I hate going to the opticians. Actually I hate going anywhere with even the slightest medical association – the doctors, the dentist, casualty (I waited 24 hours after dislocating my shoulder but finally gave in when I couldn’t fasten my bra) and slightly unrelated, the hairdressers. Actually you can add the hairdressers to the top of the list. I think the reason for this is somewhere between being totally useless at small talk and having naturally curly hair. The look of alarm on the stylist’s face after blow drying my hair would be amusing, had I not got to get the train home afterwards. But they never listen – you can’t break the curls. In fact you can’t touch, breath on or even look at my hair funny until it’s totally dry.
But back to the opticians. I’ve needed a new pair of glasses for months but I kept putting off the inevitable until they broke. Broke to the extent that they could no longer be fixed with the pound shop spectacles repair kit. Though I did try. So, I made the appointment, deciding on a local optician on Stockport Road who turned out to be very pleasant and extremely patient. You see the reason I hate going so much is because I get totally confused. After about 15 minutes of being asked which lens is better, or whether this lens is better or just darker (?) I become so bewildered that I start saying anything just to get out of there.
And then afterwards when you’re trying to choose your frames with the help of an over-eager assistant with training in ‘face shapes’ who tries to flog you the latest ‘designer frames’ or ‘Reactions’ lenses when all you want is just to be able to see the TV without squinting. . . .
But I have to say that my experience with the local optician was very positive. And if you want to avoid the usual supermarket-style-free-for-alls then I’d highly recommend them – Blustons Optometrists, 904 Stockport Road, Levy. In fact it went so well that I may even book a hair appointment. But next week. Perhaps.
Thanks so much
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wow i thought it was just me having the hairdresser fear because of my curly hair. Your comments made me laugh as this happens to me all the time. The majority of hairdressers just don’t know the curly hair rules. My worst hairdresser horror was the process of trying to find one to do my hair for my wedding. After 4 appointments with 4 different stylists, the final straw came when the hairdresser came over and started brushing my curly hair before trying to then pin up the frizzy mess she had created.
I ended up doing my own hair on the big day….and await the day when hairdresses learn the curly hair rules!
I know! And when you tell them not to brush it when it’s dry or even touch as it’s drying, they just look at you strangely and do it anyway. I wish I knew a good ‘curly hair hairdresser’ but it seems they’re like gold dust.
Hi
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