# Haircuts - relaxing or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 24, 2006, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917 "2006-04-24T01:26:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/21 "2006-04-24T18:19:49Z")
Soothing is the word. I don’t know which I like better, when the barber runs that little hand vac through my hair after cutting it, or the hot lather and straight-edge blade to shave the back of my neck. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/22 "2006-04-24T18:37:12Z")
NO! I haven’t been to a salon in…lemme think…5 years? I trim it myself. Last time I went they mauled my hair around in the sink, tried to rip the comb through from roots to tip when every fool knows you detangle from the bottom up, cut off about 5 inches more than I’d asked for, and blow-dryed my head into a poofyball. Add in the fact that I really don’t like people touching me anyway, and you can see why my nerves were twanging by the time I escaped. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/23 "2006-04-24T18:55:39Z")
Yes, I generally find them soothing, but I fight the urge to nod off. In fact, the only stylist for whom I don’t nearly pass out is the woman who cuts my mom’s and aunts’ hair. I’ve been to her twice, and she’s so chatty and funny that I can’t get sleepy with her. I also almost go to sleep while having facial waxing done. My pain nerves don’t seem to be too active there and I find the hot wax delightfully soothing. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/24 "2006-04-24T19:28:58Z")
Have any of you who find haircuts relaxing ever gotten a really bad one? I don’t find them particularly relaxing because I always remember the one I got that made me look like Bill Gates on a bad hair day. I’m also in a relatively unfamiliar environment (ie, not my bedroom) without my glasses, and I might not be sure where my glasses are, which is never relaxing. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/25 "2006-04-24T19:38:27Z")
I’m of the school that the only people permited to touch me are either family or people I’m intimate with. Hairdressers and the people who wash my hair at the salon are neither of those. So, no. Haircuts are not relaxing. I like for my hair to look well groomed so I submit to the process readily but not with any kind of anticipation for a relaxing 30 minutes. Which is not a reflection on my hairdresser in any way. He’s a really cool guy from what I can tell. I just don’t like ‘strangers’ touching me all that much. It’s the same reason I could never get relaxed enough with receiving a massage. I threw my back out a few years ago a couple of visits to the chiropractor seemed to help. But that too was a bit of personal space invasion and I learned to do the stretches on my own after the third visit and didn’t bother going back. Now with an S.O., I’m all over the constant touching and being up in eachother’s grill. That’s hot! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/26 "2006-04-24T19:42:53Z")
[QUOTE=Anne Neville] Have any of you who find haircuts relaxing ever gotten a really bad one? I don’t find them particularly relaxing because I always remember the one I got that made me look like Bill Gates on a bad hair day. I’m also in a relatively unfamiliar environment (ie, not my bedroom) without my glasses, and I might not be sure where my glasses are, which is never relaxing. [/QUOTE] The really bad haircuts are why I don’t give in to the relaxing feeling. ---
**Author:** ![Grossbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba8739/32.png) [@Grossbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grossbottom)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/27 "2006-04-24T19:51:16Z")
Love them. There should be places where I can pay half and just get my hair washed and scalp rubbed at lunchtime. I am a total head and backrub prostitute. From female barbers, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![LionelHutz405](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lionelhutz405/32/536_2.png) [@LionelHutz405](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LionelHutz405)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/28 "2006-04-24T20:20:17Z")
I remember Johnny Carson interviewing Richard Pryor. Richard was saying how his girlfriend could go to the beach and lie back with her eyes closed and just enjoy it, but he could never do that. Johnny: “Why not?” Richard:” Cause I’m afraid someone is going to sneak up and stomp my head!” That’s how I feel at the barber’s. I’m tense, man. You have to be prepared. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/29 "2006-04-24T20:44:16Z")
I too, love the massage, but: [QUOTE=Johanna] I feel lucky I actually found one with long hair who understands my desire for long hair, and just trims to keep the length. . [/QUOTE] This angers me. I \*hate \* when they say I should cut it short because it’s the “fashion” or “curly hair is hard to handle” or whatever. I like it long, you stupid woman. I know how to handle it. I’m 30, for Og’s sakes. I don’t care a whit about fashion. I know it looks good. Do NOT cut it because you \*think \* it’s better. Yes, this makes me all cranky. :mad: 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/30 "2006-04-24T20:50:57Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny L.A.] Sure. But then, I could doze off at the dentist if they’d only stop talking to me and telling me to move my tongue. [/QUOTE] I have fallen asleep at the dentist. It’s the easiest way to get through it when they’re doing whatever to my mouth. I almost never get my hair done - but when I do, it’s sitting and doing nothing for an exceptionally long period of time. I have a hard time staying awake for that - I end up fighting off sleep. Having my hair washed should be relaxing, but usually, I’m thinking “You’re tangling my hair. Stop! Stop! It’s going to take forever to comb out if you keep doing that! How is that a good idea? You’re going to miss your next appointment, and it’s your fault!” ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/31 "2006-04-24T21:15:46Z")
I just had mine trimmed today. It’s relaxing when the stylist takes their time, and knows what she’s doing. Before I moved, I had a wonderful woman my age at Fantastic Sams who took 45 minutes to shampoo and trim, and I loved every minute of it. In the beginning she constantly asked if I liked how she was doing it and listened to my answers. I became a regular with her and she stopped having to ask, she remembered just what to do. I looked forward to sitting with her, and she always got a kick-ass tip. Then I moved, and it’s been a crapshoot ever since. Now, I don’t go to the expensive salons because I can’t justify the price, but even though I’m only paying 20 bucks, I still expect some care to be taken. Make sure my center part is in the _center_, not off to the side. Compare left and right not with your eyes, but by placing hair side-by-side. Start untangling from the bottom, not the top! A trim does not mean two inches. Stop eyeing the customers waiting and focus on me, the one in front of you. Take you time to do a good job and you’ll have a customer for life. Stephanie, the hair wizard, I miss you! ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/32 "2006-04-24T21:31:27Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] I too, love the massage, but: This angers me. I \*hate \* when they say I should cut it short because it’s the “fashion” or “curly hair is hard to handle” or whatever. I like it long, you stupid woman. I know how to handle it. I’m 30, for Og’s sakes. I don’t care a whit about fashion. I know it looks good. Do NOT cut it because you \*think \* it’s better. Yes, this makes me all cranky. :mad: 🙂 [/QUOTE] Me, too. I had a stylist recently (I had gone to him for 5 years) stop doing my hair. He didn’t refuse my appt, he just made rude comments to me about my lack of daring when it comes to my hair. Thing is, my hair is long and thick and curly and yes, I want a stylist to wash it, blow it dry (something I don’t do at home, it takes too long) and then yes, flat iron it. Whole process takes about 2 hours. Sorry, but I do NOT want it: permanently straightened, crimped, cut above ear length or highlighted–whatever. No, you cannot play with it–just do your damned job. And please stop yacking at me–I don’t watch Desperate Housewives or Oprah. Grrrr. I have found a good stylist who listened to me re the color and my (lack of) style. She gave me some discreet layers so that when it is straight, it doesn’t just hang there. I love it. I figure that, bottom line, I’m paying her and it’s my hair, so I get to decide. Amazing how not every stylist realizes that. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/33 "2006-04-24T21:35:04Z")
[QUOTE=Gordon Urquhart] There is a chain here in Denver (and I think they’re elsewhere) called Floyd’s in which the stylists shave your neck with warm lather and a straight razor – nice – and they also massage your neck and shoulders with one of those old-school palm machines after the haircut – very, very nice. [/QUOTE] That sounds awesome. I used to go to a barber shop in Gainesville, FL, where they shaved your neck with the hot foam and straight razor. I always felt like some old-fashioned badass or very important person of Times Past when they did that, and I loved the sensation. I generally enjoyed haircuts and found the entire experience relaxing, but now I shave my own head with electric clippers every 2 weeks or so, and haven’t paid anyone to cut my hair in about a year. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2006, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/34 "2006-04-24T23:54:16Z")
I don’t like having to go get my haircut. It’s certainly nothing I would do for fun. With that said, my Wife and I both go to the same person. Not together though. She’s an old friend of both of ours with the business set up in her home. We used to be on a volleyball team together. Real nice set up. Nice ‘shop’. I’m on time, and so is she. She’s an old friend and I can sip a beer while she cuts my hair. She’s damn good at it too. I always get a good cut. Schedule it again for 6-7 weeks and away I go. Makes it easier if you’re a regular with someone you trust, and can shoot the shit for the 20 minutes or so that it takes. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/35 "2006-04-25T00:18:57Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] This angers me. I \*hate \* when they say I should cut it short because it’s the “fashion” or “curly hair is hard to handle” or whatever. I like it long, you stupid woman. I know how to handle it. I’m 30, for Og’s sakes. I don’t care a whit about fashion. I know it looks good. Do NOT cut it because you \*think \* it’s better. Yes, this makes me all cranky. :mad: 🙂 [/QUOTE] Right on, sister. We need more assertive Rapunzels! ---
**Author:** ![Webner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/0ea827/32.png) [@Webner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Webner)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/36 "2006-04-25T01:04:53Z")
I find haircuts very tense. I am rarely satisfied, and usually have a hard time conveying to the barber what I want, so I get pretty nervous. Plus, like others have said, I have to take my glasses off, so I don’t know what it looks like until the end. Very nerve-wracking. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/37 "2006-04-25T19:35:57Z")
[QUOTE=lieu] I go to a place that provides ESPN at every station, plus tons of golf and car magazines. Usually I’m so engrossed in them I hardly notice the haircut. I did however have a past barber that was the cat’s meow. Nicest guy in the world, little old man, and near the end of the cut he’d put warm shaving cream on the back of my neck and carve it off with a straight razor from my hairline to my collar. You just can’t imagine how wonderful and relaxing that was. [/QUOTE] they do that where I go, and it really does feel wonderful. I go to Floyd’s, which just opened up in my neighborhood, but I believe is a chain. They have a rock-n-roll vibe combined with a fairly traditional barber shop look, tons of magazines, and a couple of computers if you feel like surfing while you wait. What’s not to like? ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/38 "2006-04-25T21:32:57Z")
I find it rather relaxing while having it done, but I hate going because it’s annoying to spend time on something like having my hair cut. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/39 "2006-04-25T21:46:24Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] I hate going because it’s annoying to spend time on something like having my hair cut. [/QUOTE] I generally get bored. I get my hair colored, which means that the dye has to sit on it for 30 minutes. If I don’t bring a book or magazine from home, I’m stuck with the magazines that they’ve got. I’m not interested in fashion magazines (until someone comes out with one for people who wear sandals with white socks 😃 ), and the other magazines they have seem to be parenting magazines. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917/40 "2006-04-25T21:59:11Z")
[QUOTE=Anne Neville] I generally get bored. I get my hair colored, which means that the dye has to sit on it for 30 minutes. If I don’t bring a book or magazine from home, I’m stuck with the magazines that they’ve got. I’m not interested in fashion magazines (until someone comes out with one for people who wear sandals with white socks 😃 ), and the other magazines they have seem to be parenting magazines. [/QUOTE] I used to go with my BF when he would get his bleached, which takes a couple hours. I finally got sick of sitting around that long and just sent him off to do it alone. I color my own, so it’s much easier not to mention cheaper. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haircuts-relaxing-or-not/353917.md?page=3)