February 9, 2025 at 5:22 am

Nail Tech Struggles With Bills And Health Issues, So She Asks Clients For Money And Loses A Customer

by Diana Whelan

Source: Rddit/AITA/Pexels/RDNE Stock project

What starts as a regular trip to the nail salon quickly turns into a financial dilemma for this customer.

After just a few appointments with a talented manicurist facing serious health issues, things got awkward when the nail tech began asking clients for personal loans.

Read on for the story.

AITA for cancelling my appointment at the nail salon?

I (30f) found a good manicurist (Nina, fake name) a few months ago.

I’ve been to her salon 4-5 times.

Sadly, the Nina (40f) has Multiple sclerosis and EBV and she needs stem cells transplantation.

She is planning on opening a charity fund, because she cannot afford to pay for that – 50k.

This is all very sad and I wanted to help her once fund is set up, of course.

The thing is, the last time I went to the salon, Nina asked me to give her money ($50) because she couldn’t pay her bills.

I of course sent her the money, I felt really bad for her and didn’t hesitated for a second.

Nothing says “relaxing salon experience” like a surprise GoFundMe request at checkout.

BUT. Almost a week after, she called me and asked for ($300) because apparently she has mistaken an amount of the bill for which I sent her the $50 in the first place.

I couldn’t send her that much money and offered to give her $50 again and she said “Okay.”

I felt weird because I’ve been to the salon a few times, we’re not friends or anything and I don’t think is okay to call your clients and ask for money.

She also called a friend (30f) of mine, who went to Nina’s salon as well and Nina asked her for $300 too.

After that I cancelled my appointment and went to a new nail salon.

(Keep in mind, I’ve been at her salon just 5 times!).

The manicurist called me to ask what’s wrong and I said that it’s not okay for me to be asked for money (twice) and I understand that she’s in a difficult situation, but that’s not the way to earn money.

She said I’m an a****** and I can afford to help her and I’m insensitive.

Also I want to mention that at the moment there is no charity fund and I would’ve help with donations once it’s set up.

Am I wrong?

Reddit has opinions…and thinks she was fine to just enforce this boundary.

This person says she was totally in the right.

Source: Reddit/AITA

This person says it’s absolutely not her concern.

Source: Reddit/AITA

And this person says this is wildly unprofessional…in no way is she the AH.

Source: Reddit/AITA

From polish to panhandling—this nail tech’s hustle left her client filing for a new salon.

I would have been so uncomfortable!

If you thought that was an interesting story, check this one out about a man who created a points system for his inheritance, and a family friend ends up getting almost all of it.

Diana Whelan | Contributing Writer, Life & Drama

Diana Whelan is a contributing writer for TwistedSifter specializing in family dynamics, viral internet culture, and interpersonal relationships. Drawing on her extensive professional background as a senior copywriter in the digital marketing space, Diana excels at transforming community-driven conversations and trending social media debates into relatable, highly engaging narratives.

Rather than simply aggregating online drama, Diana brings a balanced, humorous, and empathetic editorial voice to everyday dilemmas and parenting moments. She has a keen eye for finding the human element at the center of complex relationship conflicts and viral social trends.

Outside of writing, Diana is usually spending time with her husband and two kids, planning elaborate themed parties, or chasing down new family adventures. Fueled by a little too much caffeine and a love for a well-placed pun, she can often be found unwinding with a glass of wine and her very patient golden retriever.

Connect with Diana on LinkedIn and Instagram.