long-distance relationships.

You well know that Brentt [hair stylist] and I have been doing things long distance the last couple month.  [The I-call-him-when-I-need-him-sort-of-thing.]

Well, as anyone who has been in a long-distance relationship [with their hair stylist] can attest, it’s hard.  It’s really hard.  I’m beginning to understand why long distance simply doesn’t work [for my head of hair].    It’s hard to find the time to dedicate going to visit him and … well …

I cheated on him.  On Thursday, I had a date [an appointment] with someone else.  It was closer and more convenient.  Don’t give me that look – I wasn’t happy about it either.

I regret it already.

First of all, it wasn’t nearly as welcoming or awesome as Brentt.  I walked in and no one – NO ONE – said a word to me.  So I just sat down in the waiting area and waited for them to acknowledge me.  I was not offered coffee [Apparently every other customer was offered coffee.  I probably wouldn’t have drank it anyways.  Dumb coffee at the stupid salon.] and I was told to take off my coat … but wasn’t directed where to put it.  [When I have dates, err, appointments with Brent, my coat is always whisked away and then he helps me put it back on at the end of our time together.]

And Brentt.  Oh, Brentt.  He’s such a good listener [about the kind of cut I want].  On Thursday, I wasn’t listened to at all.  I told her I liked my hair big.  Five minutes later, she’s telling me that way she’s going to cut my hair will minimize the big-ness of short curly hair.  And Brentt takes the towel and dries the inside of my ears.  sigh  I guess that just a Brentt thing.  Not every [hair stylist to customer] relationship is the same.

New stylist: Do you ever flat iron?

Me: Not anymore.  I like it curly.  I’ve embraced the curls.

Yes, that conversation happened.  And wouldn’t you know, without even asking [Brentt would have asked] she styled my hair straight.  If listening is a key component to relationships, I don’t see this one going any further. 

Sure, I pay Brentt a lot of money to be with me [and play with my hair, dry the inside of my ears and offer me coffee] but I think what you pay for is what you get.  [Ah, the golden rule to every relationship.]  On Thursday, as I paid at the desk with my card, the lady handed back my receipt to sign and I asked, “Can I not add a tip to this?”  Her response? “I could of if you had told me before.”  Awesome.  Well I didn’t know because she never asked … and all I had was a $5 bill in my wallet.  I handed that over and she said, “Thank you.  That’s very generous of you.”

A $5 tip on a $20 crappy haircut?  Only Brentt deserves so much of my affection and appreciation [as shown through money from one customer to her gay hair stylist].