When the woman walks into the hair salon, I knew she was going to be a issue. Plastering on a fake smile, I approach the check-in table.

“Hi, can I help you?”

“Um, yeah. Why else would I be here?” She says in a grating voice, popping her hip out.

Customers that treat employees badly, I don’t see the point in treating them kindly.

“I don’t know lady. Do you need a trim?”

“No, actually it’s Christy’s birthday party and she is going to be wearing a dress that I got for myself, and she insists she had no clue I had the same one, but I did and she saw it when she came over for girls night and-“

“Lady!”

“What? You know, you’re so rude. You shouldn’t interrupt people when their talking. You are lucky that I’m even here supporting your small business-“

“Hold on one minute, I need to check on one of the other customers,” I say looking for any excuse to not deal with this lady. I walk into the employee room which is completely empty. So nice of everyone else to not show up for work today.

“I’m the only one here! There are no other customers!” The woman shouts from outside the door.

I take a deep breath, trying to remember that I have to be considerate to all the customers.

“Oh, you’re right, I was just checking on something in the storage room,” I say, layering my voice with honey, “You were saying what you wanted?”

“Yes, I need my hair dyed blue.”

“Blue? Are you sure?”

“Yes, of course I’m sure! And I don’t need _your_ opinions on my hair.” She says, gesturing towards my bun.

I exhale and breathe ,”Can I get a name for the appointment?”

“Karen McDougal”

I snigger as I hold inside a laugh.

“Karen? That’s your name?”

“That’s what I said! Are you hard of hearing or something?”

Laughing slightly, I reply, “Nope, heard you loud and clear!”

Handing her a packet of shades of blue dye, I explain to her to pick one she likes.

“I think I want this one,” She says, pointing towards a teal-hued shade.

“Got it!” I say as I walk to the shelf of dye and pick the color she chose.

“Have You ever thought of changing the lighting in here? It’s SO unflattering!” She complains, disgusted.

I pretend I don’t hear her as I show her to the salon seat.

“Here, just sit for a bit while I get the tools.”

“Your nailbeds are TERRIBLE!” She shrieks, grabbing my hand.

I pull my hand back immediately, “Thanks, but I didn’t ask.”

“You should really do something about them.”

I gather the matierials and get her hair done, trying to tune out her never ending chatter about split ends and dresses.

“There! Done! Do you like it?” I ask.

“No, I decided about halfway through that I would rather have purple instead. Do it again.”

And then I yeet the Karen out the door. Bye-bye Karen!

—Share your Karen stories in the comments!—