TPTW? I'm a therapist and I'm thick

[Pinkbunny28]

Here's my answer to that:

Well yeah I got into uni to do something else but decided earning money from something I love rather than spending 3 years in a lecture hall being moaned at and drinking myself silly every night was a bit better. Then I found my uni course I'm on now to give me a bit more real life knowledge on developing my business. FYI I made a profit in my first year.

I've never been asked this question actually. I suppose they speak to me and realise I'm not retarded and unless they are themselves try better not ask me...x

 

[Lovebeauty14]

It makes me laugh when people assume people in the beauty industry are thick.

Do they have any idea the science behind nails, skin, beauty, hair, etc?

Let them get on with it is my opinion.

Let them get on with their unsatisfying jobs, I'll happily enjoy owning my own business, choosing my own hours, earning my own money and thoroughly enjoying the job I do. Hey, I may be vain to think this, but I thoroughly enjoy making people look beautiful too. It's so rewarding.

So let them get on with it. If they think I'm thick then so be it. It's our little secret that I got all A's and B's in my GCSE's, was the best female at maths in my year, and went on to do higher education before joining the Navy.

I CHOSE this career leaving a well paid job to do it. I wasn't stuck with it because I was too thick to do anything else! So crack on, haters! :wink2:

 

[Alex-Lydia]

I always tell my trainee's dealing with the public is like being on stage, you need to think about the image you give off to your clients, because you may not realise what you are projecting.

I think my clients come to me, firstly, because they get great treatments and service, but also because they can talk to me about their lives, that might be family, social, or work, I listen, I am honest and open but professional and I feel as much as I listen to them, they also listen to me - there is a mutual respect.

I will not let anyone talk down to me, I have a life outside of work - I love music and the arts, and I have stuff to say if asked 'what have you been up to?'

Also once you have clients long term they see you are skilled, continually training and able to run a business long term they realise you are not at all 'thick'.

Lets be honest anyone who can stay in business in the present economic climate is not 'thick'. x

 

[ProperPrincess]

You know what I've noticed... We are all or most of us are trying to assure either our peers or ourselves that we are not thick when really don't actually have too. But yet we do it? Mmmm interesting x

 

[mini4mum]

Great thread!!

When I was at school during the '80's (yes I am old), we went to see our careers advisor to "find out what we want to be when we're older". Those that were academic were advised to go on to further education, A levels etc. Those of us that weren't academic, we were told to become a Beauty therapist, Hairdresser or Secretary!! I wanted to work for BA so took the latter. I re-studied in my 30's to become a BT. I am not thick by any means, I don't have A levels or a degree, (I do have O levels) but I have excellent customer service, I am passionate about the vocation I have chosen and more importantly, I have common sense!! How many clients/public, have continual training/education to better their skills? I rest my case

What really annoys me is the likes of Amy Child's dimwitted approach on programmes like Towie, really do give US therapist/Techs such a bad name & make us look ignorant. Well, WE ARE NOT! and another thing, please when we are on a forum can 'we' NOT use text language as this really doesn't help our cause!!

 

[Vetty]

So, taking it a step further if you are actually confronted with "Oh, couldn't you pass your exams at school then?" - I'm quoting what some geeks have actually had said to them- do you ignore it, or have a polite but pointed reply?

When I've stopped laughing (actually laughing out loud) I give them a potted history of what I have done/achieved before I set up my nail business...... I tend to get it as back-handed compliments really - statements like 'aren't you too clever to just do nails for a job?' and 'don't you miss the challenge of your previous job?' (answers, no and no)!!

People do have preconceptions, and being totally honest I used to as well. Before I became involved in the nail industry I assumed that hairdressing and beauty therapy were less academic than other careers paths :o, but I never said it out loud to anyone!

I do feel that at my age (old) and with my life-experience I don't need to justify myself to anyone, but if people are interested enough to ask I have plenty of life-experience to bore them with!!!

 

[ReVivebeauty]

when I left school in the mid 70's, there was a stigma attached to Beauty Therapy, all who entered into the profession were generally deemed to be "thick".....and I hold my hands up and accept that I was of that opinion too! So, fast forward 30 odd years and after having a career within the legal profession and being at home with my 3 children I decided it was time to return to work but this time to something completely different. Started studying ITEC Beauty Specialist,ITEC A & P and ITEC Holistic Massage. Thinking back to when I was younger I assumed my new studies were going to be a push over.........well maybe I was out of study practice..........but I was 'shocked' at the depth of study required. So, no I am not 'thick' and neither are those therapists who are taking their profession seriously. To be the best you can be you need to know your stuff -Science, Anatomy & Physiology, product knowledge etc. etc. In my previous career I mixed with many many people who were deemed to be highly intelligent/academics and to be honest the majority of them wouldn't recognise good old fashioned common sense if they fell over it. So, to anyone who thinks that I am 'thick' based purely upon my career choice, frankly I don't give a damn.......let them just keep crossing my palm with silver when they pay me for my time and expertise.

 

[bebedazzled*]

I don't have to relay off my gcses, a levels and degree but that's exactly how I used to feel. But now...

I just don't care. My clients know I'm not thick. And anyone that thinks I'm thick is not really my concern anymore. They are not worth my time or energy. Worrying if someone thinks Im thick, fat, gobby... I just don't care. I'm clever, curvy and outspoken!

My nan used to say she chose hairdressing because she was thick but realised she wasn't that thick because colouring is not easy!

Sometimes it is hard for people to understand that it's possible to be blonde, tanned and sticking on eyelashes on people but still be of high intelligence.

I am dizzy but I'm not dumb... There's a huge difference.

I don't think it's just this industry.

All accountants are boring?? Probably not.

Are all strippers tarts? Not likely

If your my friend, family or client you know I'm not thick. If your none of them... I don't actually care what you think. I work when I want, how I want, with who I want doing what I love.. That's pretty damn clever. Xxx

Well said, I am just starting on this path, but am all ready to set anyone with such views straight!

Sent from my GT-I9000 using SalonGeek

 

[nicole333]

This may shock some of you, but I have never heard of anyone in beauty being referred to as thick, apart from on this forum.

I don't judge others on what they do, so held no opinion on beauty therapists prior to getting interested in nails. It never once crossed my mind. It's obvious some of you experience this though.

I am uni educated and hold a senior position in my job, which calls for me being in charge 9 times out of 10, at work. Does that mean I am not allowed to be interested in wanting to make people have nice nails?

Judgements, don't you just love 'em!

 

[ballyboo]

I don't care what people think anymore, if someone asks my background i will tell them and most people are surprised - but i love my job and there is nothing better than working for yourself in my opinion.

 

[happyfeet]

Great thread lovey!

Well ok now ive been a travel agent, a secretary, childcare assistant and now a nail stylist. Yes some people perceive all these positions to be a bit girly and dim. But do people and have people ever thought that? No, because i dont give them the chance too

Yeah i can be ditzy much to my friends and families amusement but when it comes to my work my head is screwed on and i hit people with my smarts

Love n hugs x x x

 

[happyfeet]

That said sometimes people make their own assumptions, i kid you not i was having a fag outside the head office of harvey nicks where i worked in payroll which was just a long from harrods and often when standing there people would ask where Harrods was. This one day a man timidly walked up and expecting him to ask this same question i got quite a surprise and shock when he enquired how much i charged!!! He got suitably told to do one as you can imagine.

I was 21 at the time and relayed the story to my dear old nan god bless her. A no nonsense woman that she was she replied well laura it will be your blonde hair and your faux fur collared coat! Thanks nan! I was wearing a bloody trouser suit at the time!!

 

[jujojones]

Hi my names Julie I'm a therapist and I'm thick!! I'm that thick I had to learn a 'trade'. This trade has made me turn up to a job I love, can be taken anywhere in the world, allows me to open my own buiness, gives me job satisfaction and can potentially earn me lots of cash!! Plus I get the perk of not having to pay for weekly facials and massage !! Errrm actually I'm not so thick after all!! Lol!!!

I love the it when a get a new massage client in, and they don't want a consultation 'as massage is just a bit of pampering' and I give them a little a & p lesson to help them understand !! You know there thinking wow didn't think that dizzy blonde knew how to spell her name let alone discuss the para & sympathetic nervous system!! Lol!!

I really am not bothered if clients think I'm thick or have a ' dead end' job.... Remember.... to judge is a relection of yourself not those you are judging!!

 

[Gemster]

I think we all come across stereotypes like this at some point in our lives; I've yet to come across a client who's voiced it if this is their opinion but my other job is in a hugely male dominated environment and as the youngest member of staff and the only female I'm always assumed to be the receptionist. In fact it is a running joke between the boys to introduce me to people as their PA. I laugh along and answer the phones and make the coffee...then hand over my business card that shows I'm in charge. I'm a big fan of the phrase 'Be quiet, be heard'

 

[Lynne Baker]

I think a lot of it is down to the image you project to your clients, and to the world at large.
Nobody has ever accused me of being dim either, and I'm certain sure that it's down to my manner, my demeanour, my use of language, the decor in my salon and just the whole way I do business.
Some of you will remember that I said I wouldn't go to the beauty shows again because of the hordes of ditzy young girls with bad fake tan, bad hair extensions and porn queen nails, and those bloody awful pull along trolleys that render one's feet black and blue.
If this is what the general public sees of our young therapists is it any wonder that the industry has a poor reputation.

I think we need to look to ourselves, to our colleges, and yes, even to fora like this.
How many times have we had to point out to people that this is a public forum and posting inane, defamatory, and plain nasty contents will result in a continued poor opinion of us.

That said I can be as dim as a Toc H lamp at times. I went out in a hurry one day and thoughtfully posted the house keys through the letterbox so my husband would be able to get in...

 

[angelina221]

I earn more in a day than most of my friends earn in a week.
Nah I ain't stupid!!

 

[jacqueline]

This has been discussed many time throughout the years on here and yes you probably do get the odd 'dumb" person in the industry but hey every industry has it, just look at some of our politicians, but I do know a lot of girls/woman/guys who gave up high flying careers or well paid jobs to come into the field.

I am a whizz'kid' in IT and web development, sysadmin, and network security amongst other things and people were flabbergasted that I didn't follow that route but after 20 odd years I was bored.

I don't give anyone a chance to dumb me down, I carry myself well, wear a uniform and am knowledgeable about my treatments etc.. I have a professional environment, scrupulosity clean and well decorated so again this sets a scene.

To reinforce my professionalism, I have all my diplomas/degrees/qualifications in big gold ornate frames plastered on a wall with my required by law licences etc..

Owning your own business helps dispel the myth that you are stupid too, people just presume you are switched on, so no one has ever called me dumb to my face. I'd probaly laugh in theirs and flounce off waving my LV handbag with all the takings behind me, then run them over in my limo or sports car depending what day of the week it was..............only joking about all that BTW.

Being serious again, I think also because my main business is massage people don't look down on you here as it is a health care job. I also don't allow my girls who do nails and skincare to be looked down on where I can control it as they do a bl**dy smashing job.

 

[EmJZ]

it's funny how the perception of our industry is that we're a bunch of ditsy people...but we're one of the few industries that aren't only making it through the recession but actually thriving? hmmm...wonder who's really the dumb ones?

 

[sarah_clancy]

it's funny how the perception of our industry is that we're a bunch of ditsy people...but we're one of the few industries that aren't only making it through the recession but actually thriving? hmmm...wonder who's really the dumb ones?

Could not agree more!!!xx

 

[linzi]

Ooh, nice thread - a very interesting read. Thanks DP!

When I was at school (and it's not THAT long ago) my nails were painted in different designs every single night (I had no friends ), every spare penny went on polishes, I LOVED doing my nails. Anyway, when it came to the time when we had to choose where we wanted to go for work experience, I chose the salon but was told by the guidance teacher that I was 'too smart for that' and no amount of saying but that's what I want to do!! would change that - I ended up in the local council office Another girl in the class (who had no interest in beauty) ended up in the salon.

Then, when I left school, I had to pop into the guidance office to pick something up and both my drama and languages teachers were there. One of them asked me what I was going on to do and when I said beauty, the Drama teacher said that's a shame, I wanted you (!!) to go to RSAMDA, the languages teacher agreed and said she had wanted me to continue doing languages - I had been going on to do Advanced highers, then a degree.

Now, like Vetty (I think, I apologise if not) said, it's offered like a backhanded compliment. "You're not like the stereotypical beauty therapist, are you?", "You know, you seem a bit clever to be doing..." - erm, no. I'm different to your perception of the stereotype. I also neither wear a kilt or run around screaming 'Nessy' and chasing haggis like the stereotypical Scot :lol:

I do dislike the idea that we're all just a bunch of people who didn't manage to do anything else - and I cringe when I see/read/watch something that just reinforces the image. But at the end of the day, I know I'm not dumb, so why should it matter?

Also, as has been said several times, we have the ability to make a lot more in one day than others do in a week. Not so dumb now, are we?