Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Who do you think I am? Oh yah, a lawyer.


When I first got out of law school, one of my main challenges was the people's perception of a lawyer. I went from getting discounts and breaks for being a woman and a student... to getting the "lawyer" treatment. Let me illustrate through a story.

I dye my hair. I always do. I don't have to, but I like to look "pretty" or different. Whatever. When I first moved here, it was a challenge to find an affordable salon. I went to all the normal places downtown. I quickly realized that I couldn't afford getting my hair done there on 50K a year. So, I tried the low end salons in the expensive area... and suffered greatly. I had a woman cut my long locks off with clippers--of all things. The salon thought that cutting hair with clippers was innovative. Another time and another salon, I had hair that was the same color as Bozo the Clown's. And it's curly too. So, I looked like Bozo the Clown. I was desperate.

I was looking for the holy grail of hair stylists... both affordable and talented. So, the next best thing would be to go to ethnic salons.

A secretary at my office came in one day with a kick ass haircut and phenomenal highlights. I was so intrigued!

"Allisa, where the heck did you get your hair done? It looks amazing??!"

"Oh my God, Angel. I go to this Tranny Mexican's salon in the mexican part of town. She's cheap as shit, but she is really good!"

BINGO!

I made an appointment and walked, NO, ran down to the salon. Well, I took the train.

I exited the train and walked past Mexican restaurants and grocery stores. I passed a couple of members of the Latin Kings. Everyone was nice as can be. I even stopped in a Mexican/Cuban bakery and ordered a tres leches cake. Delicious. I was happy as a clam to find this gem of a neighborhood and a diamond of a Tranny Hair Stylist.

So, I walked in the salon. I spotted Ursula right away. She's the only Mexican I've ever seen (who isn't born here) that was over 6 feet tall. She was wearing a see through mesh shirt and her tatas were exposed to the world. It was love.

We didn't understand a word the other said, but I left with brilliant looking hair. Somehow, I conveyed to her that I worked with Allisa at a law office. I wasn't specific. By our hand gestures and small exchange, I could tell she assumed I was a secretary.

We "spoke" about her well endowed boyfriend and how he rescued her from her pueblo [sic] in Mexico. The grand total for a cut and highlights was $50.

And it was $50 when I came in again in a few months.

It was $50 when I came a few months later.

At my third appointment, she did her magic once again. I opened my purse and reached for my $50 bill and an additional $15 for tip.

Then she said... $175.

What????? I went to an ATM at the store next door and got the money.

The next day, I went up to Allisa and told her what happened. Allisa was shocked and dumbfounded.

Then she came into my office and said,

"I know what happened. I got my hair cut yesterday and she asked me what you do here and I told her you were a lawyer. She must have figured you can afford it." WRONG!

Yes.. she knew I was an Abogado. Of course, I could never go back. Why would I trek into the Mexican Barrios to pay Downtown prices?

I really need to go back to my natural color.

3 comments:

  1. Laypeople seem to think that lawyers have more discretionary income. What they don't take into account is that most of those lawyers have very large student loan payments to make. They also are not aware of the over-saturation of the industry.

    BTW, this was a funny story. I hope pre-law students run across more stories like this.

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  2. Would you like to be the face of our google group? I'll post your pic instead of that other woman's.

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  3. Ha. Ha. Ha. NO! I don't want anyone to know who I am.

    ReplyDelete

 

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