Everyone in the world deals with some form of social anxiety and women in salons are just one example.
Are you someone who hesitates to tell the waiter that the food is half-cooked in a restaurant or to ask a cashier for help in a store? If yes, you are not alone. It looks like, this anxious behavior is more prevalent than we think. One of the best examples can be seen in salons where customers are unsure if they should express their dissatisfaction. Earlier this July, lifestyle content writer, Theresa Rowley—who goes by @littledrownedrat on TikTok—shared the story of a daring woman she met during a salon visit. The woman didn't think twice before asking for a change of pedicure color leaving the internet in awe.
Rowley talked about the "craziest thing" that happened when she was getting her nails done. "The girl sitting next to me, after the guy did one of her toes, said, 'I'm so sorry, sir. I actually don't care for that color. Do you mind if we switch?'" Rowley explained. She was dumbfounded on witnessing this and her silence for a few seconds showed that she was still in disbelief over what she heard. Someone stood up to the salon worker and even pointed out their dissatisfaction, unlike most customers who say, "Thank you," and leave with disappointment. The woman's behavior impressed Rowley so much that she said, "I would follow her into battle," and fondly nicknamed her "Nailpoleon Bonaparte."
Not only Rowley but many other TikTok users showered their appreciation for the "brave" woman and the video garnered nearly 3 million views. "Currently living with neon orange when I wanted a cool summer coral color. She’s my idol," said @amber.harvalson19. "The gumption! I would have silently sat and hated my toes for the next 4 weeks," pointed out @sprucewoodboys. "I’m sorry, there’s an option other than sitting there with crippling anxiety, regret, and borderline panic and we’re just hearing about it now?" quipped @madecorista. "I used to do pedicures and I would ask my clients if they still liked the color after painting the first nail. The shock of how many tipped better just for that reason!" chimed in @skane26.
Unlike the aforementioned nail salon customers, many people struggle to speak up even when they deserve better service. Turns out, this social anxiety has impacted nearly 15 million adults in the USA which amounts to 7.1% of the country's population, as per the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Though it may seem like a common behavior, it may as well require a therapist's help when it trumps those suffering from being unable to communicate normally. There have been more examples of how social anxiety hinders people's lives even when doing basic stuff like ordering food.
A man named Freddie—who goes by @petobsessed777 on TikTok—gave a glimpse of how a person with severe social anxiety issues would order food and it couldn't be more relevant. While sitting in his car at a drive-thru, Freddie seemed to have come fully prepared on what to say while ordering the food. After giving the answers he prepared, based on his prediction of the conversation with the fast food restaurant worker, Freddie had another problem. He didn't prepare enough for what he would say while picking up. In the end, his social anxiety took over and the man simply drove away without collecting his order.
You can follow Theresa Rowley (@littledrownedrat) on TikTiok for more lifestyle content.