Serial Hairdresser Offender
I had a haircut today and managed to upset 4 hairdressers in the process, which I think is a record. Two possibly deserved it, two I regret.
1. George. Deserved.
I first went into 'George's' barbers but there was a long queue so I left straight away. But the proprietor, presumably George himself, was having none of that and rushed outside and assured me that I would only have to wait 5 minutes. I don't know why I accepted this because I had very little confidence in his statement and knew it would annoy me if it turned out he was lying. The man in front of me in the queue had received the same treatment I think because he was already quite irritable about the long wait and tried to leave but George kept assuring him that he would be seen in a matter of seconds. So after waiting for nearly 15 minutes I hurried out too quickly for George to get to me. I ducked as the bullets flew past me...
2. Receptionist #1. Regret.
I went into a nearby salon where I had once had a haircut from an enchanting Eastern European woman who fancied Tony Blair. There was also a queue but I couldn't see how long it was. The receptionist said that the wait wouldn't be long. I asked the price and she said $19. When I had an earned income I never used to ask the price and as a result I now find that I don't know the price of anything. For some reason I mistakenly had it in my head that haircuts cost about $10 excluding the tip. So I told the receptionist that I was surprised at how expensive it was, and she seemed rather taken aback. I then left. In retrospect, I should have stayed there and asked for Tony's admirer. Anyone who loves Tony that much must be worth a wait and $19.
3. Receptionist #2. Deserved sort-of.
Then I went into another salon that has the two best barbers in the area: Arthur and another man whose name I don't know. The receptionist there also cuts hair. In all the years that I have been having my hair cut every month or so (i.e. since I was about 10) the hairdresser has only ever made a mess of it once. It was her. It was lopsided and jagged. I was embarrassed walking around town until it had grown out. Also, I have only ever seen the person next to me in a hairdressers have the hairdresser make a complete mess of their hair once. That was her too. She was cutting the hair of the man next to me and it was all over the place. She had taken a huge chunk out of the back to reveal his skin. He was complaining to her about it and she was blaming his hair. So I had stopped going there for fear that she might cut my hair again. I had a peek in the window and couldn't see her. So I went in and she suddenly appeared from the back. She offered to cut my hair and I pointed to the man whose name I don't know (Arthur wasn't around) and said that I was hoping he would do it. She said that he'd just started a cut and wouldn't be available for a long time. I said I'd come back (I was lying though). She guessed this and started pressing me to make an appointment. I then had to confess that I was going to look elsewhere. She offered again to cut my hair and I thanked her for the offer and hurried out. She didn't look pleased.
4. Alex. Regret.
So I took the train to the best barber shop in Manhattan, which is at Astor Place. Around 40 barbers work in the same underground cavern and so there is never a long wait. The previous time I had been there I received an excellent haircut from a Russian man name Alex who was very personable. But I think I over-tipped him ($10) because he gave me his card and his mobile number and told me to always go to him in the future. I wasn't pleased about this because I don't like having to wait and most barbers do a good job. So on arriving this time I didn't mention him and was sent to the next available barber. But I think that Alex was actually free at the time. With the benefit of hindsight I should have asked to go to Alex if he is available right away. The tills are right next to Alex's booth and when I came to pay he was sitting in his chair without a customer and he blanked me and looked cross.
I think I will try to learn to cut my own hair.
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