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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Anyone else find salon chat awkward

32 replies

Cheesestring11 · 21/02/2022 10:06

I really enjoy getting my hair done, but I'm quiet and shy and struggle with the conversation.
Some hairdressers don't really chat, but I've had some who seem determined that there won't be any silence. I know it's part of their job and they're just trying to be friendly, but I find it hard making small talk with a total stranger.
I can't think of anything to ask them, i reply politely when they speak to me, it's the usual, doing anything nice over the weekend etc.
They must think I'm really unfriendly and awkward, but I just find it hard to chat to strangers.
Does anyone else not enjoy salon chatter so much? It's a shame as I love getting my hair done, but it puts me off going

OP posts:

Onlyhuman123 · 21/02/2022 10:09

I'm same as you. Once the 'hello how are you' are done I'm all for just sitting there in silence . Sadly my hairdresser chats a lot and engages all the other people in the salon to join in conversations which i get dragged into and I don't like it but don't want to change hairdresser cos he's brilliant. I sound awful don't I. But i just think, ah well, it's just an hour or so; soon be over....

fenellastripe · 21/02/2022 10:09

Not awkward but just a bit of a chore. I'll ask them more questions than they ask me as that's slightly more interesting than churning out the same stuff about my life. But basically I'm not really interested in their lives unless they have a dog to talk about

Everydaydayisaschoolday · 21/02/2022 10:14

I've had hairdressers I'd happily chat to for hours. Visiting their salon was social as much as maintenance. My current hairdresser does a great cut and colour but I don't find much to say to her so I read my kindle. She doesn't seem to mind.

Nadjathedoll · 21/02/2022 10:16

There was a thread recently where people were talking about silent appointments, which some salons now offer.

I go to a tattooist that offers silent appointments, which many anxious/ND customers are more comfortable with.

CandyflossKid · 21/02/2022 10:17

My hairdresser offers 'silent' appointments if required. If you don't want to chat, she is fine with it

wanttomarryamillionaire · 21/02/2022 10:20

I can't stand it, inane chat about nothing. I much prefer it if they don't talk and just get on with their job.

Nanny0gg · 21/02/2022 10:22

@wanttomarryamillionaire

I can't stand it, inane chat about nothing. I much prefer it if they don't talk and just get on with their job.

If you don't want 'inane' chat, then start a conversation you're interested in yourself, or read a book or kindle.

Saracen · 21/02/2022 10:23

I do find it a bit awkward because I am not a chatty person. On the plus side, I can babble out any old fib and not get caught out on it, so that makes it easier. I just say whatever comes into my head.

HopefulProcrastinator · 21/02/2022 10:23

I'm basically deaf with background noise so a hairdresser's is the worst possible place to try and have a conversation with me.

Thankfully my hairdresser knows this and keeps chit chat to quiet spots and a minimum to just make the situation feel natural rather than forced silence (or forced chatter!)

NightmareSlashDelightful · 21/02/2022 10:25

‘How would you like your hair cut?’

‘In silence.’

WorryMcGee · 21/02/2022 10:25

I’m the same. In the end I told the hairdresser that it would be really nice to have a quick catch up and then use the time to quietly read my book because I talk all day at work! He wasn’t offended in the slightest. In fact, he said he totally got it 😂

scootalooser · 21/02/2022 10:28

So awkward. My hairdresser is ace but the small talk is terrible and he doesn't like me to look at my phone / book/
Magazine. So painful!

twinklystar23 · 21/02/2022 10:47

Urrgh cant stand it, even tried to get her to talk about herself/interests to try and find some common ground, without being intrusive. Appreciate I know little about her but depressing when she asked " have you got a holiday planned this year" answered "no, not yet, though hope to plan something" End of convo !

Hmbleybee · 21/02/2022 11:01

Yes! I am the same as you. I have ASD and can seem very awkward. I absolutely hate eye contact with other people in a mirror. Eugh! I've only ever had 2 hairdressers who I found it easy and comfortable to talk to. My last but one hairdresser was really lovely and easy to be around but unfortunately very popular and I could afford her price increases. My lovely hairdresser I see now, works from a little garden room at home, I think it makes a big difference as we are both much more relaxed than in a salon environment. We are completely different personalities but it just flows when it needs to and the silent times don't seem that awkward.

Divebar2021 · 21/02/2022 11:06

Just manage expectations from the start… tell them you’re flat out at work / home and you’re going to enjoy reading your book / magazine etc and would prefer not to chat.

RampantIvy · 21/02/2022 11:10

Just tell them you don't feel like chatting, and take a book/kindle/magazine with you.

It must be just as excruciating for the hairdresser to talk to someone who won't engage with them.

Lamerexo · 21/02/2022 11:17

Tbh I tbibk its easier to take control of the conversation so the majority of the talk is on them not you, and then you can carry ob asking them questions until they've worn themselves out !

MimiDaisy11 · 21/02/2022 11:26

I’m the same. I find I never know where to look as if we’re not chatting then it feels weird just to watch her and then if we are talking it’s usually an effort.

I never thought of bringing a book in or saw anyone else with one. I think it’d be difficult for some of appointment as they don’t want your head looking down.

BunsOfAnarchy · 21/02/2022 11:26

I'm very sociable and very chatty.
But.
When I go to the hairdressers, lovely as she is, I prefer to take magazines (I'm a sucker for some real trashy true life magazines) or a book and have some 'me time'.
At some point I realised that although I have a pretty standard working/home life (divorced mum of 1, full time work, childcare/school runs and usual daily home maintenance tasks), i never actually found time to totally switch off and relax with a book or a magazine.
My hairdresser doesn't push for convo which I love.
Silence is bliss!

cobblers123 · 21/02/2022 11:30

When I used the salon my usual hairdresser was really good and only really chatted if I instigated a conversation, I usually read my book.

When she left it was really awkward. I'm no longer married/have partner, have no kids rarely go on holiday and didn't go out much as I worked nights so any conversations with me were very short as they seemed to be the go to topics that usually began.

I now have a mobile hairdresser, we do chat quite a bit but it's much easier at home.

Bunnyfuller · 21/02/2022 11:31

Totally puts me off having anything done to my hair. I have someone come to the house now, a lot cheaper to put up with the chat. I bloody hate it. Even if you take a book or mag, some of them insist on talking to you. I’ve tried the talk about something that interests me, but haven’t found much common ground between me and the 30 yr younger eyebrowed/lip-filled employees I’ve met! But I’m not quite ready to sit with the even more mature and discuss/compare ailments.

ThePlantsitter · 21/02/2022 11:33

Yes I hate it. I have started to take my book and say 'do you mind if I read my book while you're working?' which is basically saying 'don't talk to me' while not saying don't talk to me.

OinkyO · 21/02/2022 11:40

I often just say I'm not feeling great and they tend to get it and not chat much. Though that's only becuase I'm often not feeling great!

camperjam · 21/02/2022 11:44

I'm the same, it's worse when they try to talk to you whilst blow drying your hair.

wigglerose · 21/02/2022 12:09

Yeah, god. I've always struggled with chit chat. I imagine hairdressers are bored to tears by it too.

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