People are fond of commenting on the disappearance of “common sense.” But a lot of people who make these comments fail to apply common sense to their own comments; assuming that just because they know or understand something, that everyone else should know or understand the same thing. Essentially misunderstanding the concept of common sense altogether and, instead, applying their personal definition to the term.

Which gets even more interesting in an increasingly global community where individuals interact with people from other countries and cultures on a personal level daily.

Common sense isn’t common because what’s common in one place is completely unheard of somewhere else — “everyone knows that the traffic light on Lover’s Lane and Millwood doesn’t detect motorcycles!” Uhhhh... except for the seven billion people on the planet who’ve never sat at that light on a motorcycle.

But there ought to be some things that are common sense among people who work in salons. It ought to go without saying that you need to keep your station clean. That you should never leave your station covered in dust, with implements on the table, or an arbor band on your drill. “Everyone” should know that you don’t mix chemicals, that you don’t reuse soiled implements or table towels.

What’s really missing isn’t so much common sense, so much as critical thinking. It amazes me what amazes others. Really? It never occurred to you that if you drop the handpiece to your drill with the bit in it that it’ll bend the bit? Really? It’s a total revelation to you that using gels in front of the UV light (as is common in doing your own nails) just might result in destroying a bottle of gel-polish? Really? It’s total freakin’ news to you that if you don’t enter your appointments into your calendar that you might forget them … or double-book yourself … or get caught off guard when someone walks through the door and you’re in the middle of doing your own nails?

Yeah. I think this should be common sense. But even if it isn’t, how did you get into this business and never think of these things yourself?

When all is said and done... I might have to write a book. Cuz it ain’t gonna all fit in this blog.