# Why can't I get a decent haircut? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 25, 2000, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410 "2000-09-25T00:48:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/1 "2000-09-25T00:48:20Z")
How much should a man have to pay for a haircut and why do I have so much trouble finding someone that can cut my hair correctly? I finally found a girl a couple of years ago that did a great job. But she recently has had a baby and is taking a few months off. So I went to the same salon but used a different girl and she almost fucking shaved my head! Seems she had a number one guard on her electric clippers while cutting over my ears. She also left sissor cuts all in my hair! Before her, and my regular girl I mentioned above, I went to two or three barbers here in town and they butchered my hair. The only other alternative in this town is to go to the old school guy downtown who will whiteside wall your fucking head no matter how you tell him to cut it! Ok granted my hair is very fine in texture and each sissor cut shows unless it is cut correctly but how fucking hard could it be to learn to cut hair… any hair?? And every time I go to my salon or any salon in this town I have to set and wait while an old lady gets a $25 perm. I usually come in on the last part of the perm cause the beautician has over booked so I have to set and watch as they undo each and every little friggin gagging curl. It gets on my last fucking nerve. A haircut here usually costs 7-10 dollars but I always tip 5, but I still can’t compete with the lil old ladies and their 25-30 dollar perms. Shit ---
**Author:** ![Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archer)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/2 "2000-09-25T01:13:38Z")
Here is how to avoid the problem. Shave your head, no more problems with barbers, no more scissor marks, no more inept stylists, no more white walls, no more complaints. ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/3 "2000-09-25T02:05:14Z")
Will do, right after you post a picture of yourself with your head shaved. I’ll be watching for it. ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/4 "2000-09-25T02:30:33Z")
Aha, honey, Next time you need a haircut, come on out here to California. My pseudo-sister will cut it, for free, just to prove it can be done. I share your pain: my fine, straight hair should be on Marcia Brady. Of course, travel expenses will raise the cost of those haircuts, but you’ll look GREAT. OK, greatER!! ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/5 "2000-09-25T02:37:25Z")
DL you are sweet to offer. Please send a ticket asap. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/6 "2000-09-25T03:03:19Z")
Well, I get lovely haircuts for $10Cdn at this great shop I found. Interestingly, it mostly caters to Black women (I’m neither). How many of the hair salons in your city have you tried? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/7 "2000-09-25T03:17:50Z")
Not to continue the racial profiling in this thread, but I have always preferred the way Italian people, male or female, cut my hair. I guess it has something to do with how seriously they take their own hair in their culture. As more East Indian people move into the area I have gotten good cuts from them. Again, it reinforces my theory because so many have such FABULOUS hair–thick, wavy, raven tresses. OTOH, one Russian woman with a bad do left me looking like a soldier in the Red Army–nearly shaved sides, straight up on top. Never get a haircut from somebody with crappy hair. I have really opened myself up for it, haven’t I? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/8 "2000-09-25T06:17:04Z")
I always go to the local beauty school to get my hair cut. I never get the same student twice, but I’ve always had at least acceptable cuts. Sometimes they’re really fantastic. I think it’s because the student KNOWS that a teacher will check the cut over before I leave. The teachers are always careful to comb my hair thoroughly, and see if there’s anything wrong. See if you’ve got a beauty school in your area. They’re cheap, and they usually do a good job. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/9 "2000-09-25T08:56:48Z")
I bought a pair of clippers from Target for $10.00. I use the #2 guard and get a perfect cut every time. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/10 "2000-09-25T09:58:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by aha \* > **A haircut here usually costs 7-10 dollars** I think you’ve just answered your own question. Go to a better salon. ---
**Author:** ![Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archer)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/11 "2000-09-25T12:11:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by aha \* > \*\*Will do, right after you post a picture of yourself with your head shaved. I’ll be watching for it. \*\* Okay, if you don’t like the idea of shaving your head, how about a Flow Bee? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/12 "2000-09-25T13:23:10Z")
Paying more for a haircut does not guarrantee a better style. Bill Gates probably pays more than $10 for a trim and look at him. ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/13 "2000-09-25T14:40:04Z")
I started going to a little shop around the corner from where I work after taking our clients there all the time. It is run by a very nice Vietnamese lady and I have never once received a bad haircut from her. I usually get positive comments on how I look from people afterwards. Cost: $12.00 ---
**Author:** ![Freyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freyr/32/5763_2.png) [@Freyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freyr)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/14 "2000-09-25T14:48:56Z")
You could try the other direction, don’t cut your hair at all. I’ve not cut my hair in 23 months and love the long, flowing look of it. Of course, for the first year, it’ll look like crap. I recommend investing in a few hats. But after that, it’s fantastic. The money you save in haircuts and styling can be used for hair care products. I recommend **Paul Mitchel Shampoo #1, #3** (use only once a week) and **Paul Mitchel Conditioner**. ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Vampire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Space\_Vampire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vampire)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2000, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/15 "2000-09-25T18:15:48Z")
Another vote for clippers. For the price of two haircuts I can now give myself a trim at my convenience… And it’s a better look than any barber’s ever given me. Simple is good. ---
**Author:** ![timmar68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@timmar68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timmar68)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2000, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/16 "2000-09-26T02:32:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by aha \* > **Ok granted my hair is very fine in texture and each sissor cut shows unless it is cut correctly but how fucking hard could it be to learn to cut hair… any hair??** Not to excuse a bad haircut, but it is way harder than it looks to cut hair. Especially fine hair (and blonde hair). If that was a rhetorical question then please disregard this post. (If this wasn’t the pit then I’d have a smiley at the end of that sentence) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2000, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/17 "2000-09-26T03:03:55Z")
A vote against clippers, since both **aha** and I have fine heads of hair and are of an age when one flaunts that rather than pretend one’s bald. There’s not much of a cut you can give yourself that leaves an attractive amount of hair behind. And I don’t know where people get the idea that I want to see their knobby, scarred up scalps. But I am curious about USING clippers. I tried them on my dog–thick, fine hair–and don’t get more off than if I were just combing him with the clippers. I have tried dog-specific as well as people clippers with the same results. What’s the secret? No, that sounds too MPSIMS. What’s the secret, assholes? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2000, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-get-a-decent-haircut/34410/18 "2000-09-26T06:00:28Z")
My cousin dropped out of college to go to beauty school. She’s been the only one to cut my hair for… geez. 7 years or so. Does a stellar job. Perfect every time. $5 at her house, $10 at the shop. Man, Dot’s the best. –Tim