Having just returned from another trip to the hairdresser I began to wonder does anyone out there feel the same as me? I absolutely love the massage chair, the washing, plus head massage, combing, snipping and styling and the satisfying end result. But what annoys me to the core is the "small talk". It's not that I want to be unfriendly or unsociable but for me it completely ruins the experience,as of course I do join in with the chat, but then welcome the hairdryer so I can enjoy some peace. I have the most lovely stylist and would feel so rude insisting on no conversation but wish there was a little form you could fill in discreetly letting your hairdresser know, "this lady would like a peaceful relaxing experience, so no chatter please," then no one is offended. Opinions please?
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(25 Posts)I understand where you are coming from. I have moved areas several times and needs must have had several hairdressers Some I have clicked with and am happy to converse with, without it feeling too forced. Some just make me cringe slightly in their 'efforts' to be chatty. I am glad to say that my current hairdresser is absolutely lovely and I have been enjoying having a natter with her for three years now!
Totally agree with you Anniepops. I particularly hate the massage chair, the head massage (makes me very tense!) and all the prinking and preening. I did, however, have a lovely hairdresser for several years who kept the chat to a minimum but I stopped going to the salon when they increased the charge for a fringe trim from £0 to £11 (yes, really!). Now I have a mobile hairdresser who does exactly what I ask for at a fraction of the salon price. She does talk a lot but I think that must be part of the training!
My hair salon has a huge array of magazines for clients to read. It gives me an opportunity to read all those magazines I would never normally read. My hair dresser and I chat - or not - as the fancy takes me.
Love the experience but it's spoilt for me by the small talk. I agree that hairdressers are generally lovely, friendly people who are eager to take an interest in their customers and see the warm welcome as part of their trade, but all I want is some restful, "time out".
I get quite a lot out of the talk at the hairdressers. I have been going to the same one for 30 years now and she is like a friend, although we are not on first name terms. (Don't ask - it's different in Germany)
The conversations often bring up helpful ideas - discussing other people's problems can show you a new way of dealing with your own, and hearing about unusual events, illnesses, or experiences of their other customers broadens the mind. I don't know the people she is talking about, and, anyway, all the gossip stays in the salon.
I always have a good old chat with my hairdressers. I've watched them grow from teen girls to adult women, and they've watched me turn from a punky middle aged woman to a little old (maybe not so little) lady. 
My hairdresser is a bloke . He's lovely we do chat quite a bit and he remembers our conversations from one visit to the next, for example asking me if I'd had a nice holiday when I get back. Plus a lovely cup of coffee . The lady who washes my hair does do a short massage but I like someone else washing my hair. When I have a colour done they do leave me in peace with a magazine whilst I'm waiting for the colour to take so I think I get the best of both worlds. ( and he's cheaper than my last hairdresser!)
I cant hear very well,so rather just sit there and be quite rather than keep saying sorry as cant hear what they say,i now have a mobile hairdresser and prefer a one to one.
Hi Anniepops, I too went to the hairdressers this morning ? Kim who does my hair is both interesting and interested, as are the rest of the girls and customers. Always very cheery ? mind you ....I do live in Yorkshire ?
I am afraid I’ve told my hairdresser that I’m hard of hearing and I take my kindle along and read my book!! I know it’s naughty!! Lol ???
One hairdresser I had never said a word which I found even more uncomfortable and awkward than one who chats. I felt that I ought to make conversation but she wasn't interested. Her haircutting wasn't great either so I moved on!
I've got to know my hairdresser quite well over the past 7 years and we like to chat as friends when she puts on my colour, cuts and styles. While my colour is on I read and am served coffee at regular intervals.
I also have beauty treatments at the same salon and enjoy chatting to the young beautician although we don't talk constantly.
Some people read a magazine or book in the hairdresser's so as to discourage conversation. Pity the hairdressers being expected to be friendly and interested in everyone. I believe they have quite a high rate of nervous breakdowns due to stress.
I suppose for me the message is to just politely say I would rather sit with eyes closed and relax and chill but I haven't the confidence to do something which goes against the grain. I always seem to be surrounded by happily chattering customers and hairdressers. I love to sit with the magazine's, if my hairdresser is running late, but other than that I don't always have time to drink the coffee between kind enquiries about holidays, grandchildren plus questions such as, "Are you going anywhere nice today?" Reckon I'm turning into a grump!
I went to the hairdresser today. I picked up some magazines and part of the time I read and part of the time we chatted, mainly about the contents of the magazine.My current stylist has been doing my hair for over 5 years and we are both very comfortable with each other.
I have a mobile who comes to my house every 6-8 weeks for a dry cut. He's great, laughing and joking - none of this 'where are you going for your holidays?' I want my hair done quickly and efficiently without lots of fussing and fiddling. I hate blow dries. I get a great cut, well shaped. My old salon stopped doing dry cuts saying it had to be wash cut and blow dry so I left them. Best thing I did.
Hairdresser/Dentist pretty much the same experience to me ... one of the necessities of life to be got over with!
I have had a head massage twice and both times had a nose bleed. I don't get nose bleeds! The second time was just before my DS's wedding and after it I was driving up a motorway to the ceremony! Not the best time for a nose bleed!! Luckily I hadn't changed into my wedding outfit!!
DH and I have had same (younger than us) mobile hairdresser for a long time now. She's lovely, pleasant and chatty but not intrusive. She knows-and does the hair of-our family too so a lovely experience all round. And jolly good value too. We sometimes sit in companionable silence. When we've had family troubles, ill health, bereavements etc she's been so supportive while simply getting on with the job too.
I had a break in Weymouth recently and noticed how busy one of these set price style 'Barber Shop' hairdressers were.
It was advertised as £5.50 for a ladies hair cut !
I plucked up courage and duely waited for a stylist and came out with the best hair cut I have ever had, hardly any chit chat but she was obviously a very nice ' people person '.
I left a very happy customer.
At present where I go to have my hair cut, English is a second language and not brilliant which suits me fine. I can sit and snooze with the knowledge I will not be asked where I have been on holiday and nobody will be bothered when I say not for many years.
For the first time I am happy to go to the hairdresser NTO talks about 'prinking and preening' which is what I have always hated. All that making a big deal out of it. Now I have a hairdresser who simply cuts my dry hair and then I leave, takes about 10 minutes Brilliant. If I want the full wash, hedgehog and blowlamp that is done quickly and efficiently too.
Nonnie please, what is " a hedgehog and blowlamp" ? Sounds like torture to me.
POGS, whereabouts in Weymouth? It's only a couple of hours on the train for me. Last week I had my hair cut in one of those places who don't do appointments. Big mistake, worst haircut I have ever had and cost twenty quid. Haven't been to my usual stylist for the last couple of cuts, regretting it now!
Auntieflo bristle brush and hairdryer!
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