"Come Let Me Fix your Hair"

I’m a cater waiter for a company that deals with high profile clients - Cartier, Ralph, Fenty, etc. there was a big event in which we had hair and make-up done. Yes, the cater waiters. The CATER WAITERS got HAIR AND MAKE-UP done for the event. The people serving the food and drinks were tended to by a room full of HIRED stylists. Just want to make that clear.

Anyway, after we were finished with breakfast they told us to get our hair done. I walked into the room full of stylists and there were 3 waiting patiently at the door - A white woman, an asian man, and an asian woman. They all looked at each other nervously and the white woman blurted out “You guys were here first so one of you can take him” (She’s so noble.) The asian woman, defeated, walked me over to her station. She looked back at me with a daunted look. I then said “hi”. She took a breath and said “You don’t need much done.” I said “okay”.

I sat in the chair and watched as her hand apprehensively chose the brush (there were various combs and brushes). I started to feel bad - she doesn’t know what she’s doing. She brushed the sides, then took some type of gel I had never seen before and pulled my hair back. I don’t know if it’s because it felt good or because I thought “she might be doing a good job” but I decided to stop worrying and just trust her - she’s a professional, she knows what she’s doing. Then she started to violently push and pat my hair down. She did not know what she was doing.

She tapped me and said “okay, I think you’re all good.” Unfortunately, I looked in the mirror and ruined my morning. My hair looked sticky and nappy. It looked fucking horrible. I felt bad for myself and for some reason - her. My bag was locked in a room so I couldn’t get my pik and comb out the disrespect. I’m sure she got over it as soon as I left but this was on my head so it bothered me.

Another hair stylist (black) came over and said “Come let me fix your hair” I basically threw the chair I was sitting in and ran over to his station. He went into his bag and pulled out a pik. I said “thank you, someone tried, but -” he cut me off and said “you’ve been touched already? You have NOT been touched” I said “yeah…” He rubbed out the gel, combed it out, and put in a side part - I kind of looked like a house slave but it looked clean so…I dig it, I guess.

Not sure what needs to be changed - the curriculum or their motivation - but all hair stylists should know how to do all kinds of hair. He learned. So can everyone else. But in the meantime - black hair will be our own responsibility for awhile - no matter what the occasion, set, or event - be prepared.