Beauty Tips for Ministers

Three Words For You, Doves: CON-FI-DENCE

January 6, 2009 on 11:39 am | In Beauty Tips' Greatest Hits, Fighting Frump, Self Care | 7 Comments

So I’m getting ready to leave for six+ weeks on the first leg of my sabbatical journey and I’m rushing around like a fool, but I just must comment on this comment by RevUCC.

Ladies and gentlemen of the cloth, why is it that we can preach, witness for peace and justice, organize entire communities, walk fearlessly into a room with Death, perform ancient rituals with presence and panache, and yet TOTALLY LOSE OUR NERVE WITH RETAIL SALES CLERKS!??????
WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

For as long as I’ve been writing this blog, I’ve been getting inquiries from amazing religious leaders all over the world who wouldn’t hesitate to speak before thousands, but who can’t return a pair of ill-fitting shoes or tell a saleslady that the fuschia and orange blazer she just picked out for them is just not their taste. They have been too nervous to speak up in the stylist’s chair and to say, “I really want a dramatic change this time, I’ve brought some photos, what do you think?” and to veto any ideas they don’t like. They have hesitated to say, “I’m so sorry, but now that I see this color on my nails, I think it’s absolutely awful. Can we do a polish change?”

But you know what, duckies? I KNOW what this is about. It’s about not wanting to waste our own time and the time of others. We are considerate people and we’re busy people. Also, deep down, this is about our ambivalence around even taking the time to focus on ourselves at all. But PeaceBang doesn’t want to hear those excuses any more. We work very hard on behalf of the Kingdom of God, and when we DO take time off to attend to our own self-care, appearance and image, we should use that time wisely, thoughtfully and productively — not rush around slap-dash and accepting second-best.

Are you listening to your Auntie PeaceBang?

Then hear this: Making yourself a visually presentable leader in the community is part of your job.

Therefore, when you go forth to purchase clothing, to attend to your grooming, to obtain advice or services from professionals around any aspect of your appearance (not to mention your physical, medical health!!), you must take this work seriously and do it well.

Don’t like the shoes? Take them back. Ask another salesperson to help you find a pair that suits your needs and that doesn’t aggravate your plantar’s fascitis. Be patient, be specific about what you need, and let them do their job.
The bras you just bought at a dear price don’t heft your bosom adequately? Take them back and ask for a re-fitting. Be assured that the store you purchased them from would rather have you come back and go away a satisfied customer (repeat business!) than to wear the bras unhappily and never come back.
Hate the nail polish? Ask if the manicurist has time to change the polish — of course she does. It only takes a moment. Tip her an extra $5 for her time and effort (and because you don’t want to be a pain in the a** who assumes this gal’s got nothing better to do all day than to put new polish on your nails — and it was your bad to pick that color in the first place). Hate your hair color? Call and make an appointment for a fixer-upper. People do this ALL. THE. TIME. PeaceBang does this ALL. THE. TIME (I mean, relatively speaking). The trick to doing it and still being a favorite client is to maintain great relationships of care, support and consideration with your beauty and self-care providers, to thank them sincerely and often, send them new business, have a fun time when you’re in their chair, remember them at the holidays, make it a point to speak to their manager about the wonderful service you received from them, and tip well (not extravagantly, just well). In a world of cell-phone addled, self-absorbed and rude consumers, you will stand out as a bright spot in their appointment book and they will look forward to seeing you.

So darlings, what have we learned from this?
1. Looking appropriate and put together is part of your job.
2. If you don’t like the service you have received or the item you have purchased, speak up. Return. Consult. Give people an opportunity to make you a happy customer.
3. Be an appreciative, generous client and you will be a cherished client even if an exacting one. You are a public leader. Your hair, your grooming, your clothing, accessories and shoes are on public display. Believe me, the people who provide the services that dress and groom you want you to reflect well on them. Don’t forget that.