I have had this happen to me several times. And honestly, running down my previous hairdresser does not make you look better. The last time someone did it to me it was actually her sister who had done my hair because my stylist was not available and recommended her sister to me.
This also sometimes happens when beauty consultants in a department store jump out at you trying to shill their products. Lady you are not going to get anywhere with me by running down the products I currently use and telling me how old my skin looks.
Similar can happen if someone comes to do work in your home.
Admittedly, sometimes people do make mistakes, or are just not good. But every single previous person cannot be awful.
This is really not nice… Hairdressers are a strange crowd. I have avoided them for many years because I managed to take care of my hair myself, which meant colouring and cutting it myself. This summer, I came to a point where I had done a bit of a shoddy work with my haircut and I decided to bite the bullet and visit a hairdresser. I went to my husband’s hairdresser for the first time. I started apologizing profusely for the bad job I had done that she would have to correct and she told me to not even think about it, that it was not a problem and that she would take care of it (and she did, very nicely too!). Even though I don’t need to visit the hairdresser much, I will stop cutting my own hair and go to her. She was so positive that she won me over!
I have never run anyone down, it’s much better to give praise (wow you have fabulous hair, did you just get it done?) rather than stating the reverse. I love it when someone gives me a service, and it was performed well, so I give them a huge tip afterwards (pedicure, manicure, massage, taxi driver who goes the extra mile to help with my shopping). Here in the UK tips aren’t always given but are always appreciated by those working for themselves. I also make a point of saying something nice as I hand over the tip, giving praise to someone for doing their job is often all that is needed to brighten up their humdrum same old same old day.
I completely relate to your experience! It’s frustrating when people try to undermine others to make themselves look better. it’s hard to believe that every previous service provider could be terrible. Let’s celebrate each other’s talents instead of tearing each other down!
You are so right. You should not have to put others’ work down to make your own seem better. It always makes me feel they are unprofessional.