Nail Salons: Model Minorities

Nail salons have become a ubiquitous part of American life so much so that it goes unnoticed. Both immigrants are marginalized but the Asians were seen as the model minority in contrast to the South American and yellow peril. Schaefer defines’ Model Minority as “the minority that has experienced prejudice and discrimination, but they seem to have succeeded economically, socially, and educationally without resorting to a political or violent confrontation with whites” (Schaefer 192). Immigrants women get stuck in the beauty business because of the lack of employment available to them. Therefore, they have no choice but to work in nail salons. Asians dominate the nail salons business. They are considered honorary whites which no problem to them

Russian immigrants are also involved in the nail salons business but they do not have the connection that the Asians have to dominate the business. Immigrants in the nail salons business must learn to speak English because it creates a sense of understanding and acceptance by Upper-class whites. They have to learn to communicate in English because it makes Upper White class happy, and they do not talk about their immigration. It’s not easy for Asian to assimilate except for Russian immigrant because of the language and culture barrier. Customers have an expectation of service interactions, and that why assimilation is necessary for immigrants to successfully run a business in another country. Assimilation is a problem that immigrants face because they need the skills in order for life to be easier for them. In the nail salons, customer prefer assimilation and appropriate because it makes it easier to