Vote for old Salon Geek with a heart

[frankie91]

I have been using salon geek for about a year or more and have found it such a great place to come onto if i am having a moment of insanity and need reassuring with things. Fair enough i may have asked a few silly questions in my dippy moments, but even on my app i make sure i use the search tool, in my opinion, people tell porkies when they say nothing comes up on the app search! UTTER RUBBISH! People are way too impatient and want answers now now now, instead of making a cuppa, using the search, and finding a hidden treasure of a post and finding out so much more, reading old threads!
Recently there has been way too much gobbledygook on here and most nothing to do with the industry. And so many questions that have been asked millions of times! Keep a professional head on and use the search facility! Sorry, rant over x x

Sent from my GT-I5800 using SalonGeek

 

[happyfeet]

Ive no idea what old geek was like, im a newbie been actively participating since jan 2011.

I do like how this geek is, but then ive known no different.

Chit chat to me is just that non related industry chit chat though i do remember the voice inside comments, which equally upset people sometimes. I dont have interest in all the threads posted but different strokes for different folks i say. I dont read if it doesnt interest. I love the blogs, sure i probably bore some people and i may not be everyones cup of tea, but ive also made some nice geeky friends this way. I can make it a private blog or open to everyone who has registered unlike chit chat so i feel much for comfortable airing my dirty linen there

The pro boards go through peaks and troughs such is the nature of these types of forums. I love tptw, yes some escalate unnecessarily but i love the fact that sometimes i end up with a completely different opinion to what i started with. In short i love to challenge my own opinions.

Yes there are repetitive posts and there are people not always helping themselves by not following procedures, but i think they are guided by other geeks. Youre always going to get those that no matter how you try to help they wont take the advice.... thats life. All you can do is your best.

The posts that actually concern me the most, that actually do nothing for public perception, are the my client did this grrrrrrr. Its highly unprofessional, i believe, to out and out moan about a client. Yes by all means ask how to deal with a situation but we need to remember its a public searchable forum and you dont need to be registered to read the boards. The person creating the thread is not only responsible, i actually think some of the responses given can put us in a bad light.
I can think of one thread recently where a client found out she was being discussed and commented on the thread which proves clients can read your posts so we have a responsibility to post wisely. Id rather see ten what i ate for tea over one thread that could potentially harm your business, but thats just me

On the whole i love geek just the way it is i think we all have a responsibility to make geek what it is.
If we dont like it how it is we need to change it up. Post interesting threads and guide the forum. I personally read alot of threads in all the forums, i read about nail treatments i dont offer and whilst i have no clue what some of the hair threads are even talking about i love to read the technical jargon.

Again ive no idea if ive answered the thread there but appreciate the chance to discuss it.

Hugs x x x

 

[SammiC]

I too am relatively new to SG so can't comment on the evolution of the threads etc. I have found this site to be such a wealth of information and feel ever so greatful that so many professionals give their time of day to advise and share their knowledge.

I lurked for a while in order to get a feel of how the site runs, I read the rules and regs and hope that I abide by them. I do searches always, however find that either I can't get exactly what I'm looking for or find posts that are dated a few years back thereby I wonder if the answers are still relevent or if they have been superseeded by the ever changing Industry so I go ahead and post my thread.

I'm guilty of ocassionally posting something that I feel may seem a silly question to a lot of people but for me, like most, at the time it's relevent and earnest in its being posted. We are all human and no matter how long we have been in the industry there are times when we need professional support or that ocassionally we can't see the forest through the trees and need guidence.

That being said i am beginning to feel and agree that there are a lot of repeat postings/questions (often within the same day/week) whereby people are not bothering to do their own research and are being lazy. There is a lot of, dare I say, irrelevant crap to wade through at times especially lately. I do ignore that which is not relevent to me personally but it's tiresome. I offer advise when I can so I can give back and help where i can but often things are said before me or said in a better way so if that's the case I don't post.

There are a lot of funny and entertaining comments which often go to alleviating an otherwise mundane or awkward topic/thread and that's fine by me but ocassionally these take over from the thread topic and it's then difficult to summise if the question has been answered or not. I do love to read different opinions which I believe keeps this fresh even if the subject matter is not so relevent to me.

Moderators, you do an amazing job in keeping this site fresh and professional. I thank you very much and take my hat off to you all for your time. Not sure of how SG will continue from here, you can't please everyone, but for me I respect and love this site and hope that it continues to provide the support and professionalism it is so well known by. This thread alone, I would think, should highlight, to most, the importance of which area is best suited for their subject matter and hopefully in turn begin to reduce the amount of irrelevant or off topic clutter.

As per the above I have no idea if I've answered the thread but also appreciate the chance to be involved in the discussion x

 

[welshrarebit]

Hi
I've been away from this site for a couple of years, I stopped doing nails completely, now I've started doing nails again and so have come back here.
Yes there are lots and lots of posts about the same topic (gel polishes) I don't know about the other forums (chit chat etc) as I skip past them. Whether on a mobile phone or computer the title of a thread is shown and the first line or two of that particular post. If it doesn't interest me, I skip it. Everyone is able to do that. So if you don't want to know what's on the menu for tea, which are best nappies to buy etc, why don't you just skip past it. I thought Chit chat is all about general chatter, sometimes a bit of nonsense etc.
As for the professional forums, yes there are a lot of 'messers' on there. People who dabble in nails. That's because (imo) there are so many short courses out there, they take peoples money and do not teach accordingly, so when someone has 'qualified' they really still don't know and come here to ask. The industry as a whole need to tighten up around the education area.

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using SalonGeek

 

[LondonRee]

Over the years I have used many a forum, and I think they are what people make of them. You can't really police or enforce any rules as such, they always grow, adapt, and change. What I've also found is that people tend to outgrow a forum - the same questions will be repeated over and over, or the overall tone will change and they wont like it.

As a newbie to this forum, i have never ventured into chitchat, but I would expect that to be a safe place for users to chat about what they had for dinner. I wouldnt expect judgements to be made on the topics in there - surely that is what a chitchat area is for. I haven't noticed off topic discussions in the biz and hair sections.

 

[Janie]

I've only been a member since Feb 2011, i love salon geek and have learnt and am still learning so much on here, there was at the time a number of exceptionally skilled and experienced hair geeks whose names popped up regularly on the hair board and whose experience and knowledge i really valued and i looked forward to reading their posts, however...........

Even in that short space of time i have noticed a big difference in the hair forum.That may be due to the highs and lows of forums in general as happy feet has mentioned above, but there are a lot less practical / technical posts recently and we have definitely lost those geeks i mentioned earlier you just don't see those names appearing anymore and i'm guessing the posts etc is the reason why


Its still an amazing forum though and one i wouldn't be with out!

 

[geeg]

Well I certainly agree with the comments about it being OUR responsibility to make salon geek how we want it, but to do that, then those who moan about threads being unteresting should stop just reading or stop moaning about boring topics, and post some thought provoking threads themselves! As happy feet says, guide the forums by how we post.

As for courses and so-called education ... There is quality in all things in life and maybe it's just me, but I find out the quality of something FIRST before I purchase it! Yes many are hoodwinked by these nasty cheap courses, many given by people who are not qualified to teach at all, but really, people should be checking.

I actually blame this accreditation word because it means actually nothing at all as it seems anyone can get it, and people are being led to believe that it signifies some sort of standard or quality of excellence and it absolutely does not.

I also hate the word 'qualified' because it also means nothing. Just what exactly are people qualified to do after a one day course or a four day course etc? Some are not even qualified to practice let alone do anything. Then (and only if they want to) a person can take this flimsy 'qualification' and buy insurance! Because really it is possible to get insurance for absolutely anything these days.

What to do? I don't think anyone will do anything to change it. Insurance companies are doing great and all the stupid courses are attracting people to them because they think they see easy money. Well the insurance people and the cheap nasty training people Are the ones making the easy money, not the people who are unwisely choosing to use their services.

Unfortunately we here on salon geek are seeing first hand the 'quality' of education being provided when we see the topics posted. I'm not talking about what some have mentioned as silly questions ... I dont mind any questions ... It would be nice to get some!! But when none of the questions are about anything business enhancing but only about Where can I buy this or that the cheapest, or how do I attach a Swarovski crystal, or which colours should I choose? What should I name my business etc It really is disheartening. If a person cannot make those kinds of simple decisions themselves, how in the world are they going to run a business? Answer is, they are not ... They will be stuck in someone's kitchen doing whatever it is they do.

 

[Lovebeauty14]

Sorry, I know this has been brought up before, and is going slightly off topic, but is there no way SG can have the professional forum which is private to the public and requires a certificate to authenticate your membership? And for those who are wanting to enter either of the industries, having a section for them to help and support them through choosing courses and training that doesn't require access to the professional threads?

And with the 'chit chat', it's going to be wayyyyy to difficult to regulate, as after all, what IS classed as chit chat? As long as it's not offending anyone, chit chat could really be anything. So maybe have a separate section all together for that, that you have to access differently so it doesn't automatically come up when you click on 'Last 24 hours'.? That way, those who what a bit of lighthearted chatter can keep it away from those Geeks who want it truly professional?

I tell you what though, I don't envy the MOD's and the guys in charge of the site, trying to keep everyone happy must be ridiculously hard!

 

[Only-me]

Well I certainly agree with the comments about it being OUR responsibility to make salon geek how we want it, but to do that, then those who moan about threads being unteresting should stop just reading or stop moaning about boring topics, and post some thought provoking threads themselves! As happy feet says, guide the forums by how we post.

As for courses and so-called education ... There is quality in all things in life and maybe it's just me, but I find out the quality of something FIRST before I purchase it! Yes many are hoodwinked by these nasty cheap courses, many given by people who are not qualified to teach at all, but really, they should be checking.

I actually blame this accreditation word because it means actually nothing at all as it seems anyone can get it, and people are being led to believe that it signifies some sort of standard or quality of excellence and it absolutely does not.

I also hate the word 'qualified' because it also means nothing. Just what exactly are people qualified to do after a one day course or a four day course etc? Some are not even qualified to practice let alone do anything. Then (and only if they want to) a person can take this flimsy 'qualification' and buy insurance! Because really it is possible to get insurance for absolutely anything these days.

What to do? I don't think anyone will do anything to change it. Insurance companies are doing great and all the stupid courses are attracting people to them because they think they see easy money. Well the insurance people and the cheap nasty training people Are the ones making the easy money, not the people who are unwisely choosing to use their services.

For this industry it's a shame the don't have a minimum time for training... A doctor or mechanic can't do fast track course and voila experienced !!
I am one of those that's training along side a job.... Why? Because I've given myself 5 yrs to get to a professional level for the career change.
If anyone is misguided by short courses as long as they realise and correct their future training instead of going along with their 'qualification' and thinking that's it!
The wheel will come off one day! For the training centres, then what..

 

[ProperPrincess]

For this industry it's a shame the don't have a minimum time for training... A doctor or mechanic can't do fast track course and voila experienced !!
I am one of those that's training along side a job.... Why? Because I've given myself 5 yrs to get to a professional level for the career change.
If anyone is misguided by short courses as long as they realise and correct their future training instead of going along with their 'qualification' and thinking that's it!
The wheel will come off one day! For the training centres, then what..

Can we compare a career in nails or beauty with that of a doctor? I say no. But your right that a day is entirely insufficient x

 

[geeg]

Can we compare a career in nails or beauty with that of a doctor? I say no. But your right that a day is entirely insufficient x

I think we can in a few senses. We are working on people's bodies and we have an obligation to do so while regarding the health of the person's natural nails. We should have a vocational attitude towards our clients and what we do which is in itself a profession ... Those of us who are serious are specialists and work with care and attention Education should be permanently ongoing and a building experience; it never ends.

 

[Only-me]

Can we compare a career in nails or beauty with that of a doctor? I say no. But your right that a day is entirely insufficient x

Of course not..as if? Figure of speech obviously..
Just trying to suggest this industry is a skill to learn over a period of time not overnight Maybe I should've chosen a carpenter or flower arranging to make my point! lol x

 

[ProperPrincess]

I think we can in a few senses. We are working on people's bodies and we have an obligation to do so while regarding the health of the person's natural nails. We should have a vocational attitude towards our clients and what we do which is in itself a profession ... Those of us who are serious are specialists and work with care and attention Education should be permanently ongoing and a building experienc; it never ends.

What I meant was a doctor should know about every aspect and part of the body and diagnose and treat each part. And that takes a lot longer than learning everything there is to know about one part of the body or a few. I didn't mean it in a disrespectful sense or belittling. Doctors are continually learning and training throughout their career and I think in any trade continual training is a must. I'd put my hands in yours and perhaps trust you more than my doctor. Actually your an exception because I would not trust a beauticians or nail techs diagnosis over a doctor in general. Because its fact that their training is far more indepth and regulated. So using you as an example isn't actually doing me any favours here. I wouldn't dream of diagnosing or treating anyone in most cases. If its medical I send them to a doctor. I care for my clients and do my best by them but I'm not qualified to treat them. So I only advise to seek medical attention. I don't think any of us will know everything. Doctor or beautician or nail tech. I was just stating that rightly or wrongly their education is actually far more complicated and superior to that of a nail tech or beautician x

 

[ProperPrincess]

Of course not..as if? Figure of speech obviously..
Just trying to suggest this industry is a skill to learn over a period of time not overnight Maybe I should've chosen a carpenter or flower arranging to make my point! lol x

Lol I bet carpenters and florists learn something new everyday too

 

[bloomingnails]

I think Geeg has hit the nail on the head. I joined back in 2005 when it was still just the Nail Geek and its got bigger and better in so many ways. Its also a lot different. I think the post concerning 'what other jobs do you do' speaks volumes!

I am not knocking the ones that do it as a second job etc, we all have to start somewhere. BUT like or not there is a difference between being in this industry full time and doing it to make some extra cash.

 

[geeg]

Here is a definition I like: For the difference between a trade and a profession.

A trade is an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill.

A profession is vocational, a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation.

I think the bold type distinguishes between the two and is where the difference lies.

Every job whether it is in a trade or in a profession requires academic preparation and skill, the difference is in how much IMO. This is why I refer to some as non-professionals because they have not had the required fundamental knowledge or academic preparation to even be involved in the business of working on people's nails.

 

[brittone05]

I like SG the way it is - I generally tend to read more than I participate though. Newer members i find use chit chat more often to try to build up friendships with other members, to feel part of what they perceive to be "groups" within the forum.

I don't really bother so much with chit chat mainly because it isn't why I joined here. I joined to aid with the training, to get advice, to learn from people more experienced.

Sadly, the comings and goings of the forum aren't always nice but such is life - people will always have opinions that differ, people will always g through spurts of what they like, who they like etc.

I do wish that there were more thought provoking threads that I could sink my teeth into though - I just think at times people worry about posting for fear of being ridiculed or talked about. None of us like the thought of being a laughing stock but, as a professional forum, we should each be able to discuss our working careers freely without concern for what others think xx

 

[linzi]

What I meant was a doctor should know about every aspect and part of the body and diagnose and treat each part. And that takes a lot longer than learning everything there is to know about one part of the body or a few. I didn't mean it in a disrespectful sense or belittling. Doctors are continually learning and training throughout their career and I think in any trade continual training is a must. I'd put my hands in yours and perhaps trust you more than my doctor. Actually your an exception because I would not trust a beauticians or nail techs diagnosis over a doctor in general. Because its fact that their training is far more indepth and regulated. So using you as an example isn't actually doing me any favours here. I wouldn't dream of diagnosing or treating anyone in most cases. If its medical I send them to a doctor. I care for my clients and do my best by them but I'm not qualified to treat them. So I only advise to seek medical attention. I don't think any of us will know everything. Doctor or beautician or nail tech. I was just stating that rightly or wrongly their education is actually far more complicated and superior to that of a nail tech or beautician x

I'm not sure the point was that beauty therapists/nail technicians are more 'important' than doctors. And I don't think that anyone has mentioned diagnosing any medical conditions But our skills are equally as valid - else why would we bother training at all? There would be no point.

Fact is, in untrained (or lazy) hands, some of our treatments can cause problems - tinting, for example, on someone with an allergy, too-hot wax, ripping skin, and I'm sure incorrectly applied extensions also bring their own host of problems - and it is up to us as professionals to train and be able to prevent these problems from occurring.



Another thing I was thinking about earlier is that I personally (so I'm sure some, if not most, of you have too) have faced quite a prejudices concerning 'oh but you're only a BT/Nail Tech, you must be a bit dim'. Well excuse me, no I'm not. It's seen as an 'easy' industry, something you do if you 'weren't clever enough to do something worthwhile'; and this is what we should all be conscious of working to disprove, not reinforce.

 

[celtica]

For this industry it's a shame the don't have a minimum time for training... A doctor or mechanic can't do fast track course and voila experienced !!
I am one of those that's training along side a job.... Why? Because I've given myself 5 yrs to get to a professional level for the career change.
If anyone is misguided by short courses as long as they realise and correct their future training instead of going along with their 'qualification' and thinking that's it!
The wheel will come off one day! For the training centres, then what..

Back in the day when I did my training I had to do three years apprenticeship and two years improving before I could call my self a stylist. I had just missed having to be indentured to my employer and my parents paying for the privilege of me being trained and tied to the same employer for that time. Is that a better way? I don't know but it sorted the serious from the messers.

Oh and I don't know how the old SG was so cant compare but I do look through the posts and if its nonsense I read no further. Unless its super stupid then curiosity gets the better of me and I have to see what response they get.

 

[ProperPrincess]

I'm not sure the point was that beauty therapists/nail technicians are more 'important' than doctors. And I don't think that anyone has mentioned diagnosing any medical conditions But our skills are equally as valid - else why would we bother training at all? There would be no point.

Fact is, in untrained (or lazy) hands, some of our treatments can cause problems - tinting, for example, on someone with an allergy, too-hot wax, ripping skin, and I'm sure incorrectly applied extensions also bring their own host of problems - and it is up to us as professionals to train and be able to prevent these problems from occurring.



Another thing I was thinking about earlier is that I personally (so I'm sure some, if not most, of you have too) have faced quite a prejudices concerning 'oh but you're only a BT/Nail Tech, you must be a bit dim'. Well excuse me, no I'm not. It's seen as an 'easy' industry, something you do if you 'weren't clever enough to do something worthwhile'; and this is what we should all be conscious of working to disprove, not reinforce.

I didn't say they were more important at all. I said I don't think the training could be compared. In some aspects as Geeg said yesit can. But, in my opinion as a whole they are entirely different.

Nor did I say our skills werent valid but I dont think they are equally valid no. But that's my opinion.

Do you think I'm reinforcing this attitude? I'm passionate about what I do. I love it. But I'm not changing lives to the extent doctors do and I think if I thought that I'd have to question myself. That's my opinion. Sorry if anyone is offended by it. I respect all of you, especially those than are continually learning, I never fail to be impressed on here.

Whilst I didn't say our training isn't as important as a doctor I do believe it. To me my training is as important. But I'm under no illusion that it is to anyone else.