How Do I Discourage Salon Gossip?

I encourage a professional atmosphere. When a client gossips, I quickly change the conversation to a nail-related topic. Gossip can only live if it is repeated. If a client gossips, let it stop with you Be cautious because if you gossip, you’ll end up being the subject of gossip! Stay professional Katherian Harris Nail Creations Odessa, Texas

If there’s a problem with someone in the salon, you should be able to go and talk to her face to face, not behind her back I’m about to hire a nail technician and I will tell her that I discourage salon gossip because it can be devastating. We’re going to have meetings once a month. If there are any problems, we can talk about them at the meeting.

Gail King Classy Nails by Gail Portsmouth, Va.

I have a home-based salon and I arrange it so that when one client is leaving the other one is coming in. The fewer people in the salon, the less gossip you have to deal with If the conversation is between my client and me, it’s OK. If one client savs something about another client, I’ll let her know that I don’t care to talk about another client and I’ll change the subject.

Teresa Lains Just For You Lithonia, Ga.

I try not to participate in gossip. If a coworker talks negatively about a client, I’ll say something positive about her. I don’t think it’s fair to gossip about a client when she’s not there to defend herself. Erin Kenney Elegance Nail Establishment Grand Junction, Colo.

I stay neutral on the subject. I don’t agree or disagree with the person gossiping. I show the client that I’m not interested in the subject. Sometimes I’ll have an opposite viewpoint and voice it. Then she’ll realize that we don’t see eye to eye and she’ll drop the subject.Stephanie Logue Artistic Reflections Decatur, Ill.

 Usually, the client I’m with tells me all her problems. If she and another client are having similar problems, I’ll refer to the other client’s situation without mentioning her name. I once left a salon because the owner told everybody’s business. So when I opened my own salon, I decided to keep my clients’ business private. I don’t ever want my clients to tell others, “You can go to her to get your nails done, but don’t tell her anything.” Patricia Montanino Nail Art by Patricia Islip, N.Y.