Woman chastises friend for getting nails done at newly opened salon, protesting when there's no friends and family discount: 'It's $12 cheaper than my normal salon'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Sep 12, 2026 12:00 PM EDT

Is a small business owner always going to be obliged to offer their friends and family a discount on their services?

No doubt about it, making the decision to run your own business is usually a tough one. It requires a person to be incredibly dedicated to what they do, and usually to accept a significant period of struggling to turn a profit before the business in question actually manages to make some real money. It is no wonder so many prefer to be an employee, despite its numerous downsides.

When we are close to somebody who is starting a business, it is prudent to expect that they are going to be having a hard time for a while. It may be a passion project, but that doesn't automatically make it easy. Still, there are many ways to be a good friend and support somebody who is facing the challenges of entrepreneurship; we can be a shoulder to cry on, and perhaps even more importantly, we can offer them our custom. More than anything, a new business needs some exposure, and for people to be paying real money for whatever it is that they are offering. That is how it works.

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  • A nail technician files the nails of a client with a shelf of nail polish in the background.
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    A nail technician files the nails of a client with a shelf of nail polish in the background. Recreated scenario included to enhance reader understanding.  
     

  • A woman and her friend decided to get their nails done at a salon that had recently been set up by their mutual friend. They were appreciative of the work that was done, but when they needed to pay, the friend protested that they were not getting a friends and family discount.

    The salon owner felt awkward and tried to offer one, but the woman insisted that this was inappropriate and that they should be giving her their full financial support at this time. However, she wasn't sure if she had taken things too far in her insistence that they should pay full price.

  • Am I wrong for saying no discount for friends?

    My friend S (43F) just started her on nail salon business - in a building with a fancy sign, 4 employees & everything, so fking happy for her!! Naturally I told all everyone to use her, also they do excellent work. Well a friend & I went to S to get our nails done, again fabulous work & everyone is happy.
    via Just_Asking21
  • Time to pay - S thanks us profusely, gives total. Friend (serious) - what no friends/family discount? Me (light hearted) - we should actually pay more since we're friends & want her business to thrive
    via Just_Asking21
  • It got awkward cuz friend was serious. S offered us a discount and I told my friend no, don't be an a it's the same price you'd pay anywhere else (actually its $12 cheaper than my normal salon)
    via Just_Asking21

  • The woman stuck to her morals.

    After leaving my friend was pissy at me. and I doubled down telling her fine, go give money to a stranger cuz your friend won't do your nails at a monetary loss. I didn't say it like that, but it was the gist.
    via Just_Asking21
  • AITAH for expecting no discounts at least until her business is thriving, she's only been open a couple months and I want the best for her. While this friend handled it with grace, some may not and I don't want to embarrass anyone To clarify, no friendships were destroyed over this. Friend got a little pissy, teased over lunch that I've got the bill since I denied her discount and that was it.
    via Just_Asking21
  • Close-up of a nail technician inspecting the hands of a client with nail color samples beside them.
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Close-up of a nail technician inspecting the hands of a client with nail color samples beside them. Photo is a representation of scenes.
     

  • She was only being supportive.

    Dranask You're my sort of friend. NTA
    via Dranask
  • JDTrakal In my book true friends shouldn't ask for the friends and family discount as they should want the persons business to succeed. NTA
    via JDTrakal
  • Pretend_Spring_4453 This one is easy. NTA. You should absolutely be supporting your friends in their new business and asking for a discount is ride.
    via Pretend_Spring_4453

  • It was important to be a model customer.

    Lavinia-Whateley If a friend or family member starts their own business I refuse discounts and will often overpay if possible. They are my FRIENDS and I want them to succeed.
    via Lavinia-Whateley
  • Maybe later, if their business takes off and they are rolling in money, maybe then I would ask for a discount but that's never happened yet so I don't really know if I would do it then.
    via Lavinia-Whateley
  • IllustratorSlow1614 NTA You're a good friend. I hope her business goes from strength to strength.
    via IllustratorSlow1614

  • The friend was a cheapskate.

    BeardofPants She can't be that hard up if she's getting her nails done. Why does she want to save a few dollars at your friends cost? NTA
    via BeardofPants
  • RandomSupDevGuy NTA - Discount for friends yes BUT ONLY after business is fully established. As you said "we should actually pay more since. we're friends & want her business to thrive", if you are asking for discounts at the started it is like you actually are taking advantage of your friend and wanting the business to fail.
    via RandomSupDevGuy
  • blondechcky NTA. You're a good friend. Friends want to support their friends businesses especially when they're new. Asking for a discount anywhere is tacky.
    via blondechcky

  • A discount should be at a business owner's discretion.

    lolly1128 Why are people such cheapskates? A friends and family discount is something the service person offers, not something a customer demands. ΝΤΑ
    via lolly1128
  • No_Following_2017 You are absolutely in the right. You went there to help your friend and the best way for now is to pay full price. Your friend is the AH.
    via No_Following_2017

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