Curiosity got the best of me and I wondered why so many nail salons are Asian run so I did a little surface digging.
Prior to the 80s nail salons were few and far between and expensive. Manicurists were few and far between and were generally used by movie stars and big shot executives.
In 1975 there was a Vietnamese refugee camp it California and for some reason Tippi Hedren actress of 'The Birds' fame visited it. Tippi was somewhat of an activist of the type we could probably use a few more of. She was involved in the plight of certain African animals and set up relief programs post natural disaster.
During her visit to the refugee came a number of women were admiring her nails and she got a brainstorm. She realized that many of these people could easily become nail technicians. The cost of the tools needed was fairly low, the language barrier could be overcome over time and that if the number of technicians grew it would likely make manicures more affordable to the non movie star public.
She had her manicurist start teaching some of the Vietnamese woman and the whole thing took off. Today 80% of the nail salons in California are Vietnamese run and nationwide it's about 50%.
My relationship with a nail salon began a few months ago as an old man. My shipmate had recommended getting a pedicure after a tour as a treat. Of course I balked. As long as Revlon made nail clippers I was good to go. I would take care of my own feet.
A couple of months ago I woke up somewhat sore and stiff and realizes that my toenails were probably getting ready to slice up my bedding. When I was up I looked at my feet and decided that maybe a trip to some kind of blacksmith was in order because trying to be a contortionist was not any fun anymore.
Then I recalled my shipmate and decided that at the ripe old age of 74 that a trip to the salon for a pedicure was in order and off I went.
My shipmate was 100% correct. I should have done this after every tour. It's affordable. I could have easily bounced for a pedicure after every tour and in retirement I can still afford it although I'll reserve it for every couple of months when the toenails get too long.
Beats going to the blacksmith.
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