One of the questions I get asked the most behind the chair is:
“So… what’s the latest?”
Or…
“Come on, you’ve got to know all the tea.”
The funny thing is… I really don’t.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Working in a salon means I hear a lot of stories. People celebrate promotions, talk about vacations, vent about work, laugh about dating disasters, and sometimes cry through some really hard seasons of life. It’s one of the things I love most about my job—people trust me.
But here’s the thing: that trust isn’t mine to pass along.
Sure, gossip can be entertaining for about five minutes. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest rumor or someone else’s bad day. We’ve all been there. But I’ve learned that constantly focusing on other people’s lives doesn’t make ours any better.
Now, am I saying you can’t gossip in my salon?
Absolutely not.
Let’s be honest—we’re all human. Sometimes you need to vent. Sometimes you need to process something out loud. Sometimes you just have to tell somebody what happened.
I’m always happy to listen.
Just don’t expect me to have much to add.
If I tell you, “I haven’t heard that,” it’s probably because I really haven’t. And if I have heard it, there’s a pretty good chance I’m not interested in repeating it.
Honestly, I’d rather hear about your new puppy than why your neighbor is getting divorced.
I’d rather celebrate someone starting a new business than tear apart the one that didn’t work out.
I’d rather spend an hour making someone feel beautiful than spend five minutes making someone else look bad.
The salon chair should feel like a safe place. A place where you can vent without wondering if your story is making the rounds the next day. That’s something I’ve always tried to protect.
So if you come in fishing for the latest small-town drama, you’re probably going to be disappointed.
The truth is, I’ve got enough going on trying to run a salon, a boutique, keep up with my own life, and chase Dylan around. My brain is already full. I don’t have much room left to keep track of who said what about who.
And if you ask for my opinion? I’ll absolutely give it to you. Just know that you might not always like my answer.
I’m not going to tell you what you want to hear. I’m going to tell you what I honestly think is best for you—or sometimes what’s best for the person you’re talking about. Maybe that means giving you a different perspective. Maybe it means reminding you that there’s probably another side to the story. Maybe it means telling you to let it go.
Sometimes the best advice isn’t the easiest advice to hear.
Now, if you’re looking for the latest small-town gossip, I might not be your best source. You’d probably have better luck grabbing a cup of coffee somewhere. Around here, everyone knows that’s where plenty of stories get exchanged.
Just proceed with caution.
If you weren’t on everyone’s radar when you walked in… you just might be by the time you leave.
Small towns are funny like that.
But… if you want to know what shampoo I recommend, where to get the best margarita, what audiobook I’m obsessed with, or show me pictures of your dog for the hundredth time… I’m all in.
Life is a whole lot more fun when we’re cheering each other on instead of waiting for someone to stumble.
Because here’s the truth: kindness has a funny way of coming back around. So does gossip.
Let’s make sure we’re known for the first one.
— From The Chair
