Do you expect friendly small talk with your hairstylist? (haircut, salons, how to)

[questioner2]

I would like to find a friendly hairstylist who will talk to me about both my hair and other topics. Though to save money, I have been going to discount salons and the people who cut my hair have all the charm and personality of a funeral director. I get good cuts sometimes but get frustrated sitting there in silence for 30 minutes. It make me ill at ease.

Do you expect or want conversation from your hairstylist?

[kaykay]

I like it. It seems less awkward to me than just sitting there in silence, but hey, these days I'm looking for a good cutter...period. If I could find one who gives a good cut, she/he wouldn't have to say a word! In fact, one of my long time stylists was EXCELLENT! (She moved, however.) But she was very quiet. She opened up a little after we had gone to her for several years. I didn't care, though. She knew how to give an excellent haircut! My son and my husband went to her too.

It would be preferable to find good skill level and good personality, but again, I'd settle for skill level and I've tried the gamut from cheap to expensive and am having difficulty finding anyone.

[nicolepsy]

believe me SOMETIMES it's good if they don't talk because:
1. you may not want to hear about how they're boyfriend just received parole.
2. too much small talk may distract them and you end up with uneven bangs!

[Reactionary]

Absolutely.

I've been fortunate to have some good stylists (er, barbers). One of my favorites was great at telling jokes. My current place is a hotbed of politics - the owner of the shop is a(n) (opposing) party wheel, but everyone running for office in the area drops by to pay their respects, and maybe get a haircut.

And I don't stick with a stylist unless their work is good; I can pay a bartender to talk to me...

[notjustamom]

Mine talks too much. Sometimes I just want to sit and relax a bit during a haircut, not talk constantly.

[Leana76]

I really don't like to get into the stylist's business, because I do change salons about every year or 2 years (depending when I move). So, I don't get too personal.

And I don't like to talk a whole lot, because I think that distracts what they are really doing (only 1 time have I ever gotten a bad haircolor done, because she wanted to talk too much to everyone in the salon; I was going for dark blonde hair and it turned out reddish-blonde, which I didn't like, because she didn't want to pay any attention and just talked like a cackling hen all damn day! I never went there again, that's for sure!!) .

I pretty much prefer one who doesn't talk very much while doing my hair. Thanks...

[cricket_factor]

I let the hairstylist do most of the talking to try and see where she's coming from when I go the first few times.

The last two hairdressers I had:

1. One always talked about herself, complained about everything in her life, and never once asked about me and my life (just as well);
2. The second one, upon getting me settled in the chair and finding out how I wanted my hair cut and colored, promptly said,"I have no health insurance!" And proceeded to tell me how she worked part-time at three salons.

I don't know if it's a sign of the times or just out here where I live, but the roles of hairdresser and patron have reversed. In the last two years I have experienced the stylist bellyaching to me, the customer. Sometimes on a cold morning the heat isn't even turned on in the salon. Plus, some of these places are so cheap (and their prices aren't) that they don't even offer you a cup of coffee.

But a couple of weeks ago I started with a new salon and a new hairdresser - and the experience couldn't be better. I was treated nicely, the color and cut was fantastic, the woman was experienced and near my age and it made me wonder why I hadn't switched salons sooner. So there is hope and vindication out there. I wish sometimes though, there was a rating system somewhere so we could find out what salon is good, or which stylist is good. Many times it's hard to find a good hairdresser for fine hair, which I have.

[goldenmom7500]

That's an interesting question. I would prefer silence - except that I know I'm supposed to have a conversation - so I work at it as hard as they do. But if it were one of these silent, anonymous things, that would be fine with me. I just *hate* it when they insult my hair, which tends to be dry. This seems to be more typical at the discount places. If they think I will spend more or return more frequently because they tell me my hair is dry, I can't say it has ever been successful.

[nicolepsy]

Originally Posted by goldenmom7500

That's an interesting question. I would prefer silence - except that I know I'm supposed to have a conversation - so I work at it as hard as they do. But if it were one of these silent, anonymous things, that would be fine with me. I just *hate* it when they insult my hair, which tends to be dry. This seems to be more typical at the discount places. If they think I will spend more or return more frequently because they tell me my hair is dry, I can't say it has ever been successful.

you should try the yaya conditioner (contains genuine extract of yaya!) that ive seen at the discount places! works really well for drya hair.

[katie45]

I prefer they pay attention to cutting/styling my hair. Too many I know yak too much and I end up with a lousy cut/style!