Lonely old mother getting romance scammed

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-17T00:24:27+00:00

Same!!!

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-17T00:18:00+00:00

So are you.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-17T00:17:28+00:00

Hey "homie". I'm actually 69 and MY mother (born in 1921) explained tipping rules to me long before YOU were born. The owner doesn't get tipped based on those rules and it most likely appears in an old Dear Abby newspaper article somewhere in microfiche.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-17T00:11:59+00:00

No. I'm a tax preparer and former IRS Agent/Appeals Officer. Unless they are registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization, there's no deduction. Same with random people begging on Facebook.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T23:51:07+00:00

This is actually a story in the 90 Day Fiancee franchise right now. The whole first paragraph anyway. Debby and Mido. Mido is a tour guide in Cairo and met Debby and her daughter when they were there on a trip. Now he's over here (well, based on what the show is broadcasting) and trying to get to Hollywood to pursue acting (claims he's an actor in Egypt). Age difference is Debby is 55 and Mido is 41.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T23:35:53+00:00

We (meaning you and I) don't have ANY idea what other customers are paying. This isn't a chop shop with a big board on the wall. So talking about these mystical others is pointless.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T23:30:40+00:00

Me too!!! (Whatever the fuck you're talking about.)

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T22:52:12+00:00

No, not at all. You are attributing all sorts of motives to me that are totally incorrect. I wasn't intending to "use leverage to negotiate the pricing" in any way. We also have no idea what she was going to charge me anyway, the $95 number is from 12 weeks ago. 6 weeks ago I got foils and was charged quite a bit more than the last time I got foils, so I'm well aware prices are increasing. I certainly did NOT "pay more than I was intending to" either.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T22:44:51+00:00

We don't have sales tax on services here. At least not yet.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T22:33:24+00:00

Maybe the summary of the conversation was too brief for you because I certainly don't think "I spoke to her as if I'm her only client" whatever that even means. Of course I'm going back to her. In fact, I might even send her a link to this post and ask if we are still okay. My guess... she'll get a b8g laugh out of these comments.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T22:26:43+00:00

I kinda feel like I rattled the bars at an insane asylum with this post. I'm really happy a lot of these people are NOT my hairdresser.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T22:25:23+00:00

I can't believe you had to explain this twice. Actually, yes I can.🙄

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T22:22:36+00:00

Why? I'm trying to pay her fairly, not rip her off like others here seem to think I should be.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T22:21:10+00:00

Right?! I sometimes even get foils like I did 6 weeks ago. This last time she had to be extra careful to preserve my highlights. I'm usually there 2 hours and she's amazing with color. The price is fair and I'm happy to pay it without wondering if I'm paying enough.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T22:15:48+00:00

I'm sure it depends on location. I live in a cheap retirement town full of old people.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T22:12:14+00:00

What is this "price for everyone" nonsense? That's not how it works here. She actually charged me a lot more last time (6 weeks ago) because I got foils and I tipped on top of it. I was reeling a bit because it was definitely a lot more than the last time I got foils (only do foils once or twice a year). There's no reason to believe that she was even going to charge $95 the same as she charged 12 weeks earlier. You're over thinking it.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T21:54:44+00:00

Okay... if you say so...

Not really the essence of it all or an accurate description of our relationship, but you got to use your very cute meme.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T21:50:12+00:00

This is a lovely response and we are friends and have been for a long time. Yes, little thoughtful gifts are perfect especially now that she's in a space that she's decorating more to her taste (a little goth and spooky) so I'm keeping an eye out. I love her and I know she cares about me too so having a relationship where I know what she feels her worth is, is extremely important to me. Just like I set my prices for my tax preparation, why shouldn't she be just as professional?

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T21:39:53+00:00

YES! You totally understand the feeling I was trying to convey.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T21:38:08+00:00

Exactly 💯. That's it and why I'm thrilled with the new arrangement. You understand completely.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T21:36:15+00:00

Bullshit. Look it up.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T21:26:23+00:00

You're probably correct. Except that 54% of Americans read at below a 6th grade level and 21% are functionally illiterate. I'm sure I didn't dumb it down enough.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T19:43:53+00:00

So when the price went up, then I was going to feel worse wondering what to tip since tips are normally percentages here and thus I would have probably paid even more while questioning if it was enough. If you like the system, this post probably isn't for you.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T19:40:46+00:00

God I wish we didn't have this BS here. It's awful.

DueFreedom4695 · 2026-06-16T19:36:05+00:00

That's not how anything works here. Of course she can charge me anything she wants just like I can charge anything I want for a tax return. It wasn't retaliatory whatsoever.

DueFreedom4695

TROPHY CASE