I will agree partially with HairWizard in that it does not sound like you will find your niche in the salon you are now in. I never did apply to, nor do I now believe in the strict and arrogant manners of some salon owners, but if it is their salon they should be able to do as they wish, I do agree with that whole heartedly. Unfortunately your self esteem seems to be suffering. Chukeedoll, we all take risks in our lives and careers. Keep looking, if your passion is in doing hair learn and watch. If you are a salon assistant, and taking orders from all of the stylists, well bless your heart and good luck, if you are the owner'sassistant do what he tells you to do as best you can. If he is really any good, you should be able to ask how he wants it done. If he is unable to tell you, or expects you to read his mind...move on asap, unless you are willing to be scorned, humilated and embarrassed. You can find good stylists in the mom and pop corner salon, or those that are in the high rent district. Look for the styles and ask the folks where they got their hair cut, good or bad. Small town will of course limit you, but that's what you've chosen and must live with. Start saving your money to attend shows, if money is an issue, find a part time job. I am compelled to mention that you have made a good decision to come here and vent. Don't give up your own integrity or allow anyone to make you feel inadequate. For every bad manager out ther, you'll find a dozen that are good with your interest in mind, not their self serving, controlling motivations. Prima Dona's will come and go. They have the tendency to drag others down with them. Find the down to earth folks, where their craft is as important to them as a decent wage. If you do anything for the money only I don't see any value.  Expectations of a salon owner should be to groom you for a chair and teach you the trade, not to whip you or make you feel inadequate. Your expectations should be to wash a lot of hair, towels, sweep a ton of hair up, make sure you comply with your job description and don't depend on any one to take you where you desire to go, but make your own way. Most importantly learn, if you like what you see going out of the salon, then that should be enough, don't question your ability to judge but your ability to see a good product. If you cannot go home feeling good about yourself Chukeedoll, life is going to be a drag. I wish you well and as a final note, if the stylist now working in the salon are happy, then the owner must have something going for him, so I wouldn't do anything drastic until you figure out what the other stylist find attractive about the salon.  Hair dressers are artist, so sensitive to many things, and we should be perceptive. I'm working with an assistant now that is pierced, tattooed, young and recently out of beauty school. I work in a laid back salon that has been around over 30 years in a fairly large city. We don't subcribe to wearing black and white formal wear, but a jeans, tennies type of salon. Very casual. I wish I had a nickle for every shirt and pair of slacks I've ruined, seriously. Our clients are not superstars, but landscapers, plumbers, machineist, doctors, teachers, lawyers, nurses, housekeepers, one of my favorite clients of 20+ years is a retired Juvenile Court Judge that has it all over Judge Judy, he is hilarious, I should be paying him, but...every day people, bread and butter. People living in the real world. Go to Las Vegas for the IBS show coming up, start networking, join a Cosmetology organization and keep writing to the bulletin board. Sorry for the long answer, can't help myself in that regard. (lol).

bill in az