Hairdressers- do you mind quiet clients?

[UserFriendly14]

I’m currently sat in the hairdressers and, while I’m happy to chat when spoken to, I’m also happy to sit and watch the process take place in [what I hope is] a comfortable silence.

Do hairdressers find this awkward though? Or are quiet clients more common than I think?

Judging by the cacophony of conversations in my local hairdressers, quiet customers are rare. They are now accustomed to my silence and appreciate that - for me - it's a 2 hour break from caring for our autistic son, so I like to sit in silence and just drift ...

I'm always led by the client conversationwise. Some love a chat and others don't. I'm perfectly happy with a quiet client. A lot of people just like to go on their phones or relax and sometimes fall asleep, some tell you their life story!
It's all good to me.

I bet it gives the hairdresser a welcome break from all the small talk!

Absolutely not. I'm a hairdresser and when I go and get my hair done I don't talk, I just say to the hairdresser I'm sorry I'm not being rude I'm just really enjoying being pampered. I appreciate people find this time to enjoy being on their own, especially if you have a busy lifestyle or crazy children at home 😂.

Phew! Glad it's not just me and it is actually appreciated sometimes!

I went to a new hairdresser a couple of weeks ago and that was even worse. She seemed determined there would be no silence. I’m quite a quiet person comfortable in my own thoughts and hate that hairdressers assume you want to sit and gab for 2 hours solid when you don’t know them from Adam.

I dont like talking either. I use the same hairdresser each time and after a ten minute catch up and gossip I just let her get on with it. I think she can then concentrate on what she’s doing!

You’re paying for a service, who cares? It’s not your job to entertain the hairdresser.

I'm like this. I'll chat away to hairdresser if they prompt conversation but wont initiate it. Just love getting hair scrubbed and feel lovely after it and I do appreciate their work sitting in silence 😂

I always wondered this? So interesting to hear responses from hairdressers.

My sister is a hairdresser, she loves it when family are booked in so she doesn't have to make small talk

I go to a girl who doesn't speak much English to avoid the chit chat, my hair takes 4 hours, I can not do with chat for that length of time

I'm a hairdresser with 10 years experience behind the chair and I love quiet clients. After a quick catch up and consultation, it can be all systems go. Sometimes, because it can be so busy and buzzy it's nice for us to be able to crack on and have quiet time ourselves and not force a conversation. We feel just as awkward as you do. A good hairdresser should be able to clearly read your body language and know when to be chatty or not.

What we HATE Is when clients don't give us enough information during consultation. That's when the questions start. (You have been warned) We need boundaries and if you're new to us, how honest can we be? Ie. Umm no that fringe will age you by 10 years, honey no...you need cheek bones and a neck for that cut etc etc. This is mainly because as a new client we don't know what you like or dont like. So I know I can be ultra annoying and ask the same question 8 different ways to gather info. Ultimately, it's my signature that you're leaving the salon with and I want clients to recommend me!

(Haha just realised I went hairdresser here and gave you my life story...)

I've been getting my nails done in the same salon for years. A new girl started about 3 years ago and and on my first appointment with her I just said laughing "please don't ask me am I going anywhere nice tonight or what are you doing for your holidays this year and we'll get along just fine ". She pissed herself laughing and has kept her side and we will chat about anything but or not at all depending on the mood.