This is my second time attempting to go to this nail salon. It is right down the street from my home, and I wanted to try it out. The first time that I went in was about two months ago after I saw that walk-ins were welcomed. When I went in, I was the only African-American within the salon. When asked to be serviced, after several minutes of chatter amongst the employees, I was told that they could not get me in today, although walk-ins were supposedly welcomed. While I was disappointed, I thanked them for their service, and departed from the salon.
Today I went in again, hoping for a more enjoyable experience. Walked into the salon, I noticed that I again was the only African-American customer. As I walked in the door, a white woman came in behind me. I was greeted by a male employee, who asked me what service I needed today. I told him that I needed a manicure. He looked at my hands, and told me that he would have to speak with his manager. After he walked off from the host stand to go and speak with his manager in the back, he told me that I could not be seen at this moment, but I would have to come back another time. I asked if waiting was an option. He again went to go and speak with his manager, who is in the back, came back out, and told me that the time would be too late for me to wait around-- there were only three other customers in the shop at the time, two of them were finishing up. As I was getting ready to leave, disappointed again, I noticed that the white woman that came in right behind me was immediately sat down and serviced.
While, I think that many will look at this recommendation as an attempt to "play the race card", but my two experiences at this nail salon, exude racial discrimination. While one may also say that the salon is owned and operated by individuals who identify as Asian, I was still a victim of racially discriminated.
I'm grateful for the nail salon, which was down the street from this nail salon, who did not mind if I waited to be serviced and promised me that I would be able to receive a service today!
While I would love to be able to comment on the manicure service that I received today at this salon, sadly I have to report that as a Black man in Mount Juliet, I would not be serviced at this location. read more