...to ask your honest thoughts when someone tells you they're a hairdresser?

Yes he's got his own salon and is very skilled at cutting hair, that's why I go there.
I don't need to like him, think he's a great person or think his opinions are worth anything.
He provides a service for which I pay, that's it.

Honestly, no opinion really. Indifference I guess same as most other normal, regular things that people do for a living.

Probably an initial panic that they might try to make extended small talk with me (something I’d think they’d be good at, and which I am very much not!) but other than that I’d have no strong feelings, it’s a normal sort of job?

I don’t understand what you mean? It doesn’t really bring up any sort of thought but at a party, I’d ask small talk questions about how you enjoy the job and what you specialise in (colour, styling etc) but I honestly don’t care.

It’s a very normal, good job. But it’s not exactly interesting to inspire great thought.

I know some people make assumptions about level of eduction being low etc, but I have a family member who is a hairdresser and also a graduate, so I know that’s absolutely not the case. My family member comes up against that assumption a lot and it really annoys her, as it makes clear that the person with that opinion doesn’t value what she does, and sees as it as a fall-back for people who can’t do anything else. To be honest, when I discover people are a hairdresser I usually worry that they are judging my hair as I’m mostly grey now and haven’t been able to afford a cut in over a year, and know I look a mess.

I think hairdressers do a skilled job, but somehow people think plumbing etc. is more 'important'. I think, why do hairdressers in salons get a raw deal salary wise when haircuts/colours cost a flippin fortune

I always wonder how they work out the lengths and manage to cut the hair the same length & straight (though had a few that struggle with that principal)

I don’t particularly think anything though, its a skilled job & they have to stand up 7/8hrs a day and be chatty

I couldn’t do it. Had some brilliant hairdressers in my time though

That they were the people we missed most during lockdown!

I too was about to mention the shoes! I’m always interested in what people who are on their feet all day wear - I always look at the shoes medical professionals wear as well. Just any profession that’s constantly on its feet but can’t wear work boots.

Good job she's skilled at cutting your hair then considering you have such a low opinion of hairdressers.

I've definitely come across that more often than not in my career as a beauty therapist. People were forever surprised that I knew what impetigo was and that I had A levels in sciences. It's pretty sad, actually.

OP, to answer your question, I'd think they are...a hairdresser. That's all. No assumptions. I've worked with pretty amazing hairdressers who very well educated (some even had degrees and high-flying careers before deciding they wanted a change and more flexibility) as well as with some who could hardly spell their name and needed support with figuring out how to tare a mixing bowl. People come to these professions for all sorts of reasons and these are not always due to lack of options or being "dim".

It's not a job I have any strong feelings about

I view them positively. It must be nice doing something creative with their hands each day and making people look their best.

If anyone was disrespecting them or looking down on them I’d question them more than I would someone choosing hairdressing as a career

Why? I've described my own hairdresser to a t.

I don't really know what assumptions I should have about a hairdresser to be honest

What a great job! My hairdresser is one of the most important people in my life! She can make or break my day. She is very talented, a fantastic business woman- owns her own business, makes a ton of money, is enormously kind .

She also looks fab.

Worried they're judging my box dyed hair then questioning whether they honestly consider the price of salon dying to be a reasonable amount to spend several times a year if you're not very rich.

"Oh god I hope they're not looking too closely at my (crap, DIY) hair" is usually my first thought.

I don't really have any other thoughts though. It's a nice job I think, ok it's not like you're earning doctor money but I think most hairdressers seem happy in their work?

I know three really well. All three have fantastic work life balance. Two earn £££ and the other one went from hairdressing- training- fashion- academia and would be incredibly intimidating were she not so lovely.
I’d only not recommend it as a career as it’s physically draining- as pp have mentioned carpal tunnel. And a friend trained and then couldn’t work as he became so allergic to dyes and shampoos.

I hope you are joking.

Not very educated. People person, likes chatting to people, likes putting forward their opinion but due to lack of education and critical thinking skills they are often misinformed and get their opinions from Facebook, tiktok etc. Quite likely to believe in things like manifesting, tarot, crystals etc. A fan of Botox, fillers etc.
If they're talented they can do very well and have their own salon and make a good living. They like to drive a white range rover.

I'd think they were skilled at their job.

Indifference. A secret hope that they are good and can do something with curly hair so I can become their client!

I tried to encourage one of my daughters to do hairdressing when she didn't know what to do at college but she wasn't interested unfortunately