Male clients

[emsint]

Hi everyone

I've been working from home & my husbands shift patterns have allowed me to take on male clients when he's home.
Now I have a large percentage of business from male clients.

The issue is... My husband may be getting a new job which means he will be working times that my regulars usually come in.

I don't wanna loose clients obviously but what can I do to ensure I feel safe on my own?

What do you do alone in the salon/ spa room or at home?

 

[Steph86]

Id probably feel ok with my regulars, id just maybe only take on new male clients when your husband is there.

Would it be really obvious to your clients your husband is out?

The fact they will have been to you before & seen your husband about they will probably be thinking he could be home at any given time.

Xx

 

[emsint]

Well actually I have had my husband home but most of them wouldn't have seen him as its in a different part of the house. They may have heard noises or something though.

My hubby suggested an app on my phone think it's panic button or something of the sort.

He also suggested a camera or dummy camera in the corner on the wall, but I'm unsure if massage/wax clients would be comfortable with this as I go out of the room for them to get dressed.

??? Not sure what I should do.

Mxx

 

[Cholo]

The likelihood of one of your regular clients changing their behaviour and becoming a 'risk' to you is very low.

If you feel that you need to put strategies in place, have a personal panic alarm at hand. If you feel necessary, have a 'buddy' so you have someone you phone at the beginning and end of each treatment. If they haven't heard from you by an agreed time, they'll phone and check on you etc.

If there is any 'risk' it would most likely be around new clients. In that case, perhaps only take referrals or just arrange to see people when your husband is at home.

Personally I don't think a camera in the room is appropriate, dummy or otherwise. I wouldn't want to think someone was filming me getting changed! 😱

 

[Calm]

The likelihood of one of your regular clients changing their behaviour and becoming a 'risk' to you is very low.

I disagree. When I was still seeing male clients I had some regulars change their behaviour. One asked if I offered hand relief a few weeks after his wife passed away, another purposely moved the towl away, whilst on his back, exposing his erection and giggling. Some will test the waters once they know you a bit better.

As for the camera idea, I personally would not feel comfortable with this.

My advice is, and you're probably not going to like it, is to not see any male clients (regulars or not) when your husband isn't around. Our safety is first and foremost.

There seems to be lots of "male client" threads atm.

 

[squidgernetball]

I would never see male clients at home unless my husband was around. In the salon we always ensure someone else is there at all times.

We have discussed what we would do if both in treatment and someone did something inappropriate. It was very simple. We'd shout really bloody loudly "YOU'RE BEHAVIOUR IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE. PAY YOUR BILL AND LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. " whilst walking out of the room. We have practised this.

We would say it so loud that everyone will hear what a dirty bastard he is and will hopefully see them leave.

Maybe we should have something up in reception along the lines of
All our staff expect to be treated with respect and maybe warning that any inappropriate comments or behaviour will be reported to the police a little like they have in hospitals.

I cannot believe that these men are actually getting away with this behaviour.

Good luck all x

Sent from my GT-I9505 using SalonGeek mobile app

 

[emsint]

Yes I've never had any inappropriate behaviour thank God. When I get enquiries I state that I don't do extras or happy endings & if they want that kind of service to look elsewhere!
Some of them make excuses & don't book & that's fine with me!

 

[funtimefranko]

Someone was hitting on me when i was doing their hair, that made me uncomfortable... dread to think how you lot feel

Sent from my SM-G900F using SalonGeek mobile app

 

[Calm]

Someone was hitting on me when i was doing their hair, that made me uncomfortable... dread to think how you lot feel

Sent from my SM-G900F using SalonGeek mobile app

I bet he didn't ask you, straight faced and serious, if you offer hand relief. :Scared:

 

[funtimefranko]

I bet he didn't ask you, straight faced and serious, if you offer hand relief. :Scared:

Lmao no... he "joked" about having an affair. You.win yours is worse haha

Sent from my SM-G900F using SalonGeek mobile app

 

[Kim Lawless]

I work alone down a secluded alley and it's pitch black in the winter but it doesn't bother me.

However, I totally get why you should be concerned so I would have a talk station radio on in the next room so it sounds as though your partner and a mate are in there chatting. With a new client or one you're a bit worried about, before you take them into your room, knock on the door of the next room (where you're pretending your partner or family are) and shout 'I'm going into treatment now'.

 

[ch-ela]

Have you thought about wearing a personal alarm? My partner bought one for me when he was concerned about me walking from the car into my flat late at night carrying quite a bit of money (I worked in catering, before anyone has any strange thoughts!)
It can be worn on the body, hooked to a belt or similar, and when you pull out the pin, it sets off a loud siren type noise. This would be enough to stop most people in their tracks. You could put up a notice in the salon too, just so people are aware of it and would think twice.

 

[FlawlessBeauty]

I've been considering whether or not to take male clients in my new job. I'm going to be working in a cabin alone. My bf will be asleep in the house because he works nights.

I know he's a little concerned and his mum is just around the corner so I could text her. In the end I think it might be more hassle than its worth so I might just stick to female clients xx

Sent from my SM-G900F using SalonGeek mobile app

 

[emsint]

I'm glad I'm getting a bit of mixed responses.

In a way I think if something was to happen it could happen anywhere to be honest.

I did think of leaving the telly on downstairs as its what they are used to seeing or hearing when they come in and my hubby is around. They never see him though anyway.

My business is doing quite well and I'm planning to train with Kim too as I've had a few requests for waxing.

This is the route I'm gearing towards as I'm expanding to other male grooming services too. In my area there is a loooot of competition and this sets me apart to be honest.

So there isn't a way to not do it, just need to find a way I'll feel safe!

Thank you all that have replied so far x

 

[TheDuchess]

We have practise sessions on how to deal with inappropriate behaviour as well. We practise handling inappropriate conversations and clients who have misunderstood the nature of the treatment that they have booked for. Role playing is very useful. Without it we just freeze in a situation.

Being safe is much more about nipping problems very firmly in the bud and closing off potential vulnerable areas rather than hitting a panic button. I've worked in different businesses where female staff have been unable to reach their panic buttons because their hands were held and they've had to talk their way out of trouble instead.

You need to be very clear about protocol. Don't share your personal life with male clients - do not discuss boyfriends/relationships or get involved in your male clients relationship issues. Use towels professionally and position your clients hands so they can't creep into their lap.

Run through a few "what if" scenarios. What options will you have in situation A or B? Usually the best advice is to withdraw having made your position plain. "I'm going to leave the room. You have 5 mins to dress, pay and leave before I call the police".

Maybe you could consider limiting your days and hours for male clients so that you have back to back bookings?

Another option is a virtual receptionist. You could make a point of phoning your "receptionist" and announcing that client x is here for his appointment. You can refer to having to check in at certain times.

I think that a notice that "requests for happy endings will result in the instant termination of your treatment and a request for payment in full" might be worth displaying if only as a discussion point.

 

[kamikate]

I wish they covered this at beauty school! I agree with Calm, I've had so far 3 male clients who were regulars, seemed to be really nice and friendly. And then they changed ...
1 of them, 3 years after I refused to see him still sends me texts asking for massage.

 

[emsint]

I wish they covered this at beauty school! I agree with Calm, I've had so far 3 male clients who were regulars, seemed to be really nice and friendly. And then they changed ...
1 of them, 3 years after I refused to see him still sends me texts asking for massage.

Can I ask how they changed?

 

[byKaty]

Oooh this happened to my friend, she was working in a big upmarket spa in london years ago. They would get alot of rich (millionaires/sheikhs) business men. One of them propositioned her during his treatment. She excused herself and left the room and returned with the managers who escorted him out. That was how they were trained to deal with it, probably ok for those bigger salons with more staff.

 

[fozzyo]

I have a Samsung Galaxy 4 mini phone for work. It has a 'declare emergency' feature. I hold down two buttons and it will automatically take a picture with both the front and rear camera and send them in a text message to the phones that I nominate along with a message I have written and my location.

A great way of being able to capture the image of someone if needed and an easy way of alerting people (neighbours say) that you need someone to come round.

I love Kim's idea of the radio in the next room.

The camera would be a huge no ... They may actually think you are being the dodgy one filming them getting undressed etc.

I work for myself from home and see lots of male and female clients, it is something only you can decide on. If you aren't comfortable then you need to take the decision to stop seeing them. There are pros (money) and cons (possibility of propositions) to seeing guys.

One thing you could do is ask clients to pay for their treatment or a £10 deposit on a debit / credit card at time of booking. That way you and the client knows there is a definite traceable record of who your clients are.

Mat