Listening

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

The "medium" is one thing. I was more concerned about her listening to me when I was screaming, crying, and telling her that I was in an extreme amount of pain and did not like it. In retrospect, I should have stood up and left the room.

I know that not all hairdressers have listening problems. Just some of them. I am curious to know our resident hairdresser's take on it. Wendy?

I don't think there is a career field on this earth that doesn't have it's non-listeners. (Doctors, anyone?) I think when it comes to hairstylists, they act as Strangler describes because many of them have either an inflated sense of ability or self, or they truly did not understand what the person wanted. I don't know many people who get up in the morning and say "I want to really **** up someones hair! Those that do don't stay in business long. The stylist should have rephrased LS's request and visually held up her hair, indicating where the layers would occur according to her understanding. I always trust that people know their own hair and try never to just do what I think would look best, although I will offer suggestions. ("Uhm, a mullett would just make you look a bit Eighties...")

I must say in our defense that there are LOTS of people who do not or will not communicate what they would like, or who refuse to take our advice when we suggest that the haircut/color, etc they are requesting would not work for them. Just this week I had two such people, both who were adament in their choices and who called back later saying they wanted to change the style. This really pisses me off because I was very clear about the fact that I knew they would not be happy and tried very hard to steer them away from their decisions, and I also cautioned them that this is the busiest time of year for us and it would be nearly impossible to get them back in should they change their minds. Of course, being a total pushover I skipped lunch two times to fit them in, but I was not a happy girl.

LS, did they make you pay? They should not have, and they should also have offered you prods to help with the styling of your new do at no charge.