The only time I’ve ever had clippers used on the top is when I’ve used a home hair cutting kit or had a relative use one on me.
Otherwise, I’ve always specified a number to use on the back and sides and how much to scissor off the top.
I don’t think my hair type is the most common- dark, thick, wavy, curly when it gets longer. Most guys like me seem to have thinner and straighter hair. That said, I’ve rarely had much of an issue having any random person at a “salon” cutting it.
I haven’t seen a barber in 20 years and I don’t go to high end women’s places either. I just go to a place like Great Clips and let anyone cut it. And I don’t even pay $12 or whatever’s been cited as cheap. I use the coupons for 5.99, 6.99, 7.99 or go to one of their cheap “events.” I always tip at least $5.
I give them my phone number. They say “Hi, Actual. Still getting the #3?” “Yep.” “OK.”
I have a part on the left side. I don’t always use it. Mostly I don’t comb my hair at all, but for it to look OK it has to be cut to be parted there. So I say “See. I have this part here. I might not use it, but I have to be able to.” They say OK and do what they do.
For sideburns- I’ve been wearing a very short beard for 5 years and don’t know why I didn’t before and can’t imagine going back. So they usually just “clean it up” and drag the #3 through the side burn area. Prior to the beard I always had sideburns at least 2/3 down the ear, but people would always mess it up like Jerry Seinfeld’s chest hair. So I would always say not to touch the bottoms at all and just “clean it up.” I could easily even them out and make a good line when I shaved.
Then they cut the top with scissors, look into the mirror, pout, and ask if the length is ok. They slide their fingers up and down the length and see if I want another half inch or so. The worst thing that can happen is that the hair is a little too short and it will look perfect in 2 weeks. If it’s not cut short enough I just come back a couple weeks sooner.
Lastly, they ask if I want the neck square or rounded. I get it rounded.
If you saw me now, you would think I haven’t had my hair cut in several months. I haven’t- probably around the beginning of the school year, Sept-ish. It’s around 2.5 inches long on the top and 2 inches where it is very messy on the neck.