Do You Talk With Your Manicurist or Keep Silent? 2010-07-16 08:03:30

Do You Talk With Your Manicurist?

July 16, 2010

Not too long ago, I watched a woman gab on her cell phone while getting a manicure. While there's no rule that says you must engage in a full-on conversation with your manicurist during a service, do you feel awkward if you talk on your phone, read, or simply sit there in silence instead? I'm sure nail techs are used to both chatty and not-so-chatty clients either way. However, when it comes to getting manicures, what's your conversation style?

Source: Thinkstock

20 Comments

twk601 2 years 44 weeks

I talk a lot with my tech she speaks English fairly well but always wants to expand her vocabulary she will ask about words she hears on the news and does not understand, and she always likes to learn about american traditions no one had explained holidays like memorial or labor day to her.

2 years 44 weeks

I would never talk on the phone, it seems rather rude to me. I like to flip through a magazine, rather then make small talk, but of course I engage in the necessary/polite pleasantries.

2 years 44 weeks

I live in a country that doesn't use my native language. Sometimes I talk to my manicurist but it's much more relaxing for her and for me if she talks to her coworkers and I just practice listening. I love listening to them talk. Half the time it's about current tv shows (I think)

2 years 44 weeks

getting your nails done is the one time where i don't feel like i have to BS with a stranger. i don't feel bad at all...i'm paying her to do my nails. likewise, if i'm getting a phone call and it's important, i'll take it (but only if the salon isn't busy)

postmodernsleaze 2 years 44 weeks

I'm always really quiet and I think it makes the manicurist uncomfortable haha. But I'm just no good at small talk with strangers.

soapbox 2 years 44 weeks

A little, but there's a language barrier which kills the conversation. A lot of my neighbors go to the same salon I go to and I always see someone I know there so I talk to them.

kohina 2 years 44 weeks

I can't understand half of what the lady who does my pedicures says. So most of the time I just nod my head and try to be as cordial as possible haha.

aimeeb 2 years 44 weeks

Nothing wrong with a little banter...

bunnyhorse 2 years 44 weeks

I do my own nails! I prefer it, because the salon always smells so strongly of chemicals. Not to mention it saves me money! The last time I went to a salon the girl working on my nails didn't speak English very well, and when I told her I didn't want square tips, she told me my style was like "old lady."

Sundown321 2 years 44 weeks

I agree with gingirl and everyone else who said talking on the phone is rude! I wouldn't even consider that an option! Wow!When I used to get my nails done I went to someone who I could talk to. She also had a few TVs on the wall and she was a huge fan of Will Ferrell movies so we would watch those too!

Sundown321 2 years 44 weeks

I agree with gingirl and everyone else who said talking on the phone is rude! I wouldn't even consider that an option! Wow! When I used to get my nails done I went to someone who I could talk to. She also had a few TVs on the wall and she was a huge fan of Will Ferrell movies so we would watch those too!

gingirl 2 years 44 weeks

Depends on the place I go, but mostly it's just pleasantries and then I sit back and relax. But I wouldn't talk on my phone the whole time, because then that is not only rude to your manicurist but to the people around you at the salon. They may be in conversations or quietly relaxing and being on the phone is a disturbance

bisou002 2 years 44 weeks

I wouldn't chat on my phone, but I like to read. I'm sure many nail techs prefer working in silence than having to make idle small talk, anyways (not to mention, english is a second language for many of them in my area so I don't know how comfortable they would be).

Girl Jen 2 years 44 weeks

If the manicurist wants to talk, I'll talk. If not, I'll be quiet. She's the one working and doing me a huge favor by doing my nails.

pss 2 years 44 weeks

The manicurists are my friends so we don't stop talking!

fantastische 2 years 44 weeks

depends on the manicurist, i will talk to anyone! but sometimes, like during a spa mani/pedi i just like to relax and enjoy something actually being done for me!