To wish for a silent hairdressers?

[IndianaMoleWoman]

Hair cut today, the hairdresser was lovely but asked 10,000+ questions and didn’t seem to get the hint with my short but polite answers, even when I mentioned that my small children are driving me mad with questions!

Does anyone else wish that there was a chain of specialist silent hairdressers where you could go for a bit of peace and not an interrogation?

This is a very privileged point of view. Those sorts of people don't earn a huge amount of money and basically have repetitive manual jobs with one of the highlights (pun not intended) being the social side and chatting to people to break up the monotony.

These sorts of people? Fuck me Dowager Duchess, how fortunate these poorly paid manual labourers are to be given the gift of conversation with their betters. Gawd bless you ma'am

I always used to feel like this until I started going to a hairdresser who somehow I just clicked with and her conversation was really interesting and completely non-awkward. We had lots of interests in common. Sadly she’s just left the salon to live overseas and I’m a bit gutted! When she asked if I’d like her to recommend another stylist at the salon I said “Which one will have the best conversations with me?” and she has promised that the one she’s suggested will be on my wavelength...

I was heartbroken when my hairdresser went on maternity leave, as she's the first one I've ever enjoyed chatting to. Then I had to start again auditioning new ones. To find one that doesn't whitter on inanely is almost as important as finding one who does a decent cut and colour.

busybarbara Really? Introverts like myself should waste our energy on pointless small talk? I don't think so! If the person doing my hair would like a chat, they should at least think of a subject worth talking about.

My hairdresser is lovely, I'm happy to chat about whatever she wants to chat about

Oh God yes. I have anxiety and feel ill at the thought of going to the hairdressers because I know they’re going to make small talk.

I’m loving the irony of “This is a very privileged point of view. Those sorts of people...” Othering, much?!

Glad I’m not alone in this. Perhaps we’ll see the idea pitched on Dragon’s Den in the not too distant future...

Sign me up too!

I’m always absolutely exhausted and have a pounding headache when I leave the hairdressers due to the inane chatting, trying to think of what interesting subject we can discuss next and straining to hear her over the dryers.

I’ve just started a new one which is even worse because we’re still at the ‘have you been/are you going anywhere nice this year?’ stage.

I actually dread it. Just cut my bloody hair!

Those of you who read, do you just whip your book out before/during the cut? Do you say, "I'm going to read my book"? I also hate hairdresser smalltalk but have never considered trying to get out of it..

Some people are admirably able to just think to themselves ‘I don’t want to be doing this’ and do what they want to instead ie read book instead of talk nonsense to a stranger but I’m definitely in the camp of must be polite and do the done thing here

@busybarbara I don't know which salons you go to but it's not my job to entertain my hairdresser who earns double what I do. They're not slaves and no one entertains me at work.

Ever thought that some of you could start 'interesting' conversations?

And it's pretty difficult to read whilst having your hair done as your head wouldn't exactly be at the right angle for cutting.

My hairstylist (I only cut my here there and get my blowdries somewehere else because of distance) not only he cuts my hair perfectly straight and he knows exactly what I want, but he doesn't talk. I love it. It's bliss. One hour or so of pure silence.

Cut my hair, sorry, too early🤦‍♀️

Ah, hairdresser chat.

This is like the taxi driver question: to chat or not to chat.

The thing is they and other people in public facing roles when you're in a confined or fairly confined space together for an amount of time need to assess your mood and realise when you do or don't want to talk, it's a skill, an underestimated one.

I've been going to the same hairdresser for years and she has it down to a fine art. In fact I have to watch myself sometimes as she seems to draw things out of me like a psychologist. The last apt I went to in fact, I think we were both knackered- I was her last client - and there was a mutual comfy silence.

I do think though when you're a newish client they're just feeling their way and if they're a younger or new hairdresser they're often instructed to make conversation.

But yes a book/kindle/phone in your hand can work as a decoy. Don't announce it, just whip it out midway if need be.

And hairdressing is far more art than manual labour imo, though tbf mine has amazingly toned upper arms through vigorous blow drying, not a bingo wing in sight.

Omg yes, if silent hairdressers existed I would actually be able to go and have my hair cut instead of doing a bodge job myself. I haven't been able to go to the hairdressers for 14 years for this very reason. Hate small talk!!

I can never bloody hear the chat either! So not only do I not want to be chatting, I’m stuck having a half arsed conversation with someone I can’t hear! I’m not deaf so I can’t say I am, but I can never hear them while my hairs being flapped all over my face or the hairdryer is blasting away. I loathe it, so now just cut my own.

I really need to find another hairdresser just cant be bothered to risk a bad cut in the meantime.
Mine is the opposite in that she tells me all about every minor drama of her extended family so it is all about her . She works with a family member who talks non stop as well. And there is a lady who is nothing to do with the salon at all who pops in every day to witter innanely as well. I just want to sit in peace and enjoy the experience because it can be relaxing imo if done right.
It all drives me mad and every time I think that's it I am off but never get round to looking elsewhere and then it is haircut time again so there I am listening to it all again !

I've been to the same hairdresser for the past 5 years and we have this running theme where we discuss/review/gossip about all the quirkiest cafes/eateries/sushi bars we can find in the country! The chat is as much of a draw as the haircut, imo.

Yes and the music is always soooo loud too!!!

I just say to mine, do you mind if I read my book... it's the only chance I get. They won't mind! It's a break for them too

@busybarbara my haircut(no colour) costs almost £100. My hairdresser earns well. And he respects my wish not to talk!

Your point of view is pretty patronising and is way off.

My hair takes 4 hours, so it used to fill me with dread but now go to a hairdresser who speaks little English, so much better

Count me in, the small talk is what puts me off going to the hairdresser. My old hairdresser was nice but he constantly used to talk to me whilst doing my hair, even shouting over the hairdryer to continue the conversation about his nieces and nephews. Ughh.

I went to a new hairdresser recently who was actually surprisingly easy to chat to and massaged my head like a goddess but I think I'd still take the silent hairdresser any day.

Before I retired, I happened on a hairdresser near my work, who was very quiet, almost surly, she did her job well and confidently, but silently, I loved it!
Now I am retired and attend another hairdresser near home, she is chatty, but I don't mind, as I have lots of quiet time now.