The tail of two hairdressers……:

[Rabblesthecat]

So on my high street there are two very good hairdressers - a and b

I’ve used both over the years but more recently b. Mainly because when they reopened last summer A were hard to get hold of.

B requires stylists to have full PPE and client to wear a mask at all times. Nothing as changed since they reopened last summer and they intend
To continue that way going forward

A on the other hand - back to normal. Magazines and coffees provided. Stylists will wear a mask if requested by the client. Client can do as they wish.

I’m booked in with A next month. I could get an appointment with B tomorrow.

Driving past both. B had tumbleweed and A was fully booked and people waiting.

Just a local
Observation

B all the way - and this is how my hairdresser is going to be for the foreseeable future. It makes my feel safer and that's all that matters.

@woodfort

The other week I noticed two consecutive posts on Instagram by two local businesses that I follow. One a pub (but more at the gastro-end, less old man pub) who instagrammed a photo of a packed pub from pre-CV and said “can’t wait to get back to this on 19th July” - hundreds of likes and comments. The second a local high-ish end independent restaurant which said that after thinking it over and consulting with regulars they’d decided that lower capacity, masks, perspective screens etc will remain and nothing will change going forward. Lots of likes and comments that they are “doing the right thing”

I haven’t been to either recently because .. children .. but I can’t help but think oh God I miss the pub, I miss queuing at the bar.. I don’t miss the few times I dined out next to a plastic screen and had to put my mask on to go to the loo even if I didn’t pass next to anyone. I am wondering which will cave first or if both will keep going and keep making money.

A bar near me had a massive “Freedom Day” party starting at midnight last Sunday. They’re closed now due to a Covid outbreak. There’s something to be said for still being sensible about things.

My hairdresser is an A. No masks, door open, magazines in the rack. I wear my mask in shops but took my mask off at the hairdressers because it would have been unbearable in this heat to keep it on. I would be very happy with B but I think wearing a mask and a shield in the heat from the weather and the dryers would have been unbearable for them so can't blame them really. I'm going to lateral flow test regularly to check I've not been infected.

Everyone on here will say they prefer b.
In real life a is definitely going to take over the majority of business

@Rabblesthecat

So on my high street there are two very good hairdressers - a and b

I’ve used both over the years but more recently b. Mainly because when they reopened last summer A were hard to get hold of.

B requires stylists to have full PPE and client to wear a mask at all times. Nothing as changed since they reopened last summer and they intend
To continue that way going forward

A on the other hand - back to normal. Magazines and coffees provided. Stylists will wear a mask if requested by the client. Client can do as they wish.

I’m booked in with A next month. I could get an appointment with B tomorrow.

Driving past both. B had tumbleweed and A was fully booked and people waiting.

Just a local
Observation

presumably if B has kept COVID policies in place they'll be a lot more limited in terms of number of people they'll have in at once.

certainly no queues and maybe gaps inbetween clients

Why is it a bad thing that they're giving people an option? Plenty of CEV patients and those still waiting for second jabs would appreciate a haircut where they're at lower risk of exposure, and no one is forced to go there. They'll be losing money in order to do this, not sure why they should be criticised for it.

I'd choose B because I'd expect both their staff and clientele would be less likely to show up with covid symptoms. I wonder if B is quieter because they are also limiting the number of people in the salon?

Sounds brilliant to me. People have the choice. They can choose the one who's not taking precautions or choose the one who is. Sounds like the best of both Worlds to me.

@pollylocketpickedapocket

Everyone on here will say they prefer b. In real life a is definitely going to take over the majority of business

I would definitely vote with my feet and choose A for any business. Except for masks and ventilation the rest is mostly for show anyway with an airborne virus. I especially avoid places with all the hygiene theatre but no ventilation .

I'd prefer A but it's good to know there's someone for those to prefer B.

Last year after lockdown eased, a local hairdresser who is more like B reopened and sent a very lengthy email to all clients past and present.

It was very like this:

Root maintenance only, no foils or balayage

B definitely. I won't be going for some time due to chemo but my hairdresser sent an email saying they would still be wearing masks and visors and would require clients to still wear masks. I think it's a fair request. I don't enjoy wearing a mask but I'm kind of used to it now. I wouldn't feel comfortable going in a salon where nobody was wearing one.

I would use B

Argh posted too soon

No blowdrys
Cuts only and colour service a different day
Etc etc

Then a couple of weeks in he said he had to close the salon because nobody was coming, and he put this down to people being too scared.

I suspect, like me, many had buggered off to someone who would make them look and feel good.

@pollylocketpickedapocket

Everyone on here will say they prefer b. In real life a is definitely going to take over the majority of business

Possibly. But in the lockdown I trained DH to colour my hair and I might continue with this since it is one of those things that takes ages. He does a good enough job.

Im in self isolation because the girl who cut my hair on tuesday has tested positive. She was in full ppe and i wore my mask. Hopefully she will be okay and i wont develop symptoms. I would choose B.

I alternate between two hairdressers, one near work, the other near home, and they have now gone the way of A and B. I've booked my next appointment with B.

I have been a couple of times since May.

Stylists and clients wore masks (and both places still want clients to wear masks).

I took books and magazines but I normally do anyhow.

They gave me coffee and biscuits, and hair treatments and blowdries.

It feels very pampering.

There are a lot of retired people round here, I think they want to make their customers feel safe.

@PetuniaButterworth

My hairdresser still wears PPE and wants all her client to sign a form to confirm they've had the vaccine or she will refuse service. She's an excellent hairdresser but I won't be back

You don't sound like a close friend of the hairdresser in which case you have no idea of her circumstances. She may have underlying conditions. Or a child, friend or parent who is vulnerable. But you just go ahead being self focussed and take your business elsewhere. I'm sure she will be happier without such clients.

B definitely.

I am hoping mine is a B as I am visiting next week but will not be surprised if they are an A. I will be wearing my mask regardless.
I also encouraged my Father to visit the barber the week before the rules changed so he was sure everyone would have had a mask on.
Just our preference.

I’d see B and avoid A…..

I suspect many would seeing how many people wear masks in supermarkets etc….

@pollylocketpickedapocket

Everyone on here will say they prefer b. In real life a is definitely going to take over the majority of business

Except most people are choosing to wear a mask in supermarkets. If they do, why would they then chose A??

I wonder how B's clients will feel if their appointments get cancelled when all the stylists are off self-isolating because one of them has Covid. Because if that is the owner's, staff's, clients' approach to Covid safety, at least one of them is going to get it.

But in truth, good luck to them and everyone that goes in. I'll stick to B which will be easier if it's like tumbleweed.

@BonnesVacances

I wonder how B's clients will feel if their appointments get cancelled when all the stylists are off self-isolating because one of them has Covid. Because if that is the owner's, staff's, clients' approach to Covid safety, at least one of them is going to get it.

But in truth, good luck to them and everyone that goes in. I'll stick to B which will be easier if it's like tumbleweed.

Obviously I mean A in the first line.

I'm not and I will.

A rather disappointing thread. I clicked to hear about animals with tails posing as hairdressers.