Salon problems with a unisex name

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   One problem I often encounter when visiting new salons is related to
having a unisex name. Often the salon will just make an assumption that
I am female on the basis of my name, even after I have made the
appointment over the telephone. For the most part this can just create
an awkward moment when I arrive, but on more than one occassion it has
resulted in me being styled in a completely different part of the salon
because the stylist I had been booked in with worked in the ladies
section and not the mens (these were actually two separate areas with a
central reception and the stylist had other clients to keep an eye on
while she also worked on my hair). For this reason I try to go in, in
person now, to make appointments at new places. 

One irritant is when, even though the salon knows me, I get offers in
the mail or by email for Miss Anderson. When I've pointed this out to
them the first time, we laugh and they look sheepish and apologize and
then go into the system to fix it. In a surprising number of cases
though, I still continue to get offers for Miss Anderson. When I point
this out again, they admit that the system just overrides the sex based
on first name. 

Sometimes this can get interesting and reveals a lot about the salon.
For example, earlier this year, I got an offer for a mother-daughter
special for mothers day. My natual mom has passed away, but I figured I
could use this coupon to give my adopted mom (and Aunt) a 

treat. I needed a hair cut anyway. So I made the appointment and there
didn't seem to be a problem. But when we arrived at the salon and
presented the coupon the salon tried to get out of it saying it
couldn't apply since I was not her daughter. I showed them that the
coupon had been addressed directly to me with my name and address etc
and they had made the offer. After some haggling and the manager being
called to the front desk they agreed to honor the coupon, but I won't
be going there anymore.

Finally, sometimes the salon staff can be just plain rude about my name
or how they react to it. Of course, they don't get my business either. 

Does anyone else have problems related to their name at all?

Chelsea

(Yes, I am a guy named after the London soccer team)