I've been coming to this spa for quite a while, which is why writing this review is so…read moredisappointing. I've had several great experiences here, recommended this business to others, and never imagined I'd leave feeling the way I did after my last appointment.
This was the first time I have ever walked out of a facial feeling anxious, upset, and emotionally drained instead of relaxed. I honestly don't want to come back. The only reason I will is because I already purchased a package with several prepaid visits remaining. Otherwise, this would have been my last appointment.
The facial itself started like every other appointment. We discussed my skin concerns, the esthetician made recommendations, and everything seemed completely normal. In the past, other estheticians have asked if I'd prefer to relax quietly or have a conversation. This time, I wasn't given that choice. The conversation just started. I was in the mood to chat, so I didn't think anything of it.
We talked about the holiday and other everyday things. Then, the conversation took a turn that left me completely shocked.
The esthetician began making repeated derogatory comments about Hispanic people. They said Hispanic people "take advantage of the system" by collecting government benefits instead of working hard. They said Hispanics "need to speak English because this is an English speaking country." They said Hispanics are "uneducated" and "don't want to learn." The comments kept coming, each one painting an entire community with the same hateful stereotype.
I couldn't believe I was hearing this while paying for a facial.
The irony is impossible to ignore. This business is located in Chula Vista, a city whose name is literally Spanish for "Beautiful View." Chula Vista is one of the most culturally diverse cities in San Diego County, and a large part of its community is Hispanic and Latino. I would be surprised if many of this spa's clients weren't Hispanic. Imagine paying for a relaxing facial only to hear someone making degrading comments about your culture, your family, or your community.
I couldn't just walk away and stay silent. I respectfully challenged the stereotypes and tried to explain why those comments were harmful. But that should never have been my responsibility. I paid for a facial, not to spend my appointment educating someone on why racism and prejudice are unacceptable.
What disturbed me just as much as the comments themselves was how comfortable the esthetician seemed saying them. There wasn't any hesitation. It wasn't said as a joke or a passing remark. It was an ongoing conversation filled with stereotypes and discriminatory statements about an entire ethnic group. That level of comfort raises serious concerns about the environment this business has created. Whether it's a lack of training, accountability, or leadership, no employee should ever feel comfortable expressing those views to a paying customer while representing a business.
A spa is supposed to be a place where people feel welcomed, safe, and cared for. Instead, I left feeling uncomfortable, anxious, saddened, and disappointed. The experience stayed with me long after I walked out the door.
I debated about writing this review because my previous experiences here had been positive. I even lost sleep over it. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized about the people who come here expecting a safe and welcoming environment. They deserve to know what happened to me before deciding where to spend their money.
Everyone has different opinions, and that's not the issue. The issue is that a paying customer was subjected to repeated derogatory comments about an entire ethnic group during a service that was supposed to be relaxing. That should never happen in any professional setting.
Once I finish the prepaid services I already have, I won't be returning. I'll be spending my hard earned money supporting businesses that make every customer feel respected and welcomed, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background.
