Ukrainian Woman Outraged After Russian Stylist Cuts Her Hair in Warsaw Salon. Turns out the Stylist is Belarusian
A Ukrainian woman complained on Threads that in a Warsaw beauty salon, which she believed to be Ukrainian, she was served by a stylist she mistook for a Russian. The client was outraged that the hairdresser did not speak Ukrainian with her and that information about her training in Russia was found on her Instagram.
The post garnered over 350,000 views and about 1,200 comments. Users pointed out that the stylist might be Belarusian. Most contacted the salon, where they confirmed: the girl is indeed from Belarus, and employees are not forced to speak a specific language.
“I want to support Ukrainians abroad”
The story began with a post by Threads user valerii_7_. She said that she had repeatedly visited the Pied-de-poule beauty salon in Warsaw. Previously, the woman used the services of the establishment in the Wilanów district and was satisfied with the service.
On October 24, she booked a haircut at another branch of the salon at Piękna 49. According to the client, the booking was made in Ukrainian, and the administrator communicated with visitors in Ukrainian, Polish, or Russian — depending on the client.
However, during the haircut, the woman noticed that the stylist hardly spoke Ukrainian with her.
— I spoke in Ukrainian, and in response, I mostly heard 'uh-huh'. During the entire procedure — literally a few phrases in Russian," the client wrote.
After visiting the salon, she decided to find the hairdresser's Instagram page. There, the woman discovered information that outraged her. According to the author of the post, in 2022, the stylist underwent hairdressing training in Russia. As confirmation, she published screenshots, including a diploma with the specialist's name and date.
— I'm going to a Ukrainian salon. I want to support Ukrainians abroad," the woman explained.
She also publicly addressed the salon representatives with a question of whether they consider it normal not to warn clients about the origin of employees.
In the comments, it was stated that the hairdresser is Belarusian
The post sparked an active discussion. Some users supported the Ukrainian woman, noting that they understood her reluctance to use the services of Russians amid the ongoing war. However, other commentators pointed out that one cannot judge a person by their passport and that many Russians do not support the war. Additionally, the author was alerted to a possible mistake: according to them, the hairdresser is not Russian at all, but Belarusian.
— She's Belarusian. There's literally a Belarusian flag in her profile," wrote one user.
Another participant in the discussion also pointed out that there is a photo with Belarusian geolocation on the specialist's page and that the stylist does not necessarily share the position of the Russian authorities regarding the war against Ukraine.
A discussion unfolded in the comments about whether clients have the right to demand service from employees of a specific nationality. Some users supported the Ukrainian woman's position. They believe that an establishment that positions itself as Ukrainian should take into account clients' attitudes towards Russia and warn them about the origin of employees.
Other participants in the discussion opposed such an approach.
— Even if a salon positions itself as Ukrainian, it doesn't automatically mean that every one of its employees must be Ukrainian," wrote one user.
Another participant in the discussion, who introduced herself as Belarusian, said that she works with Ukrainians who communicate with her in Ukrainian, and she responds to them in Russian. According to her, this does not prevent colleagues from understanding each other.
Another Ukrainian woman defended Russians and Belarusians
The story provoked a reaction not only in the comments to the original post. Another Threads user, no.more.8, published a separate post in which she spoke out against the bullying of Russians and Belarusians who do not support the war and authoritarian regimes.
— What I saw on Threads today deeply saddened me. I want people fleeing regimes to know that they are supported," the woman wrote.
According to her, she also tried to express her position in the discussion, but the author of the original post blocked her.
— Russians and Belarusians who disagree with the war and the regime, who flee their countries for a different life, who live by law and order, should not face hatred, persecution, and bullying," the user believes.
What the salon said
Most contacted a representative of the Pied-de-poule beauty salon in Warsaw, where the hairdresser at the center of the discussion works. The establishment confirmed that the girl is indeed Belarusian.
A salon representative explained that people of various nationalities live in Warsaw, so the establishment employs staff from different countries, including Belarus. There are no requirements to communicate with clients exclusively in Ukrainian.
— They speak the language they are comfortable with, which everyone understands. In general, unfortunately, yes, everyone understands Russian, including Belarusians. Therefore, most speak that way. And I cannot say that anyone owes anything to anyone," the salon representative replied to the question of whether Belarusian hairdressers are obliged to speak Ukrainian with Ukrainian clients.
Most also inquired about how the Belarusian woman feels after numerous posts and comments on Threads.
— Yes, everything is absolutely fine. What's on Threads stays on Threads. As far as I know, we have no problems," the interlocutor assured.
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