Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to ask this of a hair salon?

59 replies

WingsofNylon · 20/01/2018 09:31

Would they react badly if I asked them not to make any conversation beyond deciding what needs doing and to provide me with an extra towel to put over my face during washing?

I need a cut so badly. But I don't want to endure the process.

OP posts:
Trashboat · 20/01/2018 09:33

I think it would be pretty rude, but I think they will know their customers. If you are being monosyllabic, sure they will pretty much ignore you back.

LyraPotter · 20/01/2018 09:34

To be honest I expect they would think you are a bit odd but there is no reason why they wouldn't honour your request, especially if you aren't rude about it.

The towel thing should be totally fine.

If I were you I would take a book and start reading as soon as you're in the chair so they know you aren't keen for a chat.

Trashboat · 20/01/2018 09:34

Why do you want a towel over your face whilst they wash your hair?

JeansAndANiceTop · 20/01/2018 09:34

Don’t see why they’d react badly.
My ex was similar. Didn’t want chit chat, didn’t like being there. They just told the hairdresser. And then sat in silence for 45 mins. I also had my hair done by the same stylist and he didn’t give a second thought to it, he just thought it was very rach to their own.

FluffyWuffy100 · 20/01/2018 09:36

Depends how you ask it.

I’m sure if you ask/day nicely they will be more than happy to oblige as expectations are clear.

Only1scoop · 20/01/2018 09:36

Yabu

The towel over face is just odd

GreyFluffball · 20/01/2018 09:36

I can't imagine they would react badly, I work in a salon and it is something we would accommodate. We once had a client ask us to cover the mirror during the haircut as she hated looking at herself! As long as you are polite when asking I'm sure they won't mind (ie do you mind if we don't chat, I'm tired and looking forward to sitting quietly for a little while, rather than coming across that you are snubbing them by bit wanting to talk if you see what I mean?)

BombsAway · 20/01/2018 09:38

I wouldn't think it was an unreasonable request if asked politely. I'm sure I read recently of salons that allowed you to book a 'quiet chair' for exactly this purpose

Original poster
WingsofNylon · 20/01/2018 09:39

Oh, such mixed responses. Good to hear from people who work in salons.

OP posts:
AnotherPlaceAnotherTime · 20/01/2018 09:42

Is this an anxiety thing? If so, just explain (if you can) and it will be fine.

Original poster
WingsofNylon · 20/01/2018 09:44

It stings a bit to hear so many people use the word odd - it is what I was afraid of them thinking.

Not wanting to be seen as odd is why i usually grit my teeth and push through it. But it's just getting too tiring.

OP posts:
GlitterGlue · 20/01/2018 09:44

If it makes you feel awkward asking say you have a blinding headache and are going to close your eyes and sit quietly as the salon lights make it worse.

Or go to somewhere like supercuts where they tend to be less chatty as they have a queue.

My friend and I always say they should hand out badges when you go In - green for chatty, red for no chat.

FittonTower · 20/01/2018 09:44

My salon are great with this, after i had my 2nd baby I'd been very ill and it affected my mental health. I was desperate for a haircut but I wasn't great with people at the time. I booked a cut early on a Tuesday morning when I knew it would be quiet and when I got in I said something like "Sorry if I'm not very chatty today, I'm tired and feeling a bit under the weather". I was made a cup of coffee, had a lovely hair cut and had an hour's peace. It was bliss. And, when I go back now I still get on great with my lovely hair dresser

OverTheParapet · 20/01/2018 09:45

Some salons have quiet chairs? Where it's as you describe OP; a quick consultation then it's lovely quiet

Original poster
WingsofNylon · 20/01/2018 09:48

Trahboat isn't being grunting and short responses more rude? I don't think I know how to do that anyway. If someone asks you a question you are supposed to answer properly.

I want a towel over my face for two reasons. The main one being the risk of getting splashes of water in my face. the second being that when they put the chair back you are facing the ceiling and therefore facing into thebright lights.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 20/01/2018 09:52

Hello op.

I don't think it's either odd or rude to ask politely for a chat-Free cut. Or the towel. I've never seen anyone do that but if I did I would just think "that woman has a towel over her face" and then not give it a second thought. It sounds like it would be nice Tbh

Hope you get a peaceful cut and feel better for it

LucyMorningStar · 20/01/2018 09:53

Not odd at all OP. It's a reasonable request. I don't like chatting either when I'm in for a haircut and so do many other people. If you're polite about it then there shouldn't be an issue.

ButFirstTea · 20/01/2018 09:55

Doesn't everyone close their eyes when they're getting hair washed in a salon? I definitely do! I think the towel thing is a bit strange but obviously if it works for you then go for it.

I don't often like a lot of chit chat so I usually take a book or magazine. Never been an issue.

Ilovewillow · 20/01/2018 09:56

I don't think you're odd at all! Going to the hairdressers ought to be a pleasurable experience. As long as you ask politely I'm sure they won't mind at all. They get get fed up of chatting all day too.

harlaandgoddard · 20/01/2018 09:56

I’d just take a book or a couple of magazines or look at your phone.

You don’t have to be rude, just give polite but short responses and don’t ask any questions back.

LyraPotter · 20/01/2018 09:59

Sorry OP, I shouldn't have said odd. I actually do understand where you're coming from in not wanting to hold a conversation because it can be tiring. But sadly I do think people will think it's a bit strange if you come straight out and say you don't want to talk. But I think you could avoid that if you explain it makes you a bit anxious and you like it to be quiet. Could you tell them on the phone when you make the appointment? That way it's less personal / awkward.

Brakebackcyclebot · 20/01/2018 10:01

I often say to my hairdresser that I'd like to sit quietly while he cuts my hair. I just say I'm tired and this is a break for me, so I enjoy just sittubv without talking. He doesn't think I'm odd!

The lights sounds like a perfectly reasonable explanation for wanting a towel over your face.

Just ask nicely for what you want. It's not odd to want an extra towel and then to sit quietly.

ShastaTrinity · 20/01/2018 10:04

No need to be rude. Fake a sore throat, bring a book or ask for a magasine and start reading. My mum hates small talk at the hair dresser because it's a noisy environment and she can't hear them. It's not unusual.

nothing wrong with asking for extra towel for the reasons you stated.

ElsieMc · 20/01/2018 10:05

I stopped going to salons years ago. Horrible experience. I have a mobile hairdresser who is pretty good. Is it just the chat that bothers you or the fact it is all so public? My hairdresser chats but we are familiar with each other now so it is fairly comfortable.

Dafspunk · 20/01/2018 10:05

My friend used to be a hairdresser in central London and she would get all sorts of requests, which she always genuinely happily obliged. The only ones that stuck in her mind were when people asked in a rude way or were very demanding (this was often).

She was always relieved when someone asked for no chat as it meant she could concentrate on doing a good cut and didn’t need to ask/answer inane questions about holidays booked and busy days.

Go on - just say politely what you want and enjoy a good haircut!