The mirror at the hairdresser... and the hairdresser...

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Has anyone else found it uncomfortable when they make you sit facing the mirror the whole time at the salon? I always realize how angry I look and desperately want to look away... and then I sit there trying to make appropriate facial expressions, but I'm not really sure what would be appropriate... do people smile while their hair is being cut? Wouldn't that just be creepy instead?

Then, there's all the questions... "Where do you work?" "How did you get into that?" "Where did you go to high school?"
I've noticed, however, that the stylists at the cheapo places tend not to ask so many questions. If only they could get rid of the mirror, though.

Completely, I hate it too!
I just bring a book in to read - takes my eyes away from the mirror, and eliminates any conversation

Because I have long hair, they usually make me keep my head straight so they can cut it. That means I can't read. You are probably a guy, too, right? I've noticed that when guys get their hair cut, the stylists ask way fewer questions. They expect you to want to talk if you're a woman. I suspect even if I would be able to read a book, if I were getting a buzz cut and didn't need to sit straight, I would get interrupted. Women think it's appropriate to interrupt other women when they are reading because for most women socializing takes priority over other activities.

Actually, I am a girl (feels kinda odd to be assumed to be a guy). I never came across a hairdresser who didn't allow me to read. I learnt the art to stop people wanting to talk to me quite well. Short answers, long silences, and then I can start reading my book. They generally don't tend to interrupt me, and if they do I repeat the same process - short answers, long silences, back to my book. I honestly just didn't care what they thought about me, I find getting my hair done completely exhausting so I do everything I can to make it easier.

Have you found this with all different hairdressers, or just the one? I am in Australia, so not sure if maybe things might be a little different there. I usually put them off talking with me so much sometimes, they just start talking with the other hairdressers around them. Or, through not even trying, I come across to them as boring enough that they prefer to talk with other hairdressers rather than me

I just realized I never look in the mirror when getting my haircut. I also have no idea how to describe how I want my haircut, ive been going to the same person all my life. I get pretty much the same haircut every time. one time I went to a barber who was closer I got a horrible haircut.

Sorry about jumping to conclusions. I wasn't sure, that's why I did ask the "right?" part.
Most hairdressers have been like that. I will try to look at the floor or at my lap, and they'll be like, "I need your head over here so I can trim this hair..." and then they dive into the questioning. My answers are usually short and not too giving, but I've actually learned from a friend of mine that they are trained to converse, and they think they won't get tipped if they don't. I've noticed with most women that it's the norm to interrupt one another during things like homework or reading. I remember once I tried closing my eyes during a haircut to just relax and daydream, and the woman said really loud, "Oh, are you enjoying it?" Kinda made me feel like a perv.



When I was a young kid, I had my mom put my hair in braids all the time. Then, I realized that doing that was sorta making me a target to the other kids. Ever since, I try to try a little. Whether it's getting a few feathery layers or something... I've noticed also that it's pretty much impossible for any stylist to do the same haircut twice on my hair, probably because I have so much of it. So even though I have a style that I ask for every time, they tend to screw it up. And due to their training, stylists around here at least tend to follow your life story if you keep going back to them, so the questions only get more and more draining. Which is why I don't have a regular stylist anymore.

I think another part of it is that I never knew I was legitimately different. I knew I was weird. And I never wanted people to think I was a creep, even though they often did despite my efforts. And I still really wish to be normal...because I want to be able to find a job and live the life I've always dreamed about... so I tend to care too much, I guess.

I hate the whole mirror/small talk thing too. I always look miserable and depressed, even when I'm not, though I never really gave much thought to how that would make the hairdresser feel. I don't enjoy the small talk either as I never know what to say, so I give one word answers then have to sit through long awkward silences as I try to come up with something interesting to say, by which time they've asked another mundane question. I also have yet to understand the point of small talk with strangers, why would someone I'm never going to see again care about where I go to school or what I did with my summer? And I'm never sure if I'm supposed to ask questions back, or which ones would be appropriate, but not boring or obvious. Now you mention it, getting my hair cut is a lot more trouble than it's worth. I'm just glad my mom's new husband is a barber

I hate it too, only get my hair cut when I absolutely have to (usually every 3-4 years) which explains why it's almost down to my waist! Last time, the teacher I work with cut it for me in the classroom at lunchtime which was so much better than going to the hairdressers. Can you get someone you know to cut it for you?

I've always found getting my haircut to be uncomfortable, but you know what, I endure it. I focus more on the outcome rather than the unpleasantness of the situation.

Yes, I hate it. When I watch myself and the hairdresser in the mirror I realise how 'wrong' I look. I look like a ghost that's been photo shopped onto a picture. I find the whole hairdressing experience quite difficult, especially the chit chat and how close the hairdresser stands. For this reason I usually only go once a year as that is about the longest I can go before my Mum tells me I need to go. I've begged my boyfriend to cut it, but he has so far refused. I'm a little tempted to cut it myself, but my hair is very thick so it's probably quite difficult to do.

I hate mirrors as a general rule so, yes, I hate having to stare into one when getting my hair cut. However, I have never been able to get up the courage to go to a hair salon, barber, etc. so I still have my mom do it for me. I also dislike them at gyms and try to find things to do there that do not require me to stare at my own reflection.

Absolutely OP mirrors make as much sense to me as looking at other people's faces. If i need to use one (to do my hair, for example) I focused on the area worked on, and nothing more. I must admit its easy to do when all you do to your hair are pony tails and braiding.

I hate them I keep my eyes closed when getting my hair cut

I hate going to the hairdresser .. All that small talk. Which is why for th last 10 years my husband has cut my hair for me with his clippers.

Oh my gosh, I totally agree with you! I have the exact same problem as you and it's usually an awfully long few hours while I'm getting my hair done because I have so much hair. I hate looking at myself in the mirror and I usually stare at something on the counter instead or to the side and maybe look up once in awhile, I do it in a way that's not obvious to the stylist though.

As for the conversation part I'm usually the same way. Certain stylists really bug me with their conversation and I have to try to think of something half decent to say. It's usually really awkward. I think I've only clicked into conversation with less than a handful of hair stylists in my life time.

I react so nastily to hairdressers asking me personal questions that they just give up on me as a social being and stick to their job. Yay for curt answers.