I'M A country hairdresser and I'm close to tossing it in because I'm worn down by the stories of woe I get from my clients.
Being in the country, not only do I get the usual whinges about useless husbands, out-of-control teenagers, electricity bills and telemarketers, I get ear-bashed about droughts, the broken tractor, mice, locusts and floods as well.
I'm not qualified to help people with their problems.
Should I chuck it in?
Helen, Hamilton
Dear Helen,
I must admit I whinge to my hairdresser all the time.
Just the other day I was telling her how I was feeling stressed because the hubby wants to blow the harvest cheque on a new tractor and I reckon the money would be better spent on reducing the overdraft or new fences, anything but another piece of bloody machinery and ... sorry, you probably don't want to hear that, do you?
I understand you might feel depressed after we've unloaded all our concerns on to you, but don't worry - you'd be amazed how much better we feel afterwards.
It's cheaper than therapy and it doesn't matter you're not trained.
You don't need to say anything.
As your customers bang on, just throw in the odd "Mmm, I know" or "Isn't he awful?" and just carry on thinking about what you will cook for dinner or if violet really is a good hair colour for a 60-year-old.
Just think, you are saving the government money on mental health services.
Just whack an extra 10 per cent on the bill. When the customers ask, explain the charge is for the counselling session.
With a bit of luck, your customers could claim it on Medicare.
