Barber in Worcester refuses to cut any woman's hair

[chocolatesun]

Sorry this is long but better to give the full story, I think.

A few months ago I popped into a local trendy looking barber in Worcester to have my three year old daughter's hair trimmed. When I asked if they cut children's hair the staff said they wouldn't cut her hair because she is a girl. Something like,'we don't cut girls' hair'. I was taken aback and embarrassed but left without making a fuss.

It did bother me, though, so I called back later to clarify and specifically asked whether they wouldn't cut her hair because: (a) she is female or (b) because they don't/can't do girl's hairstyles. The staffed confirmed it was (a). I said their refusal to cut her hair because she is female is in breach of the equalities act (if it was to do with their training and ability to cut her hair, that would be different). The staff member suggested I call back to speak to the owner.

When I called again to speak to the business owner he was incredibly rude and confirmed they do not cut females' hair. He told me they were barbers and said I should go look up the meaning of barber in the dictionary. He also called me sweetheart! He was utterly misogynistic.

His attitude took me by surprise as I'd assumed the staff had just got it wrong and had been expecting a polite call and maybe an apology from the owner.

Although I was fuming I dropped the entire thing because with a baby and a three year old I really have enough to deal with. I didn't even tell him off for calling me sweetheart as I felt he was spoiling for a fight. However I've just seen that it is is now shortlisted for the MOBAA barber awards for customer service!!

What do mumsnetters think, should I drop this completely on the basis that not every battle needs to be fought? Or am I being pathetic for letting the bully barber win?

Flavia: oh no! I'm sorry I've been unclear.

I think the barber should cut the girl's hair.

@DisturblinglyOrangeScrambleEgg @chocolatesun

My error, that part of it didn't sink in. More caffeine is required before I post today!

I suppose they could argue that you weren't a customer seeing as how they you didn't 'buy goods or services' from them as they refused to cut your daughter's hair?

customer
ˈkʌstəmə/Submit
noun
1.
a person who buys goods or services from a shop or business.

I'd love to hear your barbers pov on that userlotsofnumbers I hope you tip well!

God cutting long straight hair is the easiest hairdressing job in the world. I have done it and I would not attempt a short back and sides.

I take my sons to our local barbers. They do only cut men/boys hair but all the staff are female. I think any men wanting a unique male bonding experience there would be disappointed. The conversations I hear are mostly about holidays and weather.

Plus there's no cringy head massage during a hair wash

If you don't want a head massage say so. I hate it and always say I don't want one. My husband thinks they are great.

I always get a dry cut. Not paying money just to get my hair uncomfortably washed.

Just being pedantic here but the award isn't for customer service, it's client experience which presumably covers all aspect of their visit. So, yes, customer service but also the surroundings, products, hair style etc?

"Best client experience sponsored by Salon Services – the barber that is showcasing the very best qualities of the barbering industry and putting them in the spotlight."

modernbarber.co.uk/mobaas-modern-barber-awards/

This is bonkers. There is no battle. You took a little girl to a barbers and you were informed of the purpose of a barbers.

It’s a barber. By definition they don’t do female hair

Complete. Utter. Rubbish.

many barbers cut women's hait, especially if the woman has a very short style. Many barbars cut kids hair, again especially if they have a short style.

In fatc dd now has very short hair, and I have wondered if our local barbar woudl do it.

Why?

1. convenience, the barbars by us have a roll up and sit and wait, usually cut within and hour.
2. cost. They are ridiculously cheaper, ds hair cost £10, dds from a hairdresser costs £20.

Yes, if the style is not one they do, they can say no, I don't cut that style, but if it is a short style, why not?

Lass oh, I used to. But now I don't have to because it's not an issue.

Just being pedantic here but the award isn't for customer service, it's client experience which presumably covers all aspect of their visit

Well true, and her visit was terrible!

I mean, you could say a hotel is fantastic, the staff are excellent - sure, if they don't like you they'll shove you out of the door and turn the hose on you, but once you're in they're great - I'm still not sure such a place should be eligible for good customer experience, just because the people they're awful to haven't been allowed to use their service....

If you don't want a head massage say so. I hate it and always say I don't want one. My husband thinks they are great.

I love 'em.

Everybody saying this is nonsense: I trust you all accept that sex segregated spaces are a right for women that should not be abrogated?

Yes absolutely. I am totally in favour of single-sex retreats, holiday centres, expeditions, grooming salons, swimming ponds - whatever, places where people want to go and relax in the company of the same sex.

I can absolutely see as well why some men want a male-only space where they get their nose and ear hair trimmed, have a shave and a short-back and sides, and chat in a male-only environment. Some barbers are male-only, some aren't - if you're really desperate to go to a barber's find one that will have you.

Cheap skate 😁

"Please respect our rights for a male safe space where we can share our problems in a setting we find comfortable."

Please support us in our fight to keep female safe spaces.

If I lived near you, I'd be down there for Man Friday.

Maybe the owner felt threatened by me, that could explain his aggression.

When are we allowed to laugh?

I'm a woman with short hair and hate going to standard hairdressers. Too expensive, takes too long, they're always fussing with the styling and they just don't understand that I want it short - like properly short!

So I braved my local barbers and it was the best thing I ever did. they know how to cut short hair, they do it quickly and it costs around £15. I go back every 6 weeks and I don't even need to bother explaining what I want. they just get on with it.

They have a few female barbers at this particular place, so it feels more unisex, but it is mostly men who go in.

I believe that all options should be available to everyone - but based on the skill of the person providing the service. So a hairdresser with many years experience will charge more than a quick barber who only knows one way home to cut hair.

they should charge by the skill/ the service and the length of hair (ie how long it takes). Why this split of men and women for what is essentially the same thing (the hair on our head).

Why this split of men and women for what is essentially the same thing

Because some people like to go swimming, or have their personal grooming done, or do yoga or whatever in single-sex company

Not understanding this 'male-only space' stuff when so many women take their children to the barbers, and so many barbers are female. Surely a barber wouldn't be allowed not to rent a chair out to a female?

Surely ever hairdressers' has men having their hair cut too? Don't think I've ever been without seeing at least one male client.

Way back in the 50s hairdressers and barbers were women and men only. Dad's took their young sons to the barbers. But things are very different now.

The barber didn't say anything about it being a man only space, just that they don't cut girls hair.
A barber cuts mens hair, that's what they do. I wouldn't assume they cut girls unless it said unisex.

ParisUSM can I ask from your name if you are British or not? I've lived in the UK for 10 years but wasn't raised here so I wonder if this male-space thing is something British or specific to certain regions. Some people seem to take the male-space concept seriously as you'll see from the male poster in this thread. Other posters here found it hard to believe that I didn't know some barbers are male-only.

I'd come from the same perspective as you. Maybe this is a regional British thing?

Other posters here found it hard to believe that I didn't know some barbers are male-only

I find this quite odd. There several barber shops near my office and several unisex hair dressers. They look very different from each other. One of the barbers is more of a hipster trendy beardy place but still looks very different from the unisex hairdressers.

I have no idea if a woman wanted her hair cut in a masculine style if they would do it.

I would be very surprised if they refused to let a mother wait with her son but they certainly would not be a first choice for getting a girl's hair cut.