Any women who has ever gone into a nail salon in the South End knows the powerful effects of the “up sell” machine at play. If you go in and ask for a pedicure they instantly ask if you want a manicure too. If you ask for a manicure & pedicure they ask of you want French tips. And if you’re a Mediterranean woman and venture into the “waxing” category the up sell possibilities become almost endless and board on harassment.
In the past I’ve entered such establishments with my ARMOR UP and quickly make it clear I know exactly what I want and will NOT be sold any more or less. But like clockwork once they get me on the table for my eyebrow wax they inevitably ask “do you want your lip waxed too”. I always get instantly offended that a) my defensive act has had zero effect on them and b) they’ve blatantly pointed out I have a mustache that needs waxing. How dare they?
Fast forward to this past Sunday, when I went in to have a relaxing and blissful pedicure.
“No — just a pedicure, No — not a manicure and No — no French tips”.
As the pedicure was ending and the polish was entering the “dry” phase the technician looked up at me and in her broken english asked “would you like a lip wax”. WHAT? There I sat, bald a cue ball, eyebrows barley hanging on for dear life. Not a stray hair anywhere on my body to speak of and STILL Mi Lee felt the pounding, burning need to try to up sell me. Even she must registered how ludicrous her question was and yet she just couldn’t help herself. I stared at her for a good 30 seconds completely dumfounded. Eventually she just got up and walked away.