Nail salons tend to have a bad reputation in multiple ways. Whether it be harsh working conditions for undocumented persons, unsanitary tools, fungus, germs - you name it. However, after working at a nail salon as a receptionist for almost half a year in a small suburb of Chicago, I not only learned a lot, but I also became aware of my own privilege.

First thing is first, the nail salon I worked at was a professionally run, legitimate business - no scams, no under-the-table money stuff, no dirty, unwashed tools, and not a worker in sight who did not genuinely care about their customers.

Growing up, going to the nail salon was only for special occasions: going on vacation, school dance, wedding, and so on. When I was first hired as a receptionist, this was my understanding of what a nail salon was for - a service for only special occasions.

After working there for about month, I began to realize that there are people out there who regularly go to the nail salon like clockwork. Then there were people like me, who only went for special occasions. There is something about a nail salon where you get to learn so much about different walks of lives - upper class, middle class, lower-class, all who work different jobs or those who don't even work at all.

But no matter who was walking through that door, every worker worked their butt-off to make each client's experience a good one. Whether it was changing the nail polish color for the fifth time to make sure that shade is just right, to simply engaging in meaningful conversation to make their client feel heard - they did it all. And just like everyone else who works in customer service, a lot of the times these workers will give it all that they got no matter what was happening in their own personal lives.

These men and women had children back at home who each had their own dreams and aspirations. Dreams that their parents working at the salon had, but did not have the chance to chase them themselves. Every day, I got to see parents work their butt off so that their child can carry out their dreams. Re-doing the nail art design for the sixth time to get a good tip so that they can stock it away towards their child's college fund. Putting up with client's petty requests and demands to create a good relationship with that client so that they may send their own friends to them so that they can get another client.

Now, I did not have an easy life growing up, at times finances were difficult for both of my parents. But they always made a way out and through that, I have had many blessings and opportunities throughout my life due to my socio-economic status. I never got to see how hard my parents had to work to get me to where I am now, but I got to witness it vicariously through my co-workers at the Nail Salon.

Seeing these moms and dads work ever so diligently, gave me a new found respect and thankfulness for my own parents. Though I was young when finances were tight, I know both of my parents worked their butts off to provide my brothers and I a blessed life that I never learned to truly appreciate it in my heart until I worked there.

So, next time you walk into a nail salon, don't just treat the workers as a servant to you. Ask them about their lives, their kids, their story. You may just learn something valuable and realize just how much your tip really does assist them.