Hairdressers who don't listen

see if you can find a local hairdresser who will come to your house! we have quite a few round here who will willingly make an appointment to cut your hair in your own house... that way you can have exactly what you want as a) if they don;t like the style they're cutting for you in won;t matter as no one will see them doing it and b) its your house so you're in control, rather than their salon where they are boss!
check out the yellow pages or local phonebook so see if you can find hairdressers advertising for this service. Good luck!

It's a shame that you can't find a stylist who will do what you want. My suggestion is to shop around. A good consultation should always precede a good haircut. Pictures are worth 1,000 words. If you can take a photo to the stylist, and they still refuse to do that for you, then get up out of the chair and move on. You owe them nothing if they won't give you at least some version of what YOU are paying for. I'm a stylist in the US and communication is key. Perhaps you could check out a Sassoon salon or training academy in your area. They usually get it right. Keep looking. You will find a good stylist because they're out there, and not as scarce as you might think. A lot of us still have pleasing you as our main goal, because without YOU, we won't be working.

Hacked and look like an Idiot 29-Jan-2010 22:45 if you dont like your service,then do it yourself oh I could do it better not !

What they want and what they tell you are 2 completely different things. Yes,a picture helps us to visualize what you require,however,if the photo is sleek,shiney & long & you come in with hair that is course, short, curly & frizzy then no amount of titivating,cutting or product is going to make you look like the picture. Sadly,a lot of people do not like hearing the truth. When pushed to carry out their demands, even when we try to suggest an alternative, suddenly it's our fault when they walk out resembling a rodents rectum! Thankfully, I do not encounter this problem much as I have a full clientele, some of who I have been doing for 19 years,so obviously I do listen. People wander why i'm so unsociable outside of work,well after reading some of these comments, is it any wander I dislike the human race in general. Dealing with the deluded and rude public every day of my working life has made me this way. So,come on ladies and gents,give us a break,and at least have a bit of common sense, you may even find you get a style you like. Manners and noncondescending discussions with your stylist will get you a long way! If all else fails and you're still encountering Sweeny Todd, may I suggest you try another salon on recommendation or your last resort buy a wig!

Time to hear from a hairdresser with 24 years continuous employment on this touchy subject,i think. While I completely sympathize with the afore mention's gripes & various other persons on this page,please let me put my point across. Yes,there are many stylists like the ones you have encountered. A lot have not had 5 years training as I did under a Day Release City and Guilds course while working in a salon to gain Indentures as proof of apprenticeship. Many think they are qualified after a quick course at the college or just working in a salon-not acceptable,however,after all my years of hairdressing i've come to the conclusion I either come from another planet or I speak a different language. Guess what,guys,i have yet to master the art of walking on water and I don't read minds. Sadly many people who come in seem to think we can work miracles.continued on next comment.

I have SO had that experience! it has got to the point of seriously considering taking a pair of scissors to my hair and then asking them very nicely to deal with it... (i'm not a vindictive person, its just that i've had the same hairstyle since I was 8. shoulder length and...well...thats it really...)
come on hairdressers - I don't care if you think it won't suit me! i'm paying you aren't i?

I just had the same experience in Bromley Kent. I'd give the name of the salon, but it will probably be censored. I told them what I wanted and ended up having an argument with them. I did not allow them to cut my hair the way they wanted and ended up walking out with wet hair. I came home and did it myself as best I could and every-one says how nice it looks - even before they knew I cut it myself. Who is the customer here?

Oh, I completely sympathize with you!!! My friend (a guy) had the same problem. He almost looked "bald" every time he went for "a wee trim". Well, the barber no longer makes any money off him. (You'd think these people had a brain!!). I do it for him. I give him his little trim every month. And exactly how he wants it. (Not much intelligence is needed to trimming a guy's hair).
PS I get free monthly car maintenance!!

By the way, we have no "smart" hairdressers in Canada either...

I couldn't agree more! Maybe you should pretend that you're a guy.
I've been desperately trying to grow my hair out for half a year and every time I ask for them to "tidy it up but keep the length", or "just take a little bit off" or "style it so it will grow out nicely", all they seem to hear (wherever I go) is: "Short back and sides please."

Today was the most infuriating as i'd finally managed to get it as long as I liked but it had just got a little too long so I went and asked for just a tiny bit off. Big mistake. Now I'm back to square one with a short back and sides and I'll have to wait another half a year before it's anywhere near long enough.

I too hate hairdressers.
They do not know English, they are Blind to pictures, they do not know Math.
Explain to them what you want until you are blue in the face.
Everything you want, they give you everything you didn't want.
1/2 an inch is a trim, not a 4 inch hackoff!! Not a bob either!!
Show them the 360 degree picture. They are blind.

What is wrong with these people? After asking for a 1/2 trim, I got a 4 inch hackoff.
Instead of going back each month for a trim, now it will take at least 2 years to grow it all back.
Baaawwww!!
I hate hairdressers.

Why do hairdressers insist on cutting hair too short?I ask for half an inch to be cut off and I always endup with half an inch on my head.What is their problem.?

I think the problem is rural/ small town hairdressers. There's a reason why the best go to the cities. I just had my hair cut this morning, took a photo in and said that was EXACTLY how I wanted it, and what do you know, came out with something completely different. Come to think of it, I have NEVER had a haircut I was completely satisfied with.