Ever been the victim of nail salon discrimination? No?
Because Norris Sydnor III of Maryland claims he was, and now he wants $200,000.
Filed against Rich's Nail Salon in Landover, and set to go to trial next month, the lawsuit claims that being forced to pay $1 more than a woman for a manicure was emotionally distressing.
And illegal.
Norris Sydnor III claims that he was humiliated after having to pay $10 for a basic manicure, despite the fact that he skipped the polish, reports the Daily News.
Rich's Nail Salon only charges women $9.
He wants $100,000 in compensatory damages and $100,000 in punitives to "punish them for what they've done," according to the paper.
If you're trying to figure out how $1 can be humiliating--especially since women ordinarily pay more for beauty services--you're not alone.
Though technically charging men and women different prices without a valid business reason is illegal under federal and state discrimination laws, this nail discrimination lawsuit is not going to sit well with a jury.
Yes, Sydnor has requested a jury trial.
Whether Rich's Nail Salon has a valid reason to charge more for male manicures is unknown, but even so, $1 and a bizarre sense of humiliation is not something you want to bring in front of a jury.
Particularly with cases that are so disproportionate ($1 vs. $200,000), plaintiffs need to be sure that there will be enough juror outrage to award a large sum of money.
Plaintiffs also need to be careful about their attorney's potentially questionable personal history with their cause.
According to legal news site Above the Law, Jimmy Bell, attorney for Norris Sydnor III, filed his own nail salon discrimination suit against Rich's in 2009.
Related Resources:
- Man Charged More Than Women At Nail Salon Sues For Discrimination (WUSA-TV)
- Gender Discrimination (FindLaw)
- Federal Court Says 'Ladies Nights' are Legal (FindLaw's Decided)
