‘It’s a big no-no:’ Etiquette expert slams common nail salon practice

Picture this: you’re sitting there getting a manicure, with a chatty Kathy on your left and a child blasting Bluey from an iPad to your right.

Suddenly, the nail salon goes from a self-love sanctuary to an overstimulating nightmare – so, what are you supposed to do?

According to Aussie etiquette expert Zarife Hardy, there are certain unspoken nail salon ‘rules’ not everyone is clued in on. Here’s her verdict.

The etiquette of salon chat

“If you don’t want to talk to someone [in the nail salon], I would firstly recommend you give short answers, maybe one or two words, and don’t ask questions back,” Hardy told nine.com.au.

“If someone keeps going, there’s nothing wrong with saying, ‘I’ve just got to check some emails’. You can give that polite excuse.”

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While Hardy said there’s “nothing wrong” with someone wanting to make conversation at the nail salon, they also need to “read the audience.”

“If you ask them a question because you would like to engage in conversation, and they give you a short answer or they look at their phone, they probably don’t want to talk.”

The headphones dilemma

Hardy said it’s OK to wear headphones or earbuds to the nail salon as a signal to other customers that you don’t want to be bothered.

“I think headphones are a directly polite way to show, ‘Hey, I’m in my zone.’”

She added it’s a good idea to leave one headphone off in case the person doing your nails needs to communicate with you.

The art of bringing children

When it comes to noisy children in the nail salon, Hardy said you’re not the villain for wanting some peace and quiet.

Etiquette-wise, she said it’s totally fine to bring a child with you – given they’re well-behaved.

But when it comes to slapping a tablet in their hand, she said headphones are an absolute must.

“Sounds that come off any device are a great big no-no in any environment; it’s just rude.”

“So as long as your children are capable of sitting still [it’s okay to bring them] and if they’re going to be on an iPad, they must have earphones on.”  

If you do feel a child is being overly disruptive, Hardy says you can very politely ask their parent to try to get them under control, or to put on headphones.

However, she added it’s important to never ask in a rude or aggressive way.

Meanwhile, parents of teenage daughters face a different issue: is it OK to leave your child at the nail salon while you run to the shops?

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Hardy said you should always check with the salon before leaving your child in the salon unattended.

“Different salons have different rules. The first thing I would do is check with them that it’s OK,” she said.

“Prior to that, make sure your child is confident to stay there for 30 minutes or so whilst you wander off. If they’re not, then you must stay with them.”

“You can sit at the front door. You don’t have to sit beside them. It’s really about the child.

“I would never leave a child probably under the age of 15 sitting somewhere like that.”

The biggest no-no

Hardy stressed the most important etiquette when it comes to nail appointments is arriving on time.

“Don’t be late, respect people’s time, be on time for your appointment.”