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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Made to stand and look down during haircut

170 replies

Reebokker · 15/08/2025 16:39

i went to a different salon today
I’ve always had long hair
she said I had to stand up and “look down” for her to cut my hair
it was not a relaxing experience, I also have a bad neck from bad posture / curvature of spine and have to see physio to correct it. I kept saying “this is hurting my neck , I have a bad neck, I have physio on my neck. That I never normally have to stand to have my haircut” . I asked for an adjustable chair
she said the chair would get in the way.
she seemed annoyed with me. I didn’t complain but I won’t go back l. Is this normal ?!

OP posts:
UsingAMansNameInAWomensWorld · 15/08/2025 17:58

Reebokker · 15/08/2025 17:02

I kept lifting my head as neck was killing me
she would just say, when you’re ready look down

So she was giving you chance to relax...

This is different to "no put your head down" which is what I got from your OP

And yes, I have near waist length hair and only sit for my fringe usually

Vaxtable · 15/08/2025 18:00

I have long hair and have never had to stand! My hairdressers manages ok

nocoolnamesleft · 15/08/2025 18:01

I usually have to stand and look down for haircuts, as my hair is longer than the top of the backs of the chairs. That doesn’t bother my notoriously dodgy back, but those bloody tip your head back wash basins are agony.

Reebokker · 15/08/2025 18:03

UsingAMansNameInAWomensWorld · 15/08/2025 17:58

So she was giving you chance to relax...

This is different to "no put your head down" which is what I got from your OP

And yes, I have near waist length hair and only sit for my fringe usually

Yes but she was saying it impatiently,

Doesn’t sound like the experience you have at all

nor every other time I’ve had my hair cut

OP posts:
Reebokker · 15/08/2025 18:05

Plastictreees · 15/08/2025 17:56

Yes, I have very long hair and stand for part of the hair cut. Usually for no more than 5-10 mins. The rest can be done seated. How long were you standing?!

For the entire hair cut as I have it all one length

OP posts:
Reebokker · 15/08/2025 18:06

Devilsmommy · 15/08/2025 17:05

Can I just ask, if you have to stand because of your hair being really long therefore the seat back would be in the way, why can't you just sit on a stool then? Am I missing something really obvious or wouldn't that be alot more comfortable for the person having the haircut?

They didn’t have any stools
would have preferred that

OP posts:
PringlesTube · 15/08/2025 18:10

My hair has always been long - varying between down to the middle of my back and down to my bum- never have I ever had to stand up.

Sus808 · 15/08/2025 18:31

I know you say you had to do this throughout the whole cut OP, but how long are we talking in duration, minutes-wise?

As some PPs have said, I’ve had to do this at the end of a cut sometimes, but never for the whole thing.

Was the stylist the manager of the salon? I’d be inclined to contact the manager and ask if it’s usual for a stylist to cut hair in this manner? Well is it normal for them as you’ve never had that experience elsewhere. If they tell you it’s normal for them, just say “OK thanks, I’ll go elsewhere next time then.” If not then ask which stylist you should ask for next time, so you’re not expected to stand like that in future.
Maybe a bit of a passive aggressive way of complaining, but either way they now know that you’re not happy with it.

Fizbosshoes · 15/08/2025 18:33

My hair is elbow length and I generally expect to stand for maybe 5 min , but definitely not for the whole cut

Iwannabewherethepeopleare · 15/08/2025 18:39

If your hair I long and one length I’m surprised you’ve not had this before. It’s so they don’t have long hair poking out underneath the cut. She’s just trying to give you an even cut.

JoshLymanSwagger · 15/08/2025 18:48

When my hair was very long, I stood at one point, and then sat on the floor to put some layers in.
The hairdresser would have needed a step ladder or to sit on the floor herself.
I also have neck problems now, so have my hair cut to a much shorter length (it will still tie up/back) and my neck thanks me every time I have it cut.

Blinkingbother · 15/08/2025 18:51

I have seriously long hair and also had my hair cut today - sitting down!! I’m also a hairdressing tart and go to lots of different salons and have never(!) had to stand. I also wouldn’t go back if I was made to stand for the duration of a cut - that’s not a pleasant experience!!

AngryBookworm · 15/08/2025 18:53

For the WHOLE haircut? That's completely mad. I've had long and short hair and never had to do that. The hairdresser has sat on a lower stool if needed. At the end for tidying/checking length is one thing but for the whole haircut is bananas. If they want to do it that way that's their lookout I suppose but you're right not to go back.

Daisyochain · 15/08/2025 18:57

That’s how they always cut my hair.

How can they cut it otherwise? The back of the chair would be in the way. Plus they need to be able to see that it’s straight.

How long were you standing like this for?

LemonCatsHat · 15/08/2025 18:59

I have hair to my waist and I’ve always been asked to stand. It makes for a better haircut.

PInkyStarfish · 15/08/2025 19:05

You’re a grown up woman. You refuse to do something that causes you pain.

You need to learn to be assertive.

lifeonmars100 · 15/08/2025 19:11

I have stood up when getting my hair cut, pretty standard technique

PistachioTiramisu · 15/08/2025 19:14

This is absolutely normal - I have very long hair and every time I have it trimmed, my hairdresser asks me to stand up so she can properly gauge how it falls. It only takes a few minutes. Stop fussing.

OtherS · 15/08/2025 19:29

I'm nearly waist length and I'm up and down usually. Never stood for whole cut, and wouldn't be very happy to.

londongirl12 · 15/08/2025 19:32

Not for the entire haircut. Normally just a few mins at the end.

Reebokker · 15/08/2025 21:08

Sus808 · 15/08/2025 18:31

I know you say you had to do this throughout the whole cut OP, but how long are we talking in duration, minutes-wise?

As some PPs have said, I’ve had to do this at the end of a cut sometimes, but never for the whole thing.

Was the stylist the manager of the salon? I’d be inclined to contact the manager and ask if it’s usual for a stylist to cut hair in this manner? Well is it normal for them as you’ve never had that experience elsewhere. If they tell you it’s normal for them, just say “OK thanks, I’ll go elsewhere next time then.” If not then ask which stylist you should ask for next time, so you’re not expected to stand like that in future.
Maybe a bit of a passive aggressive way of complaining, but either way they now know that you’re not happy with it.

Think the cut took about 20 mins tops
i wasnt timing
I won’t complain as i dont want to get someone in trouble
I just won’t go there again
I will go back to my usual salon ( they were fully booked)

OP posts:
Reebokker · 15/08/2025 21:10

PInkyStarfish · 15/08/2025 19:05

You’re a grown up woman. You refuse to do something that causes you pain.

You need to learn to be assertive.

This is true
I was just worried the salon would refuse to finish cut or shed mess it up

OP posts:
BlondieMuver · 15/08/2025 21:33

No definitely not normal. I have long hair.

Katemax82 · 15/08/2025 21:39

I had a hairdresser who came to our house when I was 8. She made me stand to have my hair cut...I fainted. Looking back i think "should have let me sit down in the first place "

BeenzManeenz · 15/08/2025 23:04

Its normal for a few mins, but not the duration of the cut. How long are we talking here, like 20 mins??.

My hairdresser does this for about 4 or 5 mins total I'd say.