Horrible Experience at Harmony Barber Shop

[Mouse House Mama]

I MYSELF AM A FEMALE BARBER, "KNOWING HOW TO HOLD YOUR SHEARS" IS WHAT YOU LEARN THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! SOUNDS TO ME SHE WAS "NOT" A LISCENSED BARBER OR COSMOTOLOGIST! EVERYTHING YOU DESCRIBED IN YOUR POST TELLS ME THAT THIS LADY SHOULD NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN ALLOWED TO TOUCH YOUR CHILD OR ANYONE ELSES HEAD. I HOPE NORMA STAYS WHERE EVER DISNEY PLACED HER. STYLISTS SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE TIME AND HAVE PATIENCE WITH CHILDREN...AND TRY TO MAKE HAIRCUTS A "NOT SO SCARY" THING......ALL KIDS EVENTUALLY GROW UP AND ENJOY SITTING IN THE BARBERS CHAIR! TO WHICH I AM THANKFUL BECAUSE THAT MEANS I WILL ALWAYS HAVE A JOB AND BE ABLE TO PAY FOR MY VACATIONS AT WDW

Amen!!! I am with you 100%!!! My biggest concern was that she didn't seem licensed. How could you not know how to hold your scissors? I too remember learning that day one of haircutting class! Hopefully Disney will remove her from her current position. I would hate for any other people/kids to be traumatized by her, not to mention they would be breaking the law if she is not licensed.

 

[Ozymoe]

Amen!!! I am with you 100%!!! My biggest concern was that she didn't seem licensed. How could you not know how to hold your scissors? I too remember learning that day one of haircutting class! Hopefully Disney will remove her from her current position. I would hate for any other people/kids to be traumatized by her, not to mention they would be breaking the law if she is not licensed.

I must have missed something...I remember the OP saying that Norma offered her the shears asking if she wanted to cut the bangs herself...which I thought might have been done in a sense of fun (maybe not, I wasn't there)...but did the OP say she didn't know how to hold the shears?

Does anyone here really think Disney would break the law and hire an unlicensed cosmetologist for the Harmony Barbershop in the Magic Kingdom? The comment made about suing over this is...just waaaay over the top.

I totally agree that it sounds as if the OP had a bad experience and I do NOT think she made it up, but there are differences in perception among all of us.

To be fair, if the child was buzzed up the back, there is nothing that can be done, but the hair will grow back. I am inclined to think that the description of "being buzzed up the back" must not have resulted in a freak show of a haircut (or it wasn't quite as bad as intimated) because the OP continued on with the vacation and didn't have it corrected until later when she returned home.

Don't get me wrong, I DO comiserate with the OP about this less than magical experience and I would certainly NOT agree with Disney assaulting children with hair clippers, but I'd like to gently remind us all that there are two sides to every story.

Sigh. Flame away.

I really shouldn't get involved in these things, but y'all just get so carried away!

(edited to correct the spelling of cosmotology to cosmetology...lol I must have been subconsciously thinking of Cosmo Kramer from Seinfeld)

 

[undertheradar]

AH...........Days later and the infamous haircut is still being debated. As many have stated, it is hair and it will grow back. The chosen word is COSMETOLOGY, not COSMOTOLOGY(sounds like something to do with outer space ). While this particular experience was bad, spreading that woman's name all over the internet to anyone who will read it is SLANDER. If it was as bad of a haircut as the OP states, why then, was it not worthy of a visit to Guest Relations right then? Yes, "junior" was upset, but if this cut was so terrible, there is no justification that the line was too long at Guest Relations or that the time needed to be used calming him down.
I brought up the subject of compensation and the OP denied wanting any. Another poster complained about a "new" shop clerk who made her cry , and she willingly accepted $200.00 for dinner from a manager at Boardwalk. People are always wanting something, regardless of what they claim. I found it troubling that the OP took her son to another Disney salon and the salon was willing to cut his hair while he was asleep. Imagine waking up in a barber's chair getting a haircut .This is the same child who had such a bad cough that the OP had a thread going about taking the child to WDW with croup. It sounds as if there was a non-magical moment for you, but there is no way to justify spreading the stylists name across the DIS based upon one person's opinion. Granted, I was NOT there, but a thread warning parents to be cautious would serve more purpose than posting the woman's name in an attempt to have her terminated or relocated based upon one experience.

 

[rt2dz]

While this particular experience was bad, spreading that woman's name all over the internet to anyone who will read it is SLANDER.

Ok, I really wasn't going tp post anything, but I couldn't resist. SLANDER is a spoken word. This is written, which means its LIBEL. You might be saying, so what, same thing, but it really isn't. I can't even get into the differences it is so complex, but there is a whole class taught in colleges on just this subject to give you an idea of why it is important. And there is an undeniable defense against libel--the truth. And since the first post is simply a copy of a letter of complaint written, libel would be hard to prove as even taking place. The rest of the discussion is based solely on a letter. And, yes, the person bringing the libel complaint must prove that isn't the truth.

 

[undertheradar]

Ok, I really wasn't going tp post anything, but I couldn't resist. SLANDER is a spoken word. This is written, which means its LIBEL. You might be saying, so what, same thing, but it really isn't. I can't even get into the differences it is so complex, but there is a whole class taught in colleges on just this subject to give you an idea of why it is important. And there is an undeniable defense against libel--the truth. And since the first post is simply a copy of a letter of complaint written, libel would be hard to prove as even taking place. The rest of the discussion is based solely on a letter. And, yes, the person bringing the libel complaint must prove that isn't the truth.

I can't resist either LIBEL or SLANDER = DEFAMATION.

The intent is there in the form of posting the complaint for anyone to see. The inclusion of names and details further magnifies the action of DEFAMATION. Since the OP has expressed an OPINION , the truth cannot be realized. Good luck on your future legal career

 

[beattyfamily]

I thought this thread was going fine for the most part until now. It's a person's personal experience at the Disney salon, for what's it's worth. Keep it in the back of your mind in case your thinking of getting your child's hair cut there. That's all.

We really shouldn't personalize this by picking on each other. That'll get this informative thread closed fast (unless that's what you are trying to accommplish).

Can't we all just get along??

 

[SueM in MN]

Amen!!! I am with you 100%!!! My biggest concern was that she didn't seem licensed. How could you not know how to hold your scissors? I too remember learning that day one of haircutting class! Hopefully Disney will remove her from her current position. I would hate for any other people/kids to be traumatized by her, not to mention they would be breaking the law if she is not licensed.

I am not licensed to cut hair (nor do I play someone who is on TV), but I do know that when my niece (who is licensed) was just beginning at a new salon, she had to learn their standards, which did include doing some cutting and being told at what angle to hold the scissor for the particular types of cuts they did there (an Aveda Salon). The same thing happened on the TV show about the Jonathon salons that was on TV. His assistants (who were already licensed and experienced hairstylists) had to do several haircuts under his supervision - which did include him telling them the exact angle to hold the scissors.

Just wanted to point out that there could be many reasons for a stylist to be seeming to ask another how to hold the scissors.
I don't believe they would be able to have an unlicensed person cutting hair in a salon, especially with children.

 

[rchristiansen]

I brought up the subject of compensation and the OP denied wanting any. Another poster complained about a "new" shop clerk who made her cry , and she willingly accepted $200.00 for dinner from a manager at Boardwalk.

HOW RUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm that poster. Are you laughing at a situation that made me upset? That's awful! I did not WILLINGLY take it. He insisted I take it. I asked for nothing. I simply wanted to report that. While we were filling out the report, the manager left and came back with the voucher. I didn't want it. I was shocked that I got it.

 

[txgirl]

AH...........Days later and the infamous haircut is still being debated.

There actually wasn't a debate until today's posts with rude sarcasm and insults. I've seen threads on the DIS go on for days about television shows, Target sales, crockpots in the room and how to get your son to poop on the potty (hey, that's my thread! ) Who cares if the thread is still here? It just means that more people have been warned about ......(insert dramatic music here) DUM DUM DUM

NORMA

There. I said it. Using clippers on a child for their first haircut without asking the parent is ridiculous. Even if she did nothing else wrong, which most of us believe she did, that alone is enough to warrant some *name dropping*.

I agree that the poster who suggested to sue was obviously crossing the line.

Now go ahead and check my post for spelling errors, as I am certain to have some but please be nice!

 

[undertheradar]

HOW RUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm that poster. Are you laughing at a situation that made me upset? That's awful! I did not WILLINGLY take it. He insisted I take it. I asked for nothing. I simply wanted to report that. While we were filling out the report, the manager left and came back with the voucher. I didn't want it. I was shocked that I got it.

Thanks for the PM!

Feeling rude today! This all about a simple haircut, not the end of the world or civilization as we know it. Expectations are set too high. If someone posts on here that they got 6 balloons for a birthday from concierge, then everyone that doesn't get them is unhappy and feels "cheated." There are 2 sides to every story and I'm sure that the CM has her own. Perhaps all of the energy spent trying to derail the CM's career could be used to feed the hungry, help seniors with transportation or solve world peace. I got a haircut last week that I don't like . You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to wait for my hair to grow back and go to someone else next time. Obviously, the OP wasn't happy and everyone else should avoid the CM due to it. After all, nobody ever has an "off" day, do they? I surrender to the DIS experts who know everything there is to know in the world . In the words of Wayne: I'm not wothy!

 

[jamzots]

I can't resist either LIBEL or SLANDER = DEFAMATION.

The intent is there in the form of posting the complaint for anyone to see. The inclusion of names and details further magnifies the action of DEFAMATION. Since the OP has expressed an OPINION , the truth cannot be realized. Good luck on your future legal career

FYI it's only slander or libel if the O.P. was making something up and not telling the truth about what really happened, which she was telling the truth, it was not just an opinion since she has the picture of her son's shaved head to prove it. If it went to court she would also have witnesses. AND I was a paralegal student.
There are many threads on these boards about how you should stay away from certain stores because of them misleading the public, and because of the stores not following through with prices and shipping. I suppose this is slander or libel too?
To the O.P. sorry that this got so out of control, I just can't believe people would turn this around on you. I had a recent complaint about the BWV and I would be shocked if this was the reaction I received!!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Wow. Now I see why DIS gets such a bad reputation on the other WDW message boards.

What makes people think that they can speak whatever they want, all because they're safe behind their little computers, is beyond me.

I always wonder how many of these rude people would have the nerve to speak their minds this way IRL. When you resort to putting someone down just because you can, that's really sad.

To the OP, sorry your vacation was blemished by the haircutting incident. Hopefully next time the outcome will be a little more Disney-like.

 

[rchristiansen]

Someone please close this thread.

 

[aplejax76]

Thanks for the PM!

Feeling rude today! This all about a simple haircut, not the end of the world or civilization as we know it. Expectations are set too high. If someone posts on here that they got 6 balloons for a birthday from concierge, then everyone that doesn't get them is unhappy and feels "cheated." There are 2 sides to every story and I'm sure that the CM has her own. Perhaps all of the energy spent trying to derail the CM's career could be used to feed the hungry, help seniors with transportation or solve world peace. I got a haircut last week that I don't like . You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to wait for my hair to grow back and go to someone else next time. Obviously, the OP wasn't happy and everyone else should avoid the CM due to it. After all, nobody ever has an "off" day, do they? I surrender to the DIS experts who know everything there is to know in the world . In the words of Wayne: I'm not wothy!

I just wanted to let you know that although you think it is just a "simple" haircut. It wasn't for the OP or her child. I tried once to use clippers on my son when he was about 2 . I explained, showed him what they do on daddy. Started cutting his hair. Well, he freaked out!!! DS(7) still hates getting his haircut. So to him it was a big deal. Maybe not to an adult but for a young child they can remember that for a long time. So why don't you try some compassion instead of laughing at the situation.

P.S. The expectation has nothing to do with the horrible service she had!!!
***stepping off the soap box****

 

[undertheradar]

Perhaps the reasons for the reputation are because people express opinions. I received quite a rude PM and found it insulting. While I understand that kids need to be informed of what is going on( I have 3), I am amazed at the emphasis on the boards that "if it says it here, it must be so." JMHO

 

[aplejax76]

Perhaps the reasons for the reputation are because people express opinions. I received quite a rude PM and found it insulting. While I understand that kids need to be informed of what is going on( I have 3), I am amazed at the emphasis on the boards that "if it says it here, it must be so." JMHO

I am a cosmetologist as a previously stated. It is not just what you should do at Disney it is what you should do at any salon MAKE THE CHILD COMFORTABLE. Stickers, spray bottles, giving them a comb, make funny faces whatever it takes. Its called customer service. I work on commission. I have to do this to get clients to come back. I would expect that from any salon I would take my child to.

 

[urglewurgle]

her job is not to entertain your child...

in any normal situation i'd completely agree... but... in this case... it IS part of her job.. the woman didn't seem very good with children... but you'd kinda think that'd be a requirement for someone working in a disney park right?

i'm not saying the child isn't still first and foremost the parent/guardians' responsability, of course they are... but the stylist is there to do a job.. and if she didn't feel up to dealing with a small child.. she should've got someone else to do it... kwim?

Sometimes a feeling of violation leaves you in shock and you just want to run away. She is not at fault for not reporting it immediately. Her letter was well written and I am sure it will garner attention.

i agree! sometimes i've paid for things i should've stood my ground and complained about because i'm in shock! Disney should still take her complaint seriously... surely one shouldn't have to waste holiday time writing letters or complaint/queueing to complain?!?

My son is not a brat and does not put up a fight. He's a normal 2 year old who just needs a little entertainment in order to sit. Once you entertain him, he lets you cut his hair. He's just not going to sit there and read a magazine like someone suggested.

oh man... kids wriggle and whine.. it's in their job description i swear! and you'd have thought anyone working on the "front line" @ a KID'S theme park, esp. disney, would be trained in how to deal with kids right?

all4fun = what a cutie your son is!!

KNOWING HOW TO HOLD YOUR SHEARS" IS WHAT YOU LEARN THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! SOUNDS TO ME SHE WAS "NOT" A LISCENSED BARBER OR COSMOTOLOGIST!

yeah... i'm sure anyone else ever sees this happening in the future... you'll run! lol... seriously.. that does REALLY worry me...

hmmm.. anyway... i am sorry you guys had a bad experience.... hopefully your complaint will have been taken seriously... Norma will have been reprimanded/retrained/whatever needs to be done.. and this won't happen again...

luckily no-one was hurt.. and your sons hair will grow back... and i'm sure he'll be giving himself a few, erm, "novel" haircuts int he not too distant future...

here's hoping your next trip to the house of mouse goes without a hitch!

 

[all4fun]

all4fun = what a cutie your son is!!

Ahhh, geeze, thanks! We think he's pretty special too.

Well written post btw.

And I agree with Applejax76. Kids do remember things, and for a long time sometimes too! I hope the OP's son is able to forget this one!

 

[Ozymoe]

...luckily no-one was hurt.. and your sons hair will grow back... and i'm sure he'll be giving himself a few, erm, "novel" haircuts int he not too distant future...

here's hoping your next trip to the house of mouse goes without a hitch!

Is this a universal experience? When I read the part about the "...erm, "novel" haircuts" I really had to chuckle. Not only did my mother have to deal with this when I was six, but I had to go through this with my own daughters by turns when they were approximately the same age.

The most memorable was when DDElise maintained for a whole day that she had no idea how her bangs "got that way". Finally she admitted that she cut "that one part off" because it was so "bendy the wrong way". Sigh...now that was a looong growing out process since she literally cut it to within a quarter inch of her scalp...and neatly?...not so much...probably because it was done with "safety scissors"...an oxymoron if there ever was one. I still think her twin helped on that little adventure.

 

[BAYSIDE MOM]

I will preface this by saying that we just had our two oldest childrens hair cut at the Harmony Barbershop in December and had a wonderful experience, BUT if what happened to OP son happened to one of my kids I too would be furious. Sometimes, hard to believe people, there are unmagical experiences at Disney, and accusing the OP of lying and making rude comments and offering what I would have done advice, when you are not in her position is just dumb! Yeah, my two year old is screaming and crying but let me go wait in line with him at Town Hall to file a complaint when I can just email the complaint at my convenience, brillant! For those folks who don't think its that big a deal, its because IT WAS NOT YOUR CHILD! Disney had built its reputation (and prices) on customer service, if one feels they have been treated unfairly, one has the right to vent and complain. I have worked in a service related field for 20 years (in NYC), I know how rude and demanding people can be, and you know what, I'M getting paid to do my job in a professional manner, regardless of whether, I am having a "bad" day or not. I think she has a very legitimate gripe, and maybe the reson so many people are complaining lately about CMs being rude, unhelpful etc. is because no one wants to complain.