Chatty? or Not Chatty?

This may be silly- but it's something I sometimes worry about- I'm not an overly "chatty" person... I often draw blanks about what to ask or how to best initiate a new conversation, particularly if the other person isn't especially chatty either!

For those of you who have been doing this a while... that aren't naturally chatty yourselves... what have you found to be the primary response to amiable quiet? haha Do people seem to enjoy just relaxing while you take care of them (obviously for facials and relaxation treatments you are trying to help them relax- not jabber their heads off!)?

Just curious..... I don't want NOT being very chatty to be a "turn off" to clients.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie A Wilson on August 12, 2011 at 4:56pm

I to am not so good at initializing conversation either. What I find with clients is during skin analysis when I am addressing their concerns, the client will answer questions straight forward and go back to relaxing or all of a sudden they just start talking. If they start talking I just listen. Sometimes a conversation just starts right up after that because there is a common ground. If what they talk about I don't have anything to say I just listen unless they ask a question, then of course I answer it. I think clients will stay with you if they enjoy your service and find a common ground. Clients kind of see us as a friend. We take care of them.

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Permalink Reply by Teressa La Roche on August 17, 2011 at 11:21am

I do not have a problem talking and having conversation but in my facial room it is quiet and I had some clients that loved to talk and I told them this is time for so relaxation, and quiet and do not worry about nothing time.

This is their time of nothing and relaxing...... I tell them if they want to talk a little and after the treatment.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on August 17, 2011 at 11:04pm

LOL Gina!

I was a massage therapist long before I was an esthetician.

I am not very outgoing at all.

The good thing is that you will just be a good listener! Everybody loves someone that listens to them.

You don't have to talk all the time anyway -

Have a good intake form, a lot of conversation starts from that.

I do have a couple of open-ended lines I use...for example...

massage - "how is your body doing?"

For skincare - (new person) "tell me about your skin". They always have something to say.

The only time I really notice not being "chatty" is when I am waxing. I am usually concentrating more than chatting. I don't know if clients notice that or not. :)

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Permalink Reply by J.L. on August 24, 2011 at 10:53am

If you feel comfortable in the silence, they will too.

I think we all have some clients where conversation comes easily and others where it doesn't. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Teressa La Roche on August 25, 2011 at 3:44am

I agree with you this is time for quiet and relaxation. I tell my clients afterward if they want to talk a little or discussed products fine. The other avenue is that being quiet and the client is quiet and relaxing. I had many clients fall a sleep while I was doing a facial.