How to deal with not so nice hairdresser advice

[Beckstar]

I dislocated my right shoulder about 6 weeks ago so I've been going to the salon once a week and getting shampooed, conditioned, detangled and braided. I use dry shampoo on my roots between visits. I went last night and I can honestly say that the hairdresser was one of the pushiest people I've ever run across.

1. (as she unbraids my hair and holds it out to its full length. The look on her face was like she was holding a sack of poop) "Have you thought about cutting your hair?"
2. (still survying the length) "When is the last time you had a haircut?"
3. (after I repeatly told her I am growing my hair longer because I love long hair) "I can usually talk people into letting me cut their hair and they leave very happy. It's easy to take care of and doesn't tangles."
4. (she asked what I use to shampoo) "Why do you use that shampoo (Aussie Moist) it will damage your hair. We have X brand and X detangler that will work much better."
5. (I specifically said that I always wear my hair in a braid or braided bun but can't braid it myself.) "Would you rather have a ponytail than braid?"
6. (I told her my hair hasn't been properly detangled in about a week) "You need to see a doctor. This isn't normal. (Referring to the gobs of hair that came out well she combed my hair.) I kept telling her it was normal. 100+ hairs a day + 7 days = 700 or more hairs. It is going to look like more when you have long hair.
8. "Do you have psoriasis?" (my scalp was very flaky but not scaly or scabby. Hello? It has been a week since my hair was last shampooed. I have been using dry spray during the week. Of course I'm going to have a flaky scalp.) "Well, I'm not a doctor but that doesn't sound right. Are you on any medications? Hormones?" (Yep, not a doctor.)

She went through a list of all different shampoos and was trying to explain what they did and I got to the point where I'd cut her off and tell her exactly why the shampoo didn't work and what the ingredients were and what they did. Basically she wasn't listening to me and taking into account that I might know what I wanted. A shampoo, condition, detangle and a braid. I did a lot of this and didn't let her get to me. She wanted to just trim the ends...um, no way are you getting near my head with scissors. I smelled an "oops" moment. I didn't get mad, I wasn't snippy back, and I hope she learned a few things from me.

(I hope no English Majors read this. )

[Long_hair_bear]

Well, I don't have your problem because my hair dresser has been my hair dresser for 7 years and she knows that I have hair cut phobia and will not approach me with scissors. That lady is lucky. Had it been me, I'd have walked out. Just tell her it's your hair, not hers, and thanks for the advice, but no thanks. If she's still pushy, walk out. You are paying her to do what you want, not what you don't want and would regret.

[Miss Catrina]

I think I would have walked out. Good lord.

[Hollyfire3]

I would have walked out no questions asked it is good you handled it so well i would not have. I once had a hairdresser who told me my hair could not grow long and lookgood and she gave me gappy terrible long layers for years to boot, not fun 4 yrs of my hair growing life, now i only go for color to her i have a better hair dresser for cuts.

[Mairéad]

Maybe it's just me, but I would have already gotten wordy with her. I would have told her that I want a wash, a detangle, and braid; nothing else. Does she really expect someone with a dislocated shoulder to come in with their best looking hair?

[ChloeDharma]

It does beg the question why she feels entitled to bully people into cutting their hair AND boasts about it.

I hope next time you ask to be seen by a different hairdresser, explaining why.

[roxee]

wow what a rude woman, it sounds like you dealt with her very graciously (and a heck of alot better than I could of lol)

[jeanniet]

Maybe it's just me, but I would have already gotten wordy with her. I would have told her that I want a wash, a detangle, and braid; nothing else. Does she really expect someone with a dislocated shoulder to come in with their best looking hair?

This. Of course if you can't lift your arms your hair is not going to look great after a week--why did she think you were going to the salon in the first place?

I think there are many, many great stylists out there who would have done exactly what you asked for, and commiserated with you in the bargain. It must be terribly frustrating to not be able to care for your own hair! It's just too bad that this stylist couldn't do that.

[holothuroidea]

PPPPFFFFFFFTTTTTTT How rude!

Make sure you remember her name and specifically request not to have her next time you have to go.

I'm sorry she was so pushy. Sometimes people are so wrapped up in themselves they don't realize they are dealing with another human being. She probably thought she was the greatest ever and she was going make it look just like she wanted it to, completely disregarding that it was someone else's hair and someone else's feelings.

[Beckstar]

Normally I would have said, no thank you and walked out but that's at times when I'm able to care for my own hair. I was there and really needed my hair washed. The one redeeming thing was the amazing scalp massage she gave as she was washing my hair. I guess she's used to people coming in not really knowing what they want and looking for suggestions. I know what I want and no one can change my mind or pressure me into doing anything with my hair that I don't want to. I only saw her because the girl who has been washing my hair wasn't in that day. That is the first not so great experience I've had. Everyone else has been very nice and compassionate. And I hear about how healthy my hair is and how it is in good shape...guess she didn't like long hair or just needed to make some sales.