashy-like!" Then he extends his wrist so I can see the garishly chunky gold bracelet he's wearing. erplexed

This dude had clearly fallen off of a turnip truck fairly recently, so I was irritated and tickled all at the same time. Anyway, I told him that I wasn't really sure what he was asking for but that I would find a co-worker who might be able to better assist him. He looked really disappointed as I walked away shaking my head.

 

[CurliDiva]

Thanks for all of the support Ladies!

I'm not buying the ..........."if she's old", .........."if sh'e from the south", ........"she's just dumb not racist", excuses!

That old chick knew exactly what was coming out of her mouth!

I sent a complaint to Corporate, and will let you know if I hear back!

 

[wish4length]

This is why the majority of my products come from CVS or Walmart

 

[mommyoftheyear]

That is crazy! I would have started asking her ?'s about white peoples hair like I heard when some people get there hair wet it smells like wet dog? etc Like Steve Harvey said God ain't through with me yet!

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

the one I go to in a white neighborhood, has AA working in there and pple must steal from there all the time cause the whole time your shopping they stretching their necks to see what your doing down the aisle. It's like being in a korean BSS, except they're not following you around they sneaking and peeking.

 

[Lei*Lei]

I admit she was bold for saying that...but i don't think she was being racist. Maybe all the black people that come into that store do have fake hair or short unhealthy hair. I'm not saying she was not wrong for even asking you though. I've been asked if this was my hair by both white and black people. I'm pretty sure they were not racist.

But i don't know her issues. I can only talk from my experiences.