Has anyone done one of the revealed audits for a Vietnamese nail salon being offered by one of the major MSCs? The guidelines are quite fascinating. The fee is pretty high, although the guidelines warn that the audit may take a few hours.

? Tell me more! Tell me more! Oh, please tell me more! Do we start with a shop, consisting of mani/pedi/facial/etc. and then do a revealed audit?

It's an audit regarding certain brands of nail supplies. The one I saw did not involve any services.

Pardon my abysmal ignorance but how does a "Vietnamese nail salon" differ from your standard-issue non-Vietnamese nail salon? Not asking for professional reasons because I'm a middle-aged guy, so, not really a good candidate for these ... it's just that my curiosity is piqued.

@KokoBWare wrote:

Pardon my abysmal ignorance but how does a "Vietnamese nail salon" differ from your standard-issue non-Vietnamese nail salon? Not asking for professional reasons because I'm a middle-aged guy, so, not really a good candidate for these ... it's just that my curiosity is piqued.

I looked at the guidelines; there is a section dealing with "Asian Cultural Norms" that shoppers need to read.
I guess that is the difference right there.

BTW, the reason that so many nail salons are Vietnamese-owned is because that trade is what they were taught in the post-Vietnam War refugee camps. And Tippi Hedren helped. Cool article from the BBC below:

[www.bbc.com]

I was getting my nails done at Vietnamese salons. I was always pleased. I stopped when personal services stopped due to covid. I would never shop or audit those locations, but I might shop or audit other salons that I have not visited.

aren’t they all vietnamese?

OMG Don't even get me started on how much I loooove facials. So glad my favorite place to get them is doing them again.

@Shop-et-al wrote:

? Tell me more! Tell me more! Oh, please tell me more! Do we start with a shop, consisting of mani/pedi/facial/etc. and then do a revealed audit?

No they aren't all Vietnamese.

As for the person who asked the difference. As someone who has received manicures/pedicures every two weeks for the past 12 years, here you go from my observations in my area (YMMV):

1. Vietnamese places are generally walk-ins and will blatantly lie to you about the wait time so you won't go to another salon. Some take appointments, but if they have a customer in that seat, even with an appointment you will be waiting. Most non-Vietnamese places do not take walk-ins and are appointment only. 99% of the time when you arrive the tech is ready for you.

2. Vietnamese places recommend "getting a new set" of acrylic nails every month or so. This is to generate more revenue because full sets cost a lot more and give them more profit than a fill. Non-Vietnamese places actually take enough care of your nails that you don't need a full set - well hardly ever. I think the last time I got a full set was over 3 years ago.

3. Vietnamese places have literally cut my fingers (one salon it was the same lady about 4 visits straight before I complained and never went back) and left me bleeding because they are in such a hurry to get done. I understand a nick every once in awhile is inevitable but the amount of time I have been cut at a Vietnamese salon vs. non-Vietnamese salon tells me they need to slow down.

Nixkit. I have reported your post. It is extremely prejudiced. How can you generalize about an ethnic group based upon pure anecdotal experiences. To infer that all Vietnamese salons behave as you described is bigoted.

I accessed this thread in error, but am glad that was the case.

nixkit states--.......my observations in my area (YMMV)

kenasch posts--Nixkit. I have reported your post. It is extremely prejudiced. How can you generalize about an ethnic group based upon pure anecdotal experiences. To infer that all Vietnamese salons behave as you described is bigoted.

Bob's comment--:nix indicated it was her observation and in her area. In my opinion, she was not being prejudiced, generalizing.nor stating an inference. As to being bigoted, she was merely sharing her experiences.

Shopperbob. The problem with her post is that she is labeling the issues she had with “Vietnamese places”. To connect her issues with a particular ethnic group is in mind prejudiced. Vietnamese salons are not related to a brand name. It’s still a gross generalization and bigotry in my mind, even with the “in my area” caveat.

The salons I refer to and previously patronized were owned and ran by Vietnamese people. Is the post prejudiced as well since the ship is for a "vietnamese salon"? It's like asking what the difference between Asian food and American food is. Is that prejudiced?

Anyways, I knew there would be people offended when I answered. I also said in my experience and in my area. Meaning your experience and area could be different.

I also find it interesting you didn't find the comment asking if there were any other kind of nail salons than Vietnamese salons offensive. It's the same thing.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2021 06:43PM by nixkit.

You are reporting on the service you received, not the taste of food. Suppose I posted on my experience on black run barbershops in my area, would that not be a huge red flag?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2021 06:57PM by kenasch.

Well, the Vietnamese-run salons in my area are the very top rated ones. My favorite is so totally different from those bad experiences that I send friends and neighbors there. Efficient, friendly, good prices, excellent health and safety practices, and if the wait is going to be long they tell me and invite me to return at a specific time to be served.

LOL ok - well, my intention wasn't to offend you but it seems I have. I don't feel my comment was prejudiced but if that is how you perceive it, so be it.

On that note - the one benefit of the Vietnamese salons is they are often very affordable. I probably pay double to get better service at non-Vietnamese salons but to me it's worth it. If I was in walesmaven's neck of the woods I may have a different experience.

I have been to Asian and non-Asian run nail salons. Never had a problem at either. The latter is more expensive due to their affluent locations. All I know is the latter sloughed off so much off the bottom of my feet, I had to hobble home in pain.

@kimmiemae wrote:

OMG Don't even get me started on how much I loooove facials. So glad my favorite place to get them is doing them again.

Biting my tongue so hard, it's bleeding.

Not THOSE kinds of facials! lol

@KokoBWare wrote:

@kimmiemae wrote:

OMG Don't even get me started on how much I loooove facials. So glad my favorite place to get them is doing them again.

Biting my tongue so hard, it's bleeding.

Facials aside, the nail salon posting specified "Vietnamese."