Barber shop ettiquette

Souness

Souness

Souness

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My local barbers has two guys, one of them, Jay, cuts my hair really well, the other, Jack, makes me look like a bit of a tool. Usually I couldn't care less who does it, but I have an occasion coming up which I need to be looking top notch for. I really want the good guy to cut my hair for this, but when you walk in there it's always a 50/50 chance who you get. Normally, I think it's fine to ask to wait for a certain guy, but in this case it's a tiny little shop and there are only 2 of them, so it could get a little awkward, especially as I will be returning there in the future and don't want the other guy to be holding a grudge.

Would anyone walk in and say "I want to wait for Jay", if Jack spins the chair around and tells you to hop in, or should I come up with a more subtler plan such as walking past the shop window until Jay is free (could result in many trips to the shop to be 100% certain of getting Jay), or even getting a fake phone call on my mobile if I go in and get the wrong one?
 
As much as the typical OcUK response would be to raise derision and merry hell, I have to say I know where you're coming from. Not in the barbershop sense, as I shave my own head at home; much easier. :D However I can see why you wouldn't want to feel awkward here, or embarrass the other guy.

Thing is though, although I've not used a barber in a long time, I'm pretty sure they're well used to people having "favourites" and whatnot. They won't give it a second thought; everyone cuts hair differently and it's only expected that clients will develop a preference. Just say "No thanks mate, the other guy's better" :p Well not really, but crack a joke if you must to feel more comfortable, and get on with it. They really won't care. ;)
 
I do it all the time at my barbers...its down the road from me and its only run by the owner and his assistant whos a woman. The owner knows how i like my hair cut so i have him do it for me even if it means me waiting an hr for him. Usually the guys that go in there will wait for him whereas the woman is just left standing there.

No awkwardness at my barber shop.

Seriously though just say ill wait for Jay:confused:...if he takes offense to that then just tell him that you like the way jay cuts your hair....simples
 
You're the one paying your money so just ask for the one you want to cut your hair, maybe it'll be the right one who is free to cut your hair anyway but if not then just ask for them.
 
If you feel awkward saying you want a specific guy just pretend to read a mag or something and if the wrong guy is ready for you just let the next person in the queue go ahead of you.
 
i have this same issue lol

the guy who owns it has cut my hair since i was 11 and a few years back he hired this woman....and the less said the better about her.

my solution was to find out what days she didnt work and go then.....because im pathetic lol
 
lol @ this thread... its your money man. why would you continue paying for a service that you weren't happy with in the first place :confused:
 
Go in ask for Jack and be done with it, I'm sure you wont be the first or the last to ask for someone instead of just taking the first one available.

I've even seen people just wait for the young fit looking lass to be ready, instead of going for the plumper older looking one.
 
I don't see what the problem with asking for your favourite barber.
When i get my hair cut, i always have the same lady who takes her time no matter how busy she is and does a consistently good job (in my eyes!) She only does male cuts on Friday along with another hairdresser and i always phone a day before to check she's going to be in. She also doesn't ask if i'm going on holiday this year so i tip her well.


You're worrying about it unnecessarily. Jack isn't going to go home crying at night as he couldn't do your hair and surely it doesn't take much balls to ask for Jay.
 
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