What techniques can techs use to keep salon conversations professional?

 It is natural and healthy to discuss family, weekend activities, sports, health concerns, etc., with clients. These personal conversations create a bond of loyalty that strengthens mutual trust. However your client should be doing more of the sharing than you do. It is their time; they are paying to be listened to. The best way to deflect personal questions you don’t want to answer without being rude is to keep things light. Try making a joke, then immediately turn the conversation back to the client. A joke will make it less strange that you didn’t answer the client’s question and just changed the subject. Fortunately, people also love talking about themselves so unless they’re hellbent on getting the details, a few breezy jokes and conversational turns should do the trick just fine. — Ana Loiselle is a consultant for Milady (www.milady.cengage.com).