#MicroblogMondays 28: Dreaded Task
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I was recently reminded of why I only get my hair cut once every two years when I took the ChickieNob. The stylist spent the entire haircut trying to convince us to switch shampoos, conditioners, and combs.
It is worse when I go. She tacks on how I need a new hairstyle, how I need to colour my hair, and how I need to change the products I use. I’m sure all these changes would be lovely, but I don’t want them and I’ve made that clear.
This isn’t unique to my stylist: the suggestions come from all stylists I’ve used. And I am also aware that she works on commission and needs to sell me these products or services to supplement her styling income. It’s a terrible system because the implied message to the customer is “you do not look good.” And that just makes me feel like avoiding her vs. buying a product.
Getting a haircut is a dreaded task up there with sitting in the waiting room at the gynecologist’s office (yes, I prefer the Pap smear to sitting amongst the pregnant bellies).
What are your dreaded tasks that you avoid?
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| 1. | Tas IVFer | 16. | Loribeth (The Road Less Travelled) | 31. | Jen (Days of Grace) |
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| 7. | Anamika Agnihotri | 22. | Mary Francis | 37. | My Path To Mommyhood (Jess) |
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| 15. | Geochick | 30. | Gypsy Mama |
43 comments
Backups. I’m terrible. I don’t know why I avoid doing it; I just do. I work in IT, so I know just how idiotic I’m being.
Doing my tax returns as a self-employed person. That and going to the dentist. And anything that involves an awkward phone call. Wow, I avoid a lot of things.
Hello Mel
My first time here – thanks for the opportunity to meet new bloggers. There aren’t many dreaded tasks in my life now, (apart from dentist visits) so like you maybe going to the hairdressers because my favourite ‘girl’ has left to have a baby and I’m not sure how I’ll feel about the others when it comes time to get a trim. And it is so hard to find a new one these days 🙁
Take care
Cathy
I dread making a phone call to anyone apart from my best friend and my mother. I am always short of words on a telephonic conversation. And I just don’t feel comfortable talking into the void without knowing the other person’s facial expressions in the conversation.
I’ve never had an experience like that with a stylist, but I tend to go to cheap places, lol. That sounds dreadful!
There are so many things I don’t enjoy doing:
– making phone calls (ugh)
– putting away the laundry (double ugh)
– sitting at my work desk 8 hours a day/5 days a week (endless ugh!)
It’s going to the stylist as well. I’ve had some great stylists, but finding one is hard. My pet peeve is them going ahead and cutting my hair in a way I have specifically said not to do. I once had a short Kate Plus 8 haircut when I had asked for a shoulder length cut. Last one wasn’t as bad: longer in the front, shorter in the back. Not what I was looking for, but at least I could cut the longer front pieces myself when I got home. I think I am very uncooperative clay to their artistry.
I usually end up doing my own hair because I hate spending loads of money and still not getting straight bangs or leaving with big hair when I’ve told them that’s totally not my style! Still, I do LOVE having someone else shampoo my hair, I find it so relaxing.
I dread going to the dentist, and I honestly don’t know why. I had one cavity my whole life and that wasn’t until I was 20. Still, I absolutely hate going and put it off.
I agree too with everyone who said phone calls. I’m a mega introvert, and phone calls tire me, I get overwhelmed and often end up sounding like someone incapable of expressing a single thought!
I hate putting away laundry. I don’t mind doing laundry it’s just the whole folding it and putting it away that I hate.
I dread dentist visits because the hygenist never shuts up! I’ll never leave my stylist because she has never been pushy about products. I mean, slowly over the years I’ve taken her suggestions about shampoo and product. But I also learned from her that I should only wash my hair 2x/wk and the really expensive shampoo lasts forever!
Taxes. That is my most dreaded task. Thankfully, my mom does them for me most years. So maybe my most dreaded is asking my mom to do my taxes again.
I messed up the first one! Second link is to the right post.
The dentist. I have to drug myself stupid to go to the dentist, because I am absolutely terrified. And since I don’t have time to sleep off my ativan most days, I just avoid going to the dentist altogether. Bad idea, I know.
Opening the mail (which now extends to email as well as paper mail) and listening to voicemails. I physically cannot make myself do it a lot of times. I think the deep root of it comes from having very low self esteem and either A. Not believing that someone took the time to leave me a message (I’m not kidding) or B. Hating he idea that someone doesn’t like me and feeling like someone sending me a bill of some kind is a confrontation of sorts.
The bad part is that I put off doing these tasks and then have to end up avoiding the person or agency which gets me into so much trouble (I mean the snowball situation that this problem sets into motion isn’t to be believed). It’s all super messed up and crazy and has caused me to seem so uncaring or irresponsible. So what o you think about that? haha
I hate 1) getting gas at any time especially right after work, 2) exercising after work, 3) going grocery shopping after work. I don’t like making phone calls as well.
Haircuts are at the top of the list. For all the reasons you stated PLUS I feel awkward with making chit-chat. I feel I need to be nice and entertain them, all while what I want to do is simply get my hair trimmed.
Other tasks include doctor’s appointments (long waits), dental visits (please be nice when cleaning my teeth) and grocery shopping.
Taxes. We keep putting it off later & later every year. I have this fear of owing tons of money. (we never get refunds anymore). Also pap smears. No pregnant bellies, I chose a Gyn that does not do OB. There are plenty out there, you should switch. My last 3 hairdressers never pushed any products on me, nor did they deride my hair style. I guess I’ve gotten luckY?
I never used to be this way, but making phone calls is definitely on the top of the list. Whether it is to a doctor’s office to schedule an appointment, or a company to take care of a bill, or sometimes even calling my own mother, it gives me so much anxiety! I am not sure why.
I am in total agreement regarding getting my hair cut. We move frequently, so I’m always having to look for new stylists. I can’t stand the inane chit-chat you’re supposed to keep going, which is so uncomfortable for me. I’d take finding a new doctor any day! I also have a weird thing about getting my eyes examined. It’s so strange when they’re right up in your face with their scopes, so close you can reach out and touch their nose. It makes me completely self-conscious.
I have heard of medical reps doing this in order to earn their commissions and it is rather a serious issue. But I never realised this could extend to other professions as well! You learn something new everyday!
I have used the same stylist for years. I do buy my shampoo and conditioner from the salon but there is no pressure to do so. He also gives me a reduced price for being a long time customer. The task I put off the longest is cleaning out the fridge. Ugh.
I haven’t had the issue with haircuts. And the main phone calls I avoid are to people who don’t want to help me (most customer support organizations today, I am afraid).
I like folding but hate putting away folded laundry too! My husband is the opposite so we take turns.
Cleaning out junk drawer(s) really paralyzes me. I know I don’t use most of the stuff most of the time, but there is always a case for keeping it… and then you have piles and stacks of wires and no clue which wire goes with which device. and then I tape the drawer shut. Hahahaahahaa.
I also hate organizing opened mail. What do you do with all that paper? You either grind it so no one can steal your identity, put some sort of meticulous filing system in place (that neither my husband nor I will follow) or throw it in a drawer/closet and forget about it until tax time. And then, I have to go through all the papers again for taxes.
I also hate getting haircuts. Clothes shopping. Laundry … but less so than haircuts and clothes shopping. 😉
Haircuts don’t bother me. My currently stylist doesn’t push product, he also doesn’t speak much English so win-win. My most dreaded typical task is Laundry! I HATE the idea of sorting all my stuff and taking it to the laundromat so much that I put it off for weeks on end until it’s a totally unmanageable task. If I would just do a little bit at a time it wouldn’t be so bad but I can never bring myself to do that. I can’t wait to get a washer and dryer in my new apartment!
I totally hear you on being sold products at the hair salon.
My most dreaded task is cleaning the bathroom. Hubby usually does it for me.
I am glad to read that so many other people hate talking on the phone. Always thought I was freakish that way. I like haircuts, but then I feel comfortable saying no to products although sometimes I buy them. If a stylist made me feel uncomfortable though I would not go back.
I also hated haircuts for years until I finally found the right salon and stylist. I even went there after I moved over 100 miles away, scheduling visits with work trips. Finally found another decent salon nearer home after rejecting three local ones. Especially the one who said my style was ‘unfeminine’ when she didn’t want to do what I asked. I’ve always got on better with male sytlists, less pushy and more chatty. Hopefully the perfect salon is out there for you and one day you’ll find it.
Oh dear! Poor you and the hairstylists you have!! I’d hate it just as much as you do.
My dreaded task is waxing. I do it, yes, but often I leave it way too long, and it’s awful when I go to my beautician again out of desperation… she must think I have no sex life at all or I would do something about “it”. She is half right!!
Going to the dentist! I used to be really scared of the dentist as a child. It’s better now but I still get nervous about going. All the sounds and tools scare me a little! And I also have sensitive teeth.
Mopping the floor. I even got a steam mop — a friend had one & told me she loved it so much, she mops her floor more often just to take it out & use it. I thought it might work the same for me, but nope. Love the results, and once I get going, it really doesn’t take long to do. I just hate all the prep — moving chairs, etc., and then waiting for everything to dry before I can put things back in their proper places. Also, washing windows. Same thing, love the results, just hate the actual doing. I used to hire someone to do it, but now that I am at home full time, I don’t think I will have an excuse, once the weather warms up a bit….
I’m not big on phone calls either.
Balancing our books and cleaning the bathroom are my two most dreaded tasks. Ugh to both of them!
I haven’t gone to a stylist in over 10 years, for many of the reasons you stated! My youngest sister just finished cosmetology school, and even she was insisting I change my hair care products! Meh!
Ugh, the dreaded hair product spiel… I used to buy the products out of guilt and then I spent all my money on fish oil, acupuncture, and follistim. I pretty much ignore the spiel and enjoy their products on the day(s) they are in my hair.
That said, I hate cleaning my shower. I don’t mind (and actually weirdly enjoy) cleaning toilets and sinks, but scrubbing shower and tub drives me nuts and I do it as little as possible. It’s the constant dampness, the gross dirt and soap scum (shouldn’t a shower clean itself? It’s just soap, shampoo, and water…I come out cleaner, so why can’t it self-clean?) I wish we could have a cleaner, if only to scrub the tub and shower. Yech I hate that job, and I probably ought to do it this week. Ugh.
Haircuts stress me out too. Not nearly as much as the gynecologist, but still. Glad I’m not the only one!
ha ha…not only the stylist !! Every time I go for eye-brows threading, she’ll suggest one hundred times as to how a facial can change my face !! But my face will be as it used to be right ??
But I go, sit there, listen to her, get my eye-brows done and am out 😀 😀
I dread the dentist…. it’s my worst nightmare.
Dreaded tasks:
1. Cleaning litter boxes
2. Going to laundrymat
3. Grocery (any, really) shopping
These flip the 1,2,3 positions routinely.
Oh I know just what you mean. My hair stylist has given up on suggesting that I color my hair! I told her that my husband would object ! 😛
As for me, doctor’s visits are best put off!
Dentists.
I agree with Mali. I avoid doing my taxes as I am self employed and it means HOURS collecting and adding up receipts and paying a huge bill to my accountant; the dentist and the wicked hygienist, and making awkward phone calls, cleaning out my mum’s storage locker, going into the garage to look for anything in a stacked box, … oh, no my life is full of dreaded tasks!
Dreaded tasks for me include making phone calls (including ordering pizza) and shopping for pants.
I remember you wrote a post about getting your haircut a while ago (probably 1-2 years ago!) and how she commented on your greys. I am starting to go gray and I LOVE IT. I want grey hair! I think it’s beautiful. Last time I went to get my haircut, my stylist (who I’ve been going to for nearly 20 years on and off) told me that I need to colour my hair because “Nobody wants to fuck and old lady.” And then she gave me a bad haircut. Those visits usually stress me out because of the endless complaining about her ex-husband, but that was too much. But…I am going back there on Thursday to get a trim. Argh.
So, I guess breaking up with people is a dreaded task too.
Taxes.
Yes, and the same thing bothers me about going to the hair salon.
I once had a stylist tell me I was balding and that I needed this special serum pronto. I was 22 with very thick & healthy hair, but his fear tactic stuck with me for a surprisingly long time after I left the salon. It was awful, and I would never go back. Other than that experience, I love haircuts! Very relaxing.
My dreaded task is grocery shopping, though I enjoy the end result. :p
Hmm. I’ve never gotten the idea that the stylist makes a commission off hair products. Maybe different locations do and don’t. It’s been a fairly long time since I’ve had someone push products. I did one time have a regular stylist offer to wax my eye brows for free. All I could think of was how bad they must have looked. As far as things I dread? Going to new doctors.