Waxing services 4 men?

[Kenny K]

Hi All: I need your feedback and some calming energy. I received a call today at the spa I work at from a man seeking to get a brazilian wax. On our brochure it states that this particular service is for women only. I informed him of this he got peeved and asked if we discriminate against men. I told him no we do not and it is the policy here that this service is offered for women only. However the bikini wax is an option, because it was not specified that it's gender specific. He chose to seek another spa. I'm really a little shaken up because I don't want this to be an issue of discrimination with this litigious society we live in. Does anyone know any case laws or had any experience with this issue. Okay I'm going to try to refocus my thoughts and calm down. t009

 

[EnigMA]

Shh, there there, it's okay, take some deep breathes t056
First of all, you said it's a spa where you work. This means you're an employee, right? You're just enforcing the spa's rules, not your own, so even if this guy did decide to sue for discrimination, you are not the one who would be in trouble.
If you're worried on behalf of the spa...I'm sure they have a lawyer! Go to your manager or the owner or whatever and give them a heads up on what happend. I'm sure he or she will support your action to stand by spa policy, since it was put there for a reason!

 

[Benny Boodle]

You do have to be careful about this. What state are you in? There are quite a few states where the brazilian wax is against the state protocols. So you might want to check that as well. As for some spas offering some services to women and not to men that is their choice as the service provider. Why do some "barber" shops only offer shaves to men and not to women? It is a provider choice. But yes in this society it can get pretty "hairy". I wouldn't worry too much if you are only the employee tho. Just CYA.

 

[lynnet bielech michaels]

I'm in IL. I checked w/ someone in law that told me that not all of the laws are clear and established on MT/Bodywork services in this state. Some of the laws are so subjective/unprecise or simply don't exist (yet) so you really have to use your own discretion in some cases. That sucks for me because I believe in having a plan of action not a plan or reaction but I guess that's not reality!

Bigggggg thank you's for all of your words of encouragement and I really love that kiss on the forehead smilie!

 

[marielita]

I can't stress enough, that discrimination in the legal sense probably could not possibly apply here.

The spa is deciding what products or services to offer for sale. It is not denying someone a law-protected type of opportunity (buying a house, employment, education). "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone" was invented for this and similar (though usually much worse!) situations.

I don't have an opinion about what the spa should offer or to whom. Just my take on the (un)likelihood of this being an actionable situation. Reputation, maybe. Litigation, almost impossible.

Laws regarding bodywork, even when minimal, usually focus more on what one may NOT do rather than what one MUST do (as far as offerings).

 

[Zhuge Liang]

I spoke with the owner about it (to cmb(utt)). When I went back and reviewed the call log that call came up "Private Caller" (which was a red flag when I saw it) which I noticed when I answered. I tried to think positive and that maybe it was someone w/ caller id but I couldn't help but be a smidge suspect. I won't continue to let this dampen my Good Friday! Thank you all!!

 

[XxKarToonxX]

Must be the week for men and wax. Same thing just happend to my business partner who does skin care. She simply told him that special training was necessary for that and she does not do it. I asked her when he left and she said that yes it school they did talk about it and it indeed does require some sort of special training. Guess they better put the speedos away.
And BJB sounds right on to me. The right to refuse service should be yours in a situation like that. IMO.

 

[superspooky78]

Seattlesunshine: what was his response? I checked some other spas in the surrounding area and not many of them offered that service to men or they were wax centered businesses. I did find a lot of male waxing options in the downtown area and the state of California!

 

[razzy]

Most businesses do not offer male brazilian waxing - you're not alone! There is genuine demand, but there are also a lot of clients wanting a brazilian wax for other reasons. The guy was probably getting really fed up with everyone saying they don't do it. In future you could always refer them to waxwaxwax.com - there are lots of posts on the message board of looking for male brazilian in....
IMO male brazilians are easier than female ones - less areas to try to get at, everything is out in the open, you just get them to stretch everything out of the way (the client will stretch the skin more firmly than you would ever think possible!) I've been told many times chest waxing is MUCH more painful than a brazilian. Even so, I don't like waxing, so I don't do any waxing. (I'm an MT and beauty therapist - dual certified or whatever you want to call it)

 

[Michaela B]

Most businesses do not offer male brazilian waxing - you're not alone! There is genuine demand, but there are also a lot of clients wanting a brazilian wax for other reasons. The guy was probably getting really fed up with everyone saying they don't do it. In future you could always refer them to waxwaxwax.com - there are lots of posts on the message board of looking for male brazilian in....
IMO male brazilians are easier than female ones - less areas to try to get at, everything is out in the open, you just get them to stretch everything out of the way (the client will stretch the skin more firmly than you would ever think possible!) I've been told many times chest waxing is MUCH more painful than a brazilian. Even so, I don't like waxing, so I don't do any waxing. (I'm an MT and beauty therapist - dual certified or whatever you want to call it)

Alas, waxwaxwax.com has waned. I could not access the site.

 

[mgm]

He was ok i think with it. If I where told that the person didn't have training for that kind of service I would not want to be the test case thats for sure!

 

[Jabberwock]

I know that's right! t099

 

[Hawkeye]

Okay now I'm getting peeved. The same person called back twice asking about that service again and was given the same response by everyone that answered the phone. WE DON'T HAVE THAT SERVICE FOR MEN!!! The individual tried to argue the spa receptionist down about it. Then wanted to book another service and got impatient that there wasn't an earlier appt. time available. One of many red flags. This person sends uncomfortable vibes and we've (all staff) decided that we don't have any available appointments for several weeks for this individual. SOOOO Frustrating!! :evil: