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Under the shears

Haircut this evening — and no, this isn't going to become a jedi jawa kind of thing. I just wanted to say that I really hate getting my hair cut. It's always a roll of the dice. My hair is a bit funky at times, I have a weird cowlick thing in the front that causes me grief, and I never know how to accurately explain what I want.

I usually go to a place at Elk Crossings instead of a conventional barber shop because it's more convenient for me, plus my previous experiences with conventional barbers — many years ago — often turned out bad. And, I'm not one of those people who wants to chat it up in the chair either. They're pretty laissez-faire there and usually don't try to engage in conversation if the client doesn't seem willing, so this place works out pretty well on all counts. And, they tend to do a good job.

Since it's more of a salon than a barber shop, they have books of hairstyles laying around. So while I wait, I look through those and find what I'm looking for — then when it's my turn, I show it to the stylist (usually a female), she checks it out, and we're in business.

Things were a bit off this evening. First of all, I was in the chair right away and didn't get to look through the books — so I had to describe what I was after. My normal tendency is to let my hair go until I absolutely can't stand it, then I get it whacked off super short. Sometimes this is a bit surprising to the stylist, and I have to convince them, yes, I really do want it cut that short. Having the picture books there helps this process along. Without that luxury this time, it became a process of describing and convincing — and then being told I couldn't be serious about wanting to get rid of that much hair. Yeah.

After getting past that little hurdle, she started — and about halfway through, I could tell she really didn't believe what I was saying. She was cutting very timidly. I stopped her and asked her to please go get me one of the picture books so I could show her exactly what I wanted. So she did, and I quickly flipped through, found a good approximation, and pointed it out to her. And after all that, she still said, "That's really short. Are you sure?"

I looked at her briefly and said, "Listen. I do this all the time, and this is what I usually get. Please... have fun, and quit being afraid." And she finally got it, and it turned out just fine... though I had to ask her at least once more to please go just a little shorter.

If I could do it myself at home, I swear I would. But probably the best I could do myself is shave it all off. Which... sure, it'll grow back eventually, but I'm not willing to take that big of a step. As it is now, I won't have to worry about it again for awhile — and she ended up doing a good job despite all.

Posted August 11, 2009 @ 23:48:22 EDT. 2 comments.

Comments on "Under the shears":

Thank you for this inside-the-mind of what happens when a dude gets his hair cut. I have asked this question a number of times, and I've never been given a satisfactory answer. Basically, since women can use all the picture books / magazines in the world, and can just describe the cut with a descriptive cut word: shag, bob, inverted bob, long layers, etc., I've asked my guy friends, "But what do you SAY when you tell the hair cutter person what you want?" I've gotten responses from caveman-like grunts accompanied by hand gestures, to "We don't say anything," and my frustration at not knowing remained.

Until now.

And I am not kidding or being facetious -- I've always wondered and have often asked.

# Posted by Jennifer on August 13, 2009 @ 00:11:57 EDT.

The caveman grunt and gesture is definitely the norm, at least for me.

# Posted by Brad Mills on August 13, 2009 @ 21:57:41 EDT.

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