To wonder when hairdressers will realise... (Trivial)

[HaveTeaWillSurvive]

That no-one wants a head massage when their necks are going to break on those awful hair washy sinks?

Seems to be a lot of hairdresser threads going on at the moment but I'm still bruised after getting my hair done on Wed and I'm just wondering if anyone actually finds them relaxing or are you all just as desperate as me to get the hair washing bit over with!

Clearly not the end of the world but they didn't even ask this time so I could opt out. So, AIBU to ask for hairdressers to go back to just a quick wash and a chat about your holidays?

[catgirl1976]

mrsjay :( Your poor DD

It's embarassing enough without people commenting

Poor love! I'm glad you gave the hairdresser a piece of your mind x

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Catgirl - would you enjoy the head massage if it wasn't for the psoriasis issue though? I have no hair/scalp issues and yet still don't like it, but I would never go for any other type of massage either.

[catgirl1976]

Tbh I don't think I would

I just don't like people touching my head and I don't find it relaxing. Even when my scalp is clear I hate it.

I don't like the chat either

I just want a haircut. As quickly as possible with as little fuss

[KindleMum]

I hate head massages from hairdressers but I simply tell them I don't want one. And on the odd occasion when I get an over-vigorous new junior who hurts me when doing the hairwash I say "ouch" quite loudly and ask them to be more gentle. I don't get the angst and suffering in silence.

I like my hairdresser though, and enjoy chatting with them.

[mrsjay]

mrsjay Your poor DD

It's embarassing enough without people commenting

Poor love! I'm glad you gave the hairdresser a piece of your mind x

I did and I complained to the owner too , it is bad enough being a teen with scalp issues and acne without a snooty grown woman pointing it out,

[catgirl1976]

Horrible woman

I hope her nose falls off :)

[DoJo]

YANBU - I never have my hair washed at the hairdressers, always have a shower just before i go, turn up with wet hair and never let them blowdry it either (don't want mad static hair all day!), which does mean that the whole process takes a total of about half an hour tops and it can dry on the walk home.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Huh. I would never say Oxford's in the Midlands.

But yeah ... I don't like the chat. I love the head massage but I don't lean back on the sink for it, I just move my head and they never seem to mind. I didn't know you weren't meant to!

I hate the 'so what do you do' conversation though. I used to say I was a student and they say 'oh, mature student?', which makes me feel ancient. To be fair, when you're 17 everyone over 25 probably does look ancient.

[Lora1982]

Yanbu and i hate the way you feel obliged to lie snd say yes when they ask if it was relaxing. Also detest them trying to make me buy extras. My god the chat aswell, last time i went i felt almost rude saying 'so anyway i want my hair like this..'

[KirjavaTheCat]

I love my hairdresser. It took a long time to find her. She cuts my hair nicely (and how I ask her to! I know!!!) and she doesn't chitchat. Ever.

A 'how do you do, have you lost weight? How lovely.' And she gets on with it, without a word. I can sit there and just relax for an hour, it's brilliant. All hairdressers should be like this

[Whatalotofpiffle]

I thought it was just me! They make my neck go dead, give me a headache and when the hairdresser applies the second lot of shampoo I feel like punching her!

[Nanny0gg]

Considering the job they do has a huge impact on your appearance and often how you feel about yourself, it really bugs me that, on the whole, hairdressers cannot do right as far as MN is concerned.
It's a highly-skilled, backbreaking, often poorly-paid job where they often have to deal with the Client From Hell.

If they are doing something you don't like/want, then just politely point it out. It really won't bother them if you don't want a head massage, but for those of us that enjoy it I hope it continues to be usual practice.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I wouldn't say they can never do right, mine does a brilliant job of cutting my hair and give really good advice about looking after it and never tries to make me have it straightened or blowdried as she knows I don't want it. She also doesn't give me the hard sell on products and I like chatting with her.

However with the massage thing I never really know whether they are massaging or just giving the shampoo a really good rub in so I would feel silly asking them to stop if all they are actually doing is washing it. I think if they are going to give you a massage they should ask you first, that way everyone knows where they stand, clearly from this thread there are quite a lot of people who don't want it.

[phantomnamechanger]

I absolutely love the head massage! And I love having my hair washed - when you do it yourself all the feeling is in your fingers so your scalp does not feel the sensation in the same way. I find it very relaxing and could happily sit there for hours - but I would never have the courage to go for a full body massage, way too intimate! Don't like the chit chat though and find if I close my eyes they get the message.

The hairdresser who thinks oxford is in London has obv been watching too much Inspector Morse/Lewis where folk are always talking about Thames Valley and going "to town" means London.

[vjg13]

I hate the sinks but love the massage and I'm not a massage type of person. I can see stars after sometimes from looking up at the lights though .

[Juniperdewdropofbrandy]

I'm a stylist too, just tell them. You're paying them money for the whole experience it should't be torture.

gordy just go and get a dry cut.

[SirChenjin]

I love the head massage - best bit about going to the hairdressers. The talk about holidays or what I'm doing for the rest of the day I could do without. I spend my whole life listening to inane chat, so if I could I would sit in silence with my eyes closed and my headphones in, before emerging butterfly-like from my chrysalis (or at least less of a mess than I normally am)

[midori1999]

catgirl as a hairdresser (although don't work as one anymore)I can assure you that any decent hairdresser won't pay any attention at all to your psoriasis and although I doubt it'll make any difference because it's not that easy, there's no need for you to feel embarrassed about it. Psoriasis is surprisingly common and hairdressers are used to it.

I love getting my hair washed at the hairdressers. If they have decent basins it shouldn't be uncomfortable at all and the stylist/shampooist should check you are comfortable before starting washing. They should also really ask if you would like or are comfortable with a head massage, as well as asking if you mind certain products being used.

Personally, I feel that about 90% of salons are awful, both in terms of service and standard of cutting/styling.

[kiwigirl42]

I hate it. I wash my hair before I go and arrive with wet hair. Never been a problem

[Juniperdewdropofbrandy]

midori1999 I agree. I'm appalled at the standard of cutting. I cut my own hair and people always comment how nice it is. Good advertising

[Juniperdewdropofbrandy]

Plus plus, colouring is my passion as is cutting. I can't believe how many people have awful colours done in a salon! I'm doing someone's hair (home)tomorrow and the salon had gone to Home bargains for the bleach to do her roots!

[corshamcake]

I now hate the sinks and the head massage after a painful experience two days ago (and still suffering pain) when I had to stop the process several times as my neck was hurting too much. I love my hairdresser though as he does a really good job cutting and colouring so thinking of buying a neck gel support for next time.