Help! Perm-created sections

The only reason I can guess is that she thought you knew.

Lame excuse, but when someone walks in with a perm in her mind, not leaving any (apparent) room for discussion (i.e. you ask her will it work?), a lot of hairdressers unfortunately do what the client asks. Too many clients that day, trouble at home, ... all helps to 'just do what they ask'.
Personnaly, I try to keep an open mind to what can and what can't, advise people against some things. I can't put a rule on it, that's just the "eye" you have on people. But there's a big difference between what doesn't make the most of what is possible and what just doesn't work/produces bad results. In such a case, expect a 'no' from me. But that's just me - and apparently not enough are strong enough to do so.

Glad to hear you found a way to remedy the situation a bit.

Not very much I'm afraid. The permanent (the name says it) makes it stay that way. Options are: having another perm (very bad for your hair) to straighten it (very large rollers) or wait. Since hair grows approx 1.25 cm a month (slower in winter, faster in summer) in a few weeks the parting will become less and less visible.