The Immigrant Experience
Technicians at the salon were asked about what it was like to be a Vietnamese immigrant in the manicuring industry. These are their stories:
*Stories have been edited for clarity
Name: Kiet
Number of Years Working: 2
Specialties of Service: Shellac Manicures
Story: Two years ago I moved to America, and I began learning English and going to school while I worked at the nail salon. I only go to night classes because I work all day, so I always look for opportunities to practice English in the salon. Sometimes I go in the back and watch Youtube videos in English. I like talking to the customers too. One of my favorite ways I practice English is when people bring in books and magazines. I read over their shoulders as I give them their massage and then look up the definition of words I read that I don't know the meaning of. It helps to make time go faster too while I'm bored giving a massage.
Number of Years Working: 2
Specialties of Service: Shellac Manicures
Story: Two years ago I moved to America, and I began learning English and going to school while I worked at the nail salon. I only go to night classes because I work all day, so I always look for opportunities to practice English in the salon. Sometimes I go in the back and watch Youtube videos in English. I like talking to the customers too. One of my favorite ways I practice English is when people bring in books and magazines. I read over their shoulders as I give them their massage and then look up the definition of words I read that I don't know the meaning of. It helps to make time go faster too while I'm bored giving a massage.
Name: Tiffany
Number of Years Working: 5 Specialties of Service: Full Set/Acrylic Gel/Dipping Powder Story: I like to learn English when I'm at the salon and CC helps me when I ask her questions. We have paper slips we use to tell CC the price of the service, but instead I write down English grammar in between my time with customers and I ask CC questions and to help me with spelling. |
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Name: Nina
Number of Years Working: 6
Specialties of Service: Shellac Manicure
Story: I can't speak English very well so I ask Kiet to call the bank for me if I have a question about my charges. I I just had a baby so I get very busy and it helps to have Kiet talk in English for me when I have to fix something.
Number of Years Working: 6
Specialties of Service: Shellac Manicure
Story: I can't speak English very well so I ask Kiet to call the bank for me if I have a question about my charges. I I just had a baby so I get very busy and it helps to have Kiet talk in English for me when I have to fix something.
Name: CC
Number of Years Working: 3
Specialties of Service: Receptionist
Story: A woman called me at the salon upset about how the workers had lost her toe ring. She began to accuse a technician of trying to pay more for our services. I told her it was most likely the lack of understanding, as English is not her first language. She began to yell: "she should speak English she's in America now. Maybe you should be teaching them English." She hung up, and we never found her toe ring.
Number of Years Working: 3
Specialties of Service: Receptionist
Story: A woman called me at the salon upset about how the workers had lost her toe ring. She began to accuse a technician of trying to pay more for our services. I told her it was most likely the lack of understanding, as English is not her first language. She began to yell: "she should speak English she's in America now. Maybe you should be teaching them English." She hung up, and we never found her toe ring.