Ele Ludemann: How many other stupid regulations?

Who knew it was illegal to serve drinks in a hair salon, or at least in the same part of the salon as the hair is being cut?

That’s not just alcohol, which would require a license, it’s tea and coffee, and maybe even water, too.

Every time I get my hair cut I’m offered a drink, I doubt that those offering it realise they are in breach of this regulation.

Thankfully, East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick is coming to the rescue with a members’ bill to overturn the ban.

What sort of bureaucratic numpty thought up this, enshrined in the Health (hairdressing regulations 1980:

. . . 1)No person shall serve refreshments to any customer in any part of the service area where hair is being cut. . .

The same regulations prohibit dogs on the premises.

Not every one would be comfortable with a dog in a salon, but shouldn’t whether or not dogs are allowed be there be up to those running the business, their staff and customers?

Requiring the cups, mugs and glasses in which drinks are served to be cleaned properly is fine, prohibiting the drinks at all is bureaucratic overreach.

I wonder how many other petty and unnecessary rules are in place and how many people are unwittingly in breach of them?

Ele Ludemann is a North Otago farmer and journalist, who blogs HERE - where this article was sourced.