Before we start, I would like to say that this is not to “bash” all hairdressers. I know there are some good ones out there, so no getting on your high horse if your daughter/son/auntie/uncle/granny/granddad, is a hairdresser.
Even though we all know how women like to spend their time in hair salons, I still find the whole topic full of confusion, ambiguity and a great dose of annoyance, especially if you are visiting a salon for the first time. I wish every salon had its own code of conduct that every client can have a look at, before they decide which one to use. It should be read and signed by the staff too, so both parties are happy at all times
It’s so funny how the minute you enter a hair salon, you become everyone’s “Dear”, whether you know them or not, you’ll still be called “dear”! “Have a seat DEAR”, “Would you like something to drink DEAR?”, “What are we doing today DEAR?” “I AM NOT YOUR DEAR,” is what I always want to yell!
Whenever you change your salon, the first thing the new hairdresser does is ask: “Where did you cut/colour you hair before?” with a total disgust on her face, as if she is holding a bag of garbage, not freshly washed hair. This obviously is not a real question, because no matter what your answer is, she is still not gonna like it!
After complaining about the haircut, then comes the whole “your hair is so damaged, what are we going to do about it?” talk. That’s when she will try to push you into buying some – if not all – of the salon’s products, because they simply are the best. Are they really?
If you are a mom like me, you will know how much I crave silence! Whenever I get a chance to do any kind of pampering, I hate to be talked to, which is so difficult to achieve because hairdressers love to talk, that’s a fact! However, I have a few techniques that have been keeping me sane. First: avoid eye contact at all costs. Second: short answers, preferably a yes or no. Third: bring a pair of earphones even if you are not planning to listen to music, just put them on and that usually discourages them.
Some hairdressers will insist on what THEY think looks nice regardless of what YOU want. There is nothing that drives me crazy more than this! It is MY hair, I am paying MY money, I am spending MY time [in theory, we both are, but at least she gets paid for it], and I still have to negotiate the style I want! I can’t shake my head enough here!
The TIP! Each salon should come with a manual on how to tip the hairdresser. I swear it’s like a real labyrinth in my mind each time. Who to tip – the one who washes your hair, the one who does your colour or she who wields the blow drier – and how much? They have ranks and levels, and you don’t want to offend anybody by tipping the wrong amount… too little for the boss, or too much for the apprentice! So you need to have a strategy the minute you walk in the salon, especially if it is your first time. First, I guess depending on the style and location of the salon, you will set the amount, then try to determine the rank of the one doing your hair. And, of course, the last and most important thread is how happy you were with the service. If you are not happy, none of the above matters right?
And can someone please explain to me why is it that salons always have the most horrible lighting? Doesn’t that go against all rules?
Even if salons can very well be a source of instant headaches, they still are highly beneficial and an absolute pleasure. So to all the hairdressers in the world, even though you CAN be annoying at times, we still can’t live without you!
Chanelmama Blogger: https://chanelmama.com/
Ouiam Charkani El Hassani
