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

@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

I'd be booking B in a heartbeat frankly. For every person who doesn't want to wear a mask or SD I can assure you there are loads of us who do

Definitely B for me.

I'd actively avoid A. They'll all be infected or self isolating soon anyway.

B for me too. Infection aside most hairdressers are self employed and really need to minimise their need to isolate right now after the last 18 months.

I had my hair cut and coloured in a B yesterday.

All staff wore a mask. Chairs are 2m apart and the door kept open. All customers wore a mask apart from one. No fuss / drama over the non-mask wearer. Plastic scream by the receptions desk and between the wash basins. No magazines but tea/coffee and biscuit was given. Proper towels used.

Not sure if this is a good comparison though…
The fact you said it was hard to get hold of/get an appointment at A when they reopened maybe suggests they were always more popular?

@Slayduggee

I had my hair cut and coloured in a B yesterday.

All staff wore a mask. Chairs are 2m apart and the door kept open. All customers wore a mask apart from one. No fuss / drama over the non-mask wearer. Plastic scream by the receptions desk and between the wash basins. No magazines but tea/coffee and biscuit was given. Proper towels used.

How are you able to drink your tea/coffee and eat your biscuit if you’re wearing a mask?

I guess you’re only wearing a mask for some of the appointment then?

I'd choose B

Except that I discovered in lockdown that my DD can cut my hair pretty well, so I think all hairdressers have lost my business

Interesting that the majority here choose B but evidence of footfall of my town in the southwest shows the public are overwhelmingly A

I think this thread shows that there is a market for both places which retain infection control measures and places which have moved back towards normality. It’s been tough for business and I wish A and B (and all other small businesses) well after the shitshow of the past 18 months.

@PowerhouseOfTheCell

My hairdressers my mums goes to is like A, not even allowed to bring a bag, umbrella or your own reading material

Not allowing people to take a bag or their own reading material is ridiculous! I’d be looking for a new hairdresser and letting them know why. I can’t think of anything worse than sitting there for 3 hours with nothing to read!

Why did you tell us about B before A, that's screwed with my brain more than your actual dilemma

I'd definitely be supporting B. I know where I usually get my hair cut is in the A camp as last time I went there and asked what they thought about 'Freedom Day' they said they couldn't wait to ditch the masks.

I have been to a town today(in England) that I don't usually go to but which is a tourist town with a largely ageing population. It was like Freedom Day had passed them by - all shops still limiting number of customers, hand sanitiser at every door and mask signs everywhere which largely seemed to be adhered to. It actually felt really safe and civilised.

@MyriadeOfThings

I’d see B and avoid A…..

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

I suspect many are just wearing them because of social pressure. It was nerve wracking going without for the first time, though easier once I saw others going without too. I think the proportion of people wearing masks will drop significantly over the next couple of weeks, it's only day six.

B every time.I was disappointed to discover my hairdresser who I've been going to for 20 years won't have a vaccine even though she is in her 50's so now I need to go elsewhere.She said she might have it if it's needed for travel abroad

A is probably cheaper, I'd vote with my wallet.

@Rabblesthecat

Interesting that the majority here choose B but evidence of footfall of my town in the southwest shows the public are overwhelmingly A

Strange.
I would definitely choose B. Especially at the moment.

Definitely B for me. Those who choose A are selfish IMO

I would choose A and am only wearing a mask in small shops now because it seems fairer on those in there who might be worried. I'm not and in the supermarket there's plenty of space to SD so I don't, as is the case with a fair number of the staff. I agree is good there is a choice of A and B but I don't think mn is a representative sample of RL. By definition, most posters on this board are v interested / worried about Covid and thus would choose B.

@Rabblesthecat

Interesting that the majority here choose B but evidence of footfall of my town in the southwest shows the public are overwhelmingly A

It is indeed interesting that someone who has previously posted that they have always refused to wear a mask in public would start a thread that supports their agenda.

No idea why you told us about B before A.

I go to a B salon. I prefer it. Don't have to worry if I look miserable.

@MyriadeOfThings

I’d see B and avoid A…..

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

Where do you live??? Because hardly anyone is wearing masks where I’m from and hasn’t for quite some time!

So sick of the word selfish. If we did one of those stupid word collage things that Facebook creates based on the words you’ve used the most, selfish would be the biggest. We are all selfish to some degree - I’ve never seen anything (even on altruistic mumsnet) that has made me think otherwise.

Hairdressers provide coffee? How do you drink it with your arms under the cape thing?

I would choose A but will stick to my regular hairdresser whatever she decides as I love the way she cuts my hair

In theory B, but in practice neither as I discovered that my partner has a natural talent for cutting hair