Thursday, November 12, 2009

Bad Hair Day

PhotobucketI have been letting my hair grow, just because I have never worn it long. My mother insisted on keeping it very short, and every time it grew past my ear lobes, she'd have it cut. I swore that when I grew up, I'd let it grow long enough to sit on. But, with one thing and another, it always seemed more practical to keep it relatively short.

I didn't have anything better to do during the summer and, knowing that I am not getting any younger, I realized that if I wanted to have long, long hair, I'd better "git-er-done". It was now or never. So, I set out to see how long I could let it get before I ran screaming to my hairdresser and begged him to "Cut it off! Cut it all off!"

As it grew I learned some things. 1. My hair grows very fast. After about four months, it hung past my shoulders. 2. I didn't have a clue what to do with it. 3. Long hair sheds. A lot.

So, when I finally got to the beauty shop, my hairdresser nearly fainted. It must have rattled him pretty badly, because, sad to say, he gave me a very bad hair cut.

He started out telling me he had been having trouble breathing, and then proceeded to talk non-stop all through the shampooing, cutting and drying. He kept leaving, to do other things such as fetching and carrying for the other two hairdressers and answering the phone, all the while jabbering away. After going to him for 20+ years, I knew that he was easily distracted, so I wasn't surprised. However, I did wish he would stop looking at me in surprise as though he had forgotten I was there when he finally came back to his station, and asking me how he had cut my hair when it was short, as though I hadn't darkened his door in decades, instead of just a few short months.

I went home looking like someone had plopped a bowl on my head and cut around it, but at least it's short again. And, I can predict that when I go back in about six weeks, he's going to look appalled and ask, "Who cut your hair?"

Stay tuned.

18 comments:

kenju said...

I think I might go to someone else before I went back to him - if ever. If he can't give you almost undivided attention during the time you are there, go elsewhere.

Looking to the Stars said...

Your hairdresser sounds like a hoot :)

I haven't gone to a hairdresser for 16 years (OMG has been that long, sigh). I trim my hair myself but I decided to stop dyeing my hair and go totally grey. Its been quite the adventure :)

I hope your hairdresser does a better job for you next time :)

Anonymous said...

If he does say that, remind him that it was himself who hacked into it like a chainsaw.

I've had short hair and long hair during my life, and let me tell you, the older I get the shorter it gets.

Surfie said...

I'm in the opposite camp. I've ALWAYS had long hair - down to my bum. But in June 2008 I decided to have it all chopped off and go for a pixie cut. It really took some getting used to! I'd put on a tshirt and reach up to pull my hair out from under it, and there wasn't any hair there! Now I'm doing to the hair dresser a LOT more often, instead of just going to my Mom's house and having her straighten up the ends when they get ragged. Long hair is SO much easier!

NitWit1 said...

Several years ago I decided short, straight and gray would do me the rest of my life. My hair grows fast, but being part Indian, it does not like perms.

Fortunately my best friend is also my hair dresser and we have arrived at a truce with my unruly hair.

Janie B said...

Maybe a new hairdresser is in order??? I've been letting mine grow out again, too. I feel younger with long hair.

betty said...

kenju and Janie B: Oh, he'll do a good job next time. He just gets carried away every now and then.

Looking to the Stars: He is very amusing. And, he knows all the juicy gossip.

Jewels Diva: He'll just laugh and straighten the mess out.

Surfie: I'll bet that was quite a change!

NitWit1: I let my hair go gray several years ago. It was too much of a hassle to have to go for a touch-up every few weeks. My hair turned gray around my face first, so within a few days of a dye job, I had this gray fringe peeping out. I finally surrendered to time and tide.

Arkansas Patti said...

I realize you have faith in him but boy would I reconsider. The last time that happened to me, I found out the guy was "on" something that day.
Afraid I am in the kenju camp.

Darlene said...

I am trying to let my hair grow to hide the ugly cable that sticks out of my head like an antenna. I have a cochlear implant and the cable attaches the processor behind my ear to the implant higher up.

I am coming to the conclusion that the cable doesn't look as bad as my hair style now. I have to curl it every few days when before I could just shampoo and go. I think I am about to have it chopped off again.

betty said...

Arkansas Patti: You're probably right. Changing hairdressers is almost as hard as changing doctors, though. lol

Darlene: I found that long hair was really annoying. It was shedding everywhere. I'm relieved to have it short again, even if it does look bad right now.

Grayquill said...

What a shame - find a person who doesn't think his customer is an after thought. I kept getting the feeling the hair guy was thinking...#%^$ these customers are keeping me from my real work."
Sorry for the bad hair day...I know for at least my lady that makes for a very bad day.

Deanna said...

Do like my friend does. She gets her hair cut, then doesn't like it, and chops on it more. She actually does a pretty good job.

I've been going to my gal for over 15 years. If she ever quits, I'll just have to let my hair go wild(er).

Tincanman said...

First, I wish I still had hair so I could have this problem, but then that's another story. Personally, I think I'd get another person do do my hair if I were you--no matter how hard it is. Keep looking till you find someone who actually cares about you as a customer instead of an 'interruption' to his very important day.

Betty said...

Grayquill and Tincanman: I shudder to think of changing hairdressers. I have two friends who have been making the rounds of beauty shops in the vain hope of finding a hairdresser who can actually cut hair. I'll wait until one of them finds one likes, then maybe I'll try it, too.

Deanna: I have been known to take the scissors to my bangs because they are never short enough when I leave the beauty shop. But, I don't know about cutting the rest myself.

Gianetta said...

I had a lady cut my hair that seemed to have Parkinsons or something. She had the Shakes big time. Made me nervous!

oklhdan said...

I'm just happy my hairdresser hasn't told ME not to come back. I never seem to make up my mind how I want my hair cut. I'm a no frills girl with delusions of glamor queen!

Margaret said...

Well, Betty, I hope that it turns out better for you soon!! This hairdresser sounds like he is too blamin' busy to tend to his customer...Cutting your hair is a traumatic experience~!! Mine is long and grey, wear it in a french braided..or long with barrettes...
I am "chicken" to get it cut~!!
Been absent from your GREAT BLOG..Missed you...Been out with life and health issues...*sigh*..
Come see me sometime when time allows...

Patti said...

I would say find someone else, but I've gone to the same hairdresser for more than 30 years. So I guess I'm not one to talk.

My thick hair is shorter than it used to be. But when it gets too short I don't like it. I've never colored it, just going to let it get gray,,,