Modern Salon - February 2008 - (Page 22)

NOTEBOOK The Front Porch M y all-time favorite quote from a client complimenting her hairdresser is, “She’s cheaper—and better—than a therapist.” It speaks to the humor, trust and deep intimacy of conversations in the salon. Clients feel free to share what’s really on their minds because they see the salon as a safe place. I thought of this recently when Tacoma salon owner, author and educator Aura Mae sent me a web link to a New York Times article on how the presidential primary candidates were visiting salons in South Carolina to woo women voters. Aura said, “Many people believe that women will be the key to this year’s election. Where better to target women than in the community space where they can ‘let their hair down?’” I guess the secret’s out that the salon, as Aura told me, is “the seat and soul of a community,” and up ’til November, we should expect candidates, pollsters and news reporters to be taking the pulse of the voters in the chairs. I think that’s fabulous. Anything that recognizes the true influence of the salon in the social marketplace is good by me. But maybe because I was schooled never to talk politics in a professional setting, I wonder how the salon owners and stylists who are hosting these front-porch political discussions will manage the conversation. This year, there’s bound to be sparks. So I thought I’d ask you: Do you personally hang back from stating your views, or do you wade right in? How do you handle it when two clients with divergent opinions start up on politics, sex or child-rearing? Do you openly support a candidate, a party or a political position in your salon or do you keep your views to yourself? In the common view, hairdressers have the reputation as tireless talkers, but in reality, with each client a successful stylist makes a series of small decisions on what she shares and what she reveals. I’d love to swap strategies with one another on how to get through what promises to be a long year of spirited conversations. Drop me a line at matherton@ modernsalon.com, and I’ll print your responses in our next issue. Alternatively, post your thoughts immediately on my own front porch, my blog at modernsalon.com, and we can have a chat of our own. “Clients feel free to share ” what’s really on their minds because they see the salon as a safe place. Mary Atherton Editor in Chief E-mail Mary Atherton at matherton@modernsalon.com. Visit her blog at ModernSalon.com. 22 FEBRUARY 2008 CLICK! www.modernsalon.com http://www.modernsalon.com http://ModernSalon.com http://www.modernsalon.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Modern Salon - February 2008

Modern Salon - February 2008 Contents Behind the Cover Notebook Beauty Matters Contributors @ModernSalon.com New-Now-Next Modern Portfolio Modern Reports As the Experts Choose Beauty Build It, Then What...? Toolbox: Shopping Sharp Star Power Runway Reality Haute Chocolate Modern Update The Goods Personal Style

Modern Salon - February 2008

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