They Picked the Wrong Day to Try Me

They Picked the Wrong Day to Try Me

Today reminded me of something I already know too well: some people underestimate me because I’m Deaf.

Just because I don’t always speak up when I walk into a place doesn’t mean I’m slow. It doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention. And it definitely doesn’t mean I can’t tell when something isn’t mathing.

Sometimes I take my boys to Barberz Inc., but usually it’s more of our last resort when the other

barbershops aren’t available. When we do go there, I normally try to take them early in the morning before it gets packed.

Unfortunately, I worked early today, so I told my boys I would take them after I got off work.

I called through relay and made an appointment. I asked for something after 2:00 PM, and they told me to come at 4:00 PM.

We showed up about ten minutes early.

When I walked in, somebody was already in the chair and it looked like the barber was just getting started. I looked at the time and thought, ain’t no way he’s finishing that haircut by 4:00.

Then the barber walked over to my boys and had them interpret to me that there was still one more person after the client already in the chair.

Nah.

That didn’t make sense to me. I made an appointment for a reason. I wasn’t about to sit around waiting who knows how long, especially after getting off work on my Saturday. I had already picked up an extra shift, and my boys wanted to go hoop afterward.

So I told my boys to find another barber in the shop who had cut their hair before.

They got their fresh cuts, and when it was time to pay, that’s when things got even more interesting.

I was waiting while the barber who cut one of my sons went over to check something with the other barber. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but I was paying attention.

Then my boys told me they were trying to charge me an extra $10 appointment fee.

I turned around like, What appointment fee?

I told them I wasn’t paying extra just because they told me to come at 4:00 and then expected me to sit around waiting anyway. I called and made an appointment for a reason.

They kept trying to explain it, but I wasn’t going for it.

Eventually, they removed the appointment fees and brought the total down. Then I was told it was going to be $80 — $40 each.

Again, I looked at the price list on the wall.

It said $40 for adults.

My sons are 12 years old.

The sign said 12 and under: $30.

So I said, “They’re 12.”

That changed the whole conversation again.

And this is exactly what I mean when I say people sometimes underestimate Deaf people.

Because I usually walk into that barbershop and communicate in ASL with my sons, maybe somebody assumed I wasn’t following everything going on around me.

Wrong assumption.

I watch.

I read.

I calculate.

I notice body language.

I pay attention to numbers.

And I know when something doesn’t make sense.

Being Deaf does not mean I’m unaware.

After we walked outside, I told my sons something I want them to remember:

Always handle your business. Always pay attention to what people are charging you. Don’t let anybody slick-talk you into paying for something without understanding what you’re paying for.

That lesson was bigger than a haircut.

My boys still got their fresh cuts, they still got to enjoy the rest of their day, and I walked away knowing one thing:

We definitely won’t be making Barberz Inc. our first choice.

I’ll take them back to the places I normally go.

Because today?

They definitely picked the wrong day to try me. 😂

Silence Is The Loudest Sound.