All of us have that little somethin’ somethin’ that makes us unique, and nail techs are no exception. The problem comes when being our unique selves causes problems for others. So instead of being “special,” we end up acting like…well...a jerk. We couldn’t possibly be talking about you, right? Take our quiz to find out.

1. It’s the end of your work week. Knowing you’ll be gone for a couple of days, what do you do with the food you’ve accumulated in the staff refrigerator?
a. I take care of it before I leave.
b. I may leave it until I get back or tell a friend she can have it. Somebody usually wants it.
c. I don’t worry about it. If it goes bad, someone will eventually throw it out.

2. A client tells you that the restroom is out of toilet paper (or soap or paper towels...). You:
a. Get up and replace it immediately.
b. Finish your service, but alert someone (a tech without a client or the front desk staff) so the issue can be resolved.
c. Thank your client for letting you know and assume the cleaning staff or a coworker will take care of it.

3. A coworker has a habit that drives you absolutely crazy — maybe she talks loudly, snaps her gum, or laughs with food in her mouth. How do you respond?
a. I ignore it. I probably do things that annoy people too. It’s called being human.
b. I’m likely to say something. Maybe she doesn’t know it’s annoying!
c. OMG. You’re talking about everyone at work. I usually just have a good laugh with my client.

4. You’re within earshot of an interesting conversation at a different workstation. You:
a. Ignore it. I don’t want clients to think everyone is eavesdropping on their conversations.
b. Listen quietly and jump in only if I see the body language of the client invites “outside” comments.
c. Listen, if I can hear it, I’m part of it. That’s the beauty of the salon — we all get to be involved in all client conversations

5. You’ve agreed to take care of a coworker’s clients while she is on vacation. At the end of the service, you:
a. Reschedule the client’s next appointment back into your coworker’s schedule.
b. Remind her to schedule her next appointment before she leaves.
c. Schedule the client’s next appointment into your own schedule.

6. As a modern woman (or man), you’re not nearly as sensitive to swearing and off-color jokes as your puritan parents. At work, do you monitor your language and conversation topics?
a. Definitely. The workplace is not the pub.
b. Depends on the client. I know who can handle the uncensored version.
c. Nope. Freedom of speech, baby. If clients can’t handle it, they aren’t my kind of client.

7. You view punctuality as:
a. An issue of respect. I would never make a client wait on me.
b. A solid goal. I arrive right on time, but still need to prepare my desk (and myself) as the client takes off her polish.
c. A suggestion. I’m not always right on time, but I’ll always call my client or the receptionist to let them know I’m on my way.

8. After a night out with friends, you’re still a little (or a lot) drunk. How do you handle it at work?
a. I literally don’t understand this question. It wouldn’t happen.
b. I’d feel terrible, but I’d press through and hope my client didn’t realize it. Worse case, I’d call another tech to work for me.
c. Bottoms up! I’d bite the tail of the dog that bit me! My client wouldn’t even know it — she would just think I’m having a good day.

9. What’s your position on calling in sick?
a. Very last resort. I know it affects not only my clients but my coworkers (not to mention it’s a pain to reschedule everyone).
b. Other jobs allow sick days, and every now and then I need them, too.
c. I come to work no matter what. I know some people wish I wouldn’t spread my germs, but I have work to do.

10. A client asks for a service for which you do not have the tools/supplies. But your coworker, who isn’t there, does. What do you do?
a. I call the coworker and ask if I can use her stuff. If I can’t get ahold of her, I tell the client b. I can’t do what she wants.
c. I use them, and I let my coworker know I did — plus I replace any supplies I used.
I use them, but I’m not uptight about replacing what I used. There’s no harm in sharing, especially if it didn’t cost anything.

11. Have you ever trash-talked a coworker to another tech?
a. No way. I know alliances change like the weather. Next thing you know, they’ll be talking about me.
b. I’ve been known to — but I also say something directly to the person, so it’s not as though I’m talking behind their back.
c. Of course. We all have bad days and that’s just part of working in a salon. People talk.

12. You’re feeling irritable and spicy. Maybe it’s something legit, like trouble at home. Or maybe it’s just the cycle of the moon. How do you act once you get to work?
a. I have a cup of tea, turn on my favorite music, and switch gears so I’m happy for my clients and coworkers.
b. I’m professional at work, but let my coworkers know I’m having a bad day.
c. I complain all day with my clients and coworkers. That’s what friends are for — plus I’m hilarious when I’m complaining.