Made to stand and look down during haircut

[Reebokker]

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 ?!

There's a couple of different uttinf techniques for doing a one length cut. It is 100% normal to ask the guest to stand with their head forward. Especially for the back,this stops graduation from happening. If they cut the sides over your shoulder then your head would be back in a normal upright postion. If the stylist brings all of your hair back then some like the head forward the entire cut the reason above. If your hair is also longer then the arms o the chair and there not enough room to cut the sides you would be asked to stand. If they can do the sides whilst you're sitting they will.

It's harder foe stylists to cut hair overall while a guest is standing as often people shuffle and don't stand evenly, creating an uneven base.

I would call and let the salon know about your experience. If a guest has mobility issues then reasonable should be allowed. Ie. You sitting on a cutting stool or alternatively using a different method to cut the back while you stand properly upright with your head in a normal position.

🤣 change your salon if I was you. When my daughter gets up I'll ask her if she asked anyone to stand up or any of the other hairdressers ask anyone to stand up?

It’s the first thing you’re taught when cutting hair. It’s the only way to stop graduation. Stylists not doing so is for convenience at the expense of technique. I think they should have explained and made adjustments for you but I know as a hairdresser I wouldn’t want to send someone out with a bad haircut. Also it sounds like if it was a long time you maybe have thick hair? More sections to cut, and graduation is much more obvious on thicker hair. And there were no layers, also more likely to see any problems with technique. Standing up at the end to check is also normal, but not at the expense of the right technique in the first place, although I’ve seen people do it and start chopping all the odd bits underneath at the end. Not good technique/service but easier. Seems a lot of non hairdressers are the ones saying you don’t need to look down etc but I’d be interested in hearing from stylists!

It's completely unacceptable that the she ignored your pain. Send a complaint in to the salon and explain the situation. As someone with backpain I know that a situation like that could have caused spasms in my back and for me to be in significant pain for months if it aggravated my back. Anyone ignoring a client who is expressing physical pain is doing a terrible job. If I didn't get an acceptable response to the complaint I'd be leaving a very bad public review of the salon.

I Always offer to stand as I'm also very short with long hair so it can be difficult to cut in chair

So why didn’t you speak up like an adult and say this is hurting me I have a bad neck etc?
it’s a hairdresser not the army - they can’t make you do anything.

Why are you here?

I did but it was clear there was no other way I was going to be getting my hair cut unless I wanted bad job which I didn’t

Have commented previously on here but been told I’m wrong after 20 years in the industry 🤣

That sounds a very unpleasant experience. I hope the cut is good?
In future before you go ask your physio for advice regarding position and check this out with the salon. With neck issues you have described I would be concerned about you having a salon cut without specific advice to the hairdresser

I’ve put you aren’t being unreasonable mainly because despite it being easier for her, she should have made accommodations for you and your health conditions and she refused to do that which was out of order. What would she do if she had someone who used a wheelchair? She needs to have a different plan for people with different needs. I would simply not go there again and return to your better previous hairdresser.

cut is good thanks , yes I will speak to physio although I never had this experience before so I will go back to my normal hairdresser who manages to do good job . She does tend to sit behind me on stool. Might ask me to tilt head forward now & then but not look down

There are many bad hairdressers in the industry as I have learned over the years. A lot of them end up owning their own salon but it doesn't mean they are good.

I don’t disagree with you , I’m glad I’m not one of them based off of my client satisfaction and return rate over the years , same goes with anything isn’t it good and bad in every industry ☺️

For goodness sake! You cannot expect good advice about whether it is 'normal' to stand for a haircut because it's totally subjective. The style you have asked for, the length of your hair, whether it's curly or not and your height, are all factors the stylist must consider during the time allocated to see you. Also, if you arrived late or they were running over, this will add pressure. Anyone with hair past the shoulders must stand to have it cut.

You try standing for any length of time lifting both arms up, then try it holding a hairdryer for 20 minutes. Hairdressers have to do that all day long, all week.

Probably more abnormal to be harping on about your neck/back/physio. The hairdresser wants to do a good cut!

Normal. I’m tall and my hairdresser is a lot shorter so I have to stand too. I’d rather have a sore neck for a few days than a dodgy bob for months.

I’ve got long hair and hardly any ever let me sit to cut the length. I’m often asked to stand. Infact I think every hairdresser I’ve ever been to has done this apart from my current one.

It’s not normal to stand the whole time and ask to look down though. I wouldn’t go back either.

Is there a possibility that she refused to bend down to cut your hair? If they did not have a high profile chair, you should have walked out. She had no right to make you stand because your hair was long, she was too tall, and the salon did not have suitable furniture.

Does the Princess of Wales have to stand for her hair trim? I would imagine her hairdresser would not last long if she/he did.

Perhaps someone should ask her. If she does not, perhaps other hairdressers would find another way to cut long hair?

You’re abnormal

i asked for adjustable chair
she said it’s the back of the chair that is in the way
she was average height
Many are telling me this is normal technique.

This was the trade off I had to make , didn’t want a bad cut

If it is, it shouldn't be. You could contact - if such an organisation exists - the Association or Society of hairdressers and ask them.

Nowhere on earth should a hairdresser ask a client to stand for the cut. If they do, they should be reported to whoever licenses them.

Very normal for a short time. How long did you stand for and how long is your hair