What hairdressers should never say...

Actually, he was oblivious.

It never occured to him to try to get out of it, because he never realized that it might be taken badly.

At the end of the cut, the client simply said..

"I'm sorry I couldn't provide you with more inspiration."

I don't know if I'm imagining what he said next, or whether he really said this, since it was several years ago now, but I think it was something like this...

"Oh, that's all right, I get plenty of inspiration when I do hair shows."

I felt so sorry for her. The irony is that she could indeed have been a hair model. She had great, workable hair, and she was very attractive, and probably being a new mother needed reassurance. I don't think she ever came back.

While I was apprenticing with a stylist, I overheard the following conversation between him and a very attractive client, who happened to be a new mother.

Client: I'm looking for something new. Can you suggest something?

Stylist: (Meaning to account for the fact that as a new mother she would have less hair time) Well, you certainly aren't a model.

Cringe.

This explains why he was a hair stylist and not a political speech writer.

Hairdressers shouldn't tell you their life story every time you see them. It becomes a habit for them. My cousin is married to a hairdresser and you never get a word in edgeways. Why can't they shut up and let you answer their questions? "So, are you going on holiday this year? I'm not until I've lost at least a stone. I'm doing this new diet, but all I'm doing is eating...blah....blah".
Apologies if you are a hairdresser who cuts hair and doesn't act as if you are a therapist who needs to be talked at . Oh yeah, and that auto-pilot thing. How can anyone be taking enough notice of their work if their half asleep?!

Thank you, I think you are pretty incredable yourself!!!

I also compliement a good cut by a previous cutter because it compliments the client choices and decisions. You tell them its bad, it just makes them feel worse if they recieved a bad cut. I don't tell every new client this but give it when I believe it.

Another thing is, and I tell my staff this, never never never ask who cut it because they may feel guilt for leaving that person and saying thier name or being asked that just makes them think about them and feel even more guilty. Begining a service with a new client, the whole world is open for possibilities. To make a new friend, to learn something new about this person. You only have this first chance to make this person feel totally comfortable with you and to trust you, which is Alot more important than a "perfect cut". You cannot always get it exactly right the way they want it the first time, especially with men. But building the relationship first, earning there trust and LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN to them. Repeat what they just told you to show them that you understand and clarify anything you do not completetly understand.

Thats what good communication is all about!!

I don't know about the Altruistic part, phil.... but the genuine part is something I truly work at.

It saddens me, sometimes, to read how badly many of you have been treated in Salons. I really do know, many great Stylists, I hope they are not the exception.

Gosh Uz, what a great compliment....Thank You! Truly!

A genuinely altruistic hair stylist! Well it is heartening to know that there are some of you out there, even if IMO you are the exception. I just never seem to come across them, unfortunately. Good for you, anyway!

Yes, and that question is inevitably accompanied by a resigned shrug and a look of pity. What they will NEVER follow it up with is ".....well they did a damn good job!" Dont you just love that which they call "human nature"?

That reminds me...

"Is this your natural hair color, or do you have a vitamin deficiency?"

"Do you normally ask for this style, or did you cut it yourself?"

From a conversation I once overheard:

Stylist: "I see your children have a different hair color from yourself. Are they naturally blonde?"

Client: (laughing) "What? Are their roots showing already?"