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Travel Tales from India and Abroad

Off Topic- Stepping into a ‘Beauty Parlor’

Posted on September 20, 2007
Earlier this week I stepped into a hair cutting shop (OK, they call it a beauty parlor over here) after 4 years. In the past 4 years I managed, that is the beauty of having longer hair.

You see the last time I went, the lady thoroughly scared me off. First she tu-tued me for having a lot of Grey hairs (even 4 years back) and then promptly told me to get it colored. I refused and she looked at me with such a pity! Then her jaws dropped when she saw my brows, she howled, “You don’t shape them?” I am almost sure she added under her breath, “Which zoo has let you loose?” I told her politely, no. Then it came to waxing my arms, and I again had to say no, I never felt the need. Then it came to my skin type and having a facial. I told her I did not had one even before my wedding! I think this shut her up and she finally she proceeded to give me the hair trim that I simply desired my Grey hairs, unshaped brows and what not, notwithstanding.

Now 4 years later I decided enough is enough and my hair need a trim. I stepped into a different parlor this time and a young girl beamed, “What can I do for you?” I too flashed a tentative smile and said, “I need to get my hair trimmed”. She asked me to get seated and then she started, “So many Grey hairs?” and then her gaze traveled to my brows …

Now would you blame me if I do not step into a parlor for another 4 years?

12 thoughts on “Off Topic- Stepping into a ‘Beauty Parlor’”

  1. Cindy says:
    September 20, 2007 at 8:54 pm

    Oh my. This is what I have to look forward to eh? I am definitely a “low-maintenance” type, so I can relate completely!

    Reply
  2. Alka says:
    September 20, 2007 at 7:37 pm

    Girls go through all the troubles to be noticed by guys. :-)But the truth is they hardly notice a girl’s eyebrows or skin type. Its the girls again who notice all these things. But of course the beauty parlors thrives on insecurity of women. 🙂 And what on earth can anyone find flaw with your eyebrows? They are perfect. And facial? After a good game of Table tennis it simply glows!! Take me to the beauty factory along with you next time. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Priyank says:
    September 21, 2007 at 2:45 am

    HAHAHA! See, guy’s haircut saloons are so simple :)BTW I’ve poked you.

    Reply
  4. Smita says:
    September 21, 2007 at 5:32 am

    ‘Being comfortable in one’s skin’ never held truer ;D – though I do all those things because they make me feel better about myself – Yet no matter what you do, it is never enough.

    Reply
  5. Alka says:
    September 21, 2007 at 3:02 am

    Priyak, I beg to differ 🙂 I see men’s beauty parlor too. Guys getting facial or manicure or pedicure. :-)But yes, compared to ladies, men’s parlor are still very few. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Mridula says:
    September 21, 2007 at 5:47 pm

    Alka I will take you along next time :)Cindy, welcome to my blog and thanks a lot for your comment.Priyank, I agree.Alka, I still feel men can go to non fancy places and just get away with a basic haircut. Whereas both the places I went were pretty basic and still …Smita, I never thought of it like that ‘being comfortable in one’s skin’ but I guess that is quite true for me!!

    Reply
  7. backpakker says:
    September 22, 2007 at 5:04 am

    the only thing i really enjoy in a beauty parlour is getting a good oil massage for my head as it clears things 🙂 even there they try to make more money – Girl- Madam- what oil would you like to use ?”me-” Just simple coconut oil”Girl- Maan , your hair type- I would suggest almond oil .”me-” No-pls use coconut. I will try almond another timeA few seconds later ..Girl- you have been travelling, maam ..Me- YesGirl- There seems to be a bit of dandruff ..Me- are you sure its dandruf ?(I always prided myself on never having dandruf- i do have dry scalp though)Girl- well, maybe its your dry scalp “problem” – we would suggest aroma oil soaked in pepper and after wash, we will treat your hair with a serum Me- Well..i suggest that you start the massage and I will think abt it Girl- Are you sure mam, coconut oil -we also have olive oil …(They dont give up- do they …)

    Reply
  8. Mridula says:
    September 22, 2007 at 9:45 am

    Backpakker, thanks for sharing the incident. Sounds quite like my experience!

    Reply
  9. Paavani says:
    September 24, 2007 at 5:47 pm

    I liked this post.They always try to pursue you.I think there are two type of beautiful women.One who are born beautiful.2nd who need BEAUTIparlor!:)

    Reply
  10. Sidhusaaheb says:
    September 24, 2007 at 6:51 pm

    They obviously haven’t heard that the customer is king/queen.

    Reply
  11. Akira says:
    September 25, 2007 at 7:10 am

    LOL Mridula…I can totally relate to it..

    Reply
  12. Mridula says:
    September 25, 2007 at 4:39 pm

    Paavani, I wonder if you blog? Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts.Sidhu, they have heard no such thing.Akira, thanks for saying so!

    Reply

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About Me

I am Mridula Dwivedi and I started this blog in 2005. It has been an amazing ride. I have visited 33 countries till date! I have worked with many tourism boards and prominent travel companies. My blog was featured on the BBC and the Guardian.

I did my Ph.D. from IIT Kanpur. I worked full time in academics till 2015! I quit my job as a professor, thinking I will take a break for one year, which turned into five.

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