New Cut, New Woman

By: Lynette Perez

October 30, 2010 marked the date of a new, friendly ambiance at Shortstop Diner on 242 and Broadway. The 24 hour diner, moreover, the hub of campus has been run by waitress, Tina Lee for over twenty years. Her mundane night job as a waitress/babysitter had her cranky and upset, but a much needed physical change has turned her attitude around.

That night, Shortstop was buzzing-- busier than anyone has ever seen it before. Sophomore Caroline Mann thinks it was due to Tina’s new haircut.

“Her hair was always so severe. it was pulled back, she was uptight and rocking an olga bun. But she cut it all off-- no longer are the days of an uptight atmosphere at shortstop,” said sophomore, Adrienne Hughes about Tina’s new do.

Her hair, originally slicked back into a tight bun atop her head now falls lightly around her face, not nearing her shoulders.

When asking the 5’6” brown eyed belle why she decided to cut all of her hair off, she had me follow her into her office (the doorway of Shortstop), and between puffs of a Marlboro Light 100, Tina said “I needed a change... I had enough of getting headaches.”

Once the tobacco was smoked to the filter, Tina had enough of a break and got back to work. Her gold chains and heart shaped earrings shone in the light and accentuated the rose tattoo on her left breast.

Seated next to me were sophomores and regular Shortstop diners, Anthony Liota and PJ Tranchese. Liota remarked “she seems younger and happier,” while Tranchese said “it’s very nice... very flattering.” 

It seems as though the young freshmen seated in the front of the room had a different opinion, though. When asked about Tina’s new cut and disposition, Maria Toscano said “who’s Tina?” after explaining to the rookie diner, she remarked “oh, she wasn’t too happy [when she took our order].” When asking her if she had noticed the new do, the freshman said “oh, yeah, it looks good.”

After making a fresh pot of coffee with her shoulders back and her head held high, Tina turned back around for another cigarette break.

Regarding the students’ reaction to her haircut, Tina said “They all love it... I think they’re more shocked than anything.” More importantly, though, when asked if she felt like a new woman, Tina remarked “No, I’m still Tina the bitch.”

According to Dr. Zella Moore, assistant professor of psychology at Manhattan College, “getting a haircut can definitely change an emotional state... If it comes out good, you’re going to feel confident, secure and on top of your game. A change in appearance can change your confidence and can impact your life in many different domains.”

This statement seems to ring true for Shortstop’s star employee.

Although Tina’s attempt at keeping a rough exterior is a good one, her pose with one hand on her hip and the other behind her head saying ‘superstar’ while I took her picture had me thinking she’s not still “Tina the bitch.”

“If you don’t get and A+ on it, i’m kickin’ your ass... And you can put that in ‘quote un quote.’"