So I decided to ask the burning questions I’ve always had, and got three awesome women to answer them with no judgement at all.
Lexie Stuart-Reckling, mom of two kids, and owner of Polish Nail Spa in Parkwood, answers some nail and nail salon-related questions.
What is the one guideline you wish everyone could follow in your salon?
I would like everyone to behave in a respectful, courteous fashion to both our staff as well as fellow clients in the spa.
Who should we tip, and how much?
A 10% tip is generous and truly appreciated by our nail technicians. It is however entirely discretionary.
Is it rude to speak on cellphones during treatments?
Like anything I think it is dependent on the manner in which it is handled. I think asking the technicians if they mind and speaking with an “inside voice” on the phone is appropriate. I also think the conversation should be kept as short as possible.
Speaking loudly and throughout the treatment is not only rude to the technicians but to fellow clients too.
What happens if we are running late, or if you are running late?
We try not to run late as much as we can but it is difficult to avoid at all times. We are respectful of a client’s time and always apologise profusely if we are running late.
It is also easier to manage the schedule if clients let us know should they be running late. We can then manage the situation far better than if we are not informed of the late arrival.
Is it considered rude to change a nail polish colour after a few nails have been painted?
Not at all. It would be difficult from a time management perspective if it was after the application of two full coats and a top coat!
Is it okay to read a book or “shut off” during treatments?
Absolutely. Our technicians are trained to “read” what the client wants and respect their wishes for a quiet time.
What happens if nail polish smudges?
It happens frequently and we will ALWAYS make a plan to fix it.
What is the one guideline you wish everyone could follow in your salon?
Enjoy yourself! We want you to come into our salon and totally relax! If you aren’t happy – tell us! We can’t improve if you don’t tell us when something is not to your liking.
Who should we tip, and how much?
Tipping at a salon is not like tipping at a restaurant – there isn’t an expected 10 or 15%. It is very much something that the guest needs to feel comfortable with and more something that you feel is a way of thanking your therapist or nail technician for your experience. We have guests who tip R30 for a R240 treatment to guests who tip over R50 for a R300 treatment. So very much a personal expression of gratitude.
Is it okay to read a book or “shut off” during treatments?
Absolutely! It is your time to relax and enjoy your treatment in the way that suits you best. There is no expectation that you should fill your treatment time with endless conversation.
Is it rude to speak on cellphones during treatments?
While some salons might have preferences around this we certainly do not mind! If coming to our salon is an opportunity to multi-task, please feel free. It is one of the reasons we have wifi on offer for guests as well – sometimes you just need to catch up on emails and get your pedi at the same time!
Should we avoid coming to the salon for waxing etc when it’s that time of month?
So…. there might be some therapists who are totally fine with this. Our therapists don’t mind but using a tampon is advisable. The only thing to consider is that you are likely to be more sensitive at this time and the waxing is therefore likely to be a lot more painful. For this reason our advice would be to reschedule. But we understand that sometimes a wax can’t wait for anyone or anything!
