sometimes you get what you pay for

A few weeks ago I buy two Amazon Local coupons to a new nail place.  The deal is $25, for a manicure, pedicure, and ten-minute massage.  I go around Thanksgiving and get a man who does an awful job.  I think he was recruited off the street. This afternoon I call to make an appointment to use the second coupon.  I request a female.

It’s freezing outside, and only a few degrees warmer inside the nail salon.  A couple of space heaters are in use.  The three manicurists who are working seem annoyed that a client has appeared.  It is clear they would rather be hanging out amongst themselves.  But as it turns out, having clients does not diminish their boisterous conversation in a foreign language (Korean, I think).  In fact, two of them are talking back and forth so loudly that the one other patron in the salon says, “Hey, can you guys please stop talking?  It’s not relaxing at all.”  I am grateful for someone else being the bitch this time.

I have my nails cut short, and chose an Essie polish called No More Film.  On Essie’s website, the polish is described as “a creamy, seductive, deep violet.”  This color has been discontinued. Not surprising that this salon uses last year’s colors.

In fairness, my manicurist is very sweet and does a nice job.  She is small, but strong.  Her wonderful massage feels like it’s from a 300-pound sumo wrestler.

While quietly sitting on a massage chair with the heater warming me, one of the workers sits down in the chair next to me, and starts playing games on her iPhone with the volume up.  I hear annoying bings, and whoops, and other strange sounds.  Ah, now I am the bitch.  I ask her to please turn the volume off.  In response, her English-challenged friend asks me if I want the massage function turned off on my chair.  “No, I want her to turn her phone off so I don’t have to listen to her game.”   I am sure they are happy when I leave.

Oh, the name of the place, in case you are interested in not going, is Elegant Nail and Spa — perhaps they should consider a name change.