Asking why in front of the mirror
The employee in charge of the new salon location moved the chairs and kept the explanation brief. The reflection in the mirror stiffened first.
On the day the new salon changed how it operated, designer Yujin found her ideas being brushed aside. Baekho looks with her at how explaining the reason behind a decision can change the conversation that follows.
Yujin is a designer at a salon. She sees the director rearrange the chairs in front of the mirror without explaining why. As customers line up and a coworker asks why, the director only says, “It’s for better flow.” Yujin brings up that moment in a counseling session, and Baekho shows her how to explain the reason for a decision in one sentence. Yujin stays in front of the mirror, still unsure how those words would sound coming from her.
When it’s hard to hear the reason behind a decision
Asking why doesn’t always mean you’re challenging the decision. Knowing what’s changing can make it easier to choose what to say next.
What decision at work did you wish you’d heard more about?
The chairs were moved in front of the mirror, and the moment the explanation ended with “It’s for better flow” stayed with Yujin. She thinks that even a brief explanation can help someone see more clearly where to begin their next words. If you’ve been through something similar, you can tell me about that day, too. We can look at it together, one moment at a time.
Scenes
- 01 · The chair in front of the mirror The afternoon the chair was moved — At four in the afternoon, the director moves the swivel chair in front of the mirror over by one space. A customer stops just before sitting down. Director: Starting today, we’ll arrange the chairs like this.
- 02 · A brief reply For better flow — When the customer asks about the chair’s position, the director replies, “It’s for better flow.” Yujin watches the two of them in the mirror. Guest: Why did you move the chair? Director: It’s for better flow.
- 03 · When she brought it up That reply — In the counseling room, Yujin brings up how the director moved the chairs and only said, “It’s for better flow.” Yujin: I wish I’d heard just one more word about why. Baekho: Yujin, when you hear the reason behind a decision, it’s easier to know what to say next. I often see a conversation keep going when someone adds the reason in one sentence.
- 04 · Words left in the mirror Before the next words — After the director moves the chair and briefly explains why, Yujin stands in front of the mirror and opens her mouth to speak. Yujin: Could you tell me a little more about what you’re hoping to change, Director? Director: It’s to keep people from bumping into each other as they come and go.
Stories by Baekho
- Baekho
- Once I’ve put my child to bed, everything I need to do tomorrow comes rushing to mind.
- On the first night after the move, Mom objected.
- When the meeting ends, “I’m fine” is the first thing I say.
- I want to say how it was, not just “It was totally fine.”
- After the holiday, I count what I’ll earn after quitting at the table.
- Even on a night away alone, I keep thinking about my team member’s performance.
- They say it’s a joke, but even after the funeral, I can’t just let it go.
- It was true, but I’ve been trying to take it back all morning.