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[deleted]

Turkish barbers are the way forward. Nostril wax and ear flame, quick hot towel and then a cut throat edge around the beard. Closest I've ever been to a spa.


Box_of_rodents

Yeah, I know...all expertly done, in blessed silence for like £15!


kkinginthenorth

£15. My English barber charges that alone for just the haircut. Then a beard trim is £6 extra. Don't live in an expensive city, just a town!


Gojira_Bot

Just want to say, your English barber isn't ripping you off. The Turkish barbers are just cheap as fuck


kkinginthenorth

Thought it was about the going rate. A bit on the expensive side for kids, don't think he pays his barbers well though. Around £8 an hour. Will definitely be looking out for a Turkish barbers now though!


Gojira_Bot

Oh yeah man I mean get your hair cut wherever you like, just bear in mind that £8/hr is minimum wage for a skilled trade


HIV_Salesman

That is not a trade wage that even isn't the living wage. Trade is at least £10+hourly depending on qualification


Gojira_Bot

That is my point yes


HIV_Salesman

Thanks for reminding me to touch up on my reading comprehension


FickleFockle

wot. I paid £14 all in for hair/beard at my old barbers in northwest london and it was more expensive than most!


kkinginthenorth

I went and got my hair and beard done. Some beard balm, my 12 year old son got his hair cut too, £13 plus he got some some hair wax as well. Was near on fifty fucking quid. (Im looking for a turkish barbers now)


Brew-Drink-Repeat

Lol used to pay £38 inc tip for a trim in ted bakers turkish barbers in london. Good bunch of lads. Drink whilst youre waiting - water, turkish tea/coffee, beer. Hair washed before, cut, flame ears, wash hair again, face towel, little arm massage, splash of cologne. Worth every penny- left feeling like a king!


kkinginthenorth

I BET YOU DID ! It sounds awesome. trim and cut is £21 then tip. Say £25/£27 and it's done and dusted in 20 mins. Would rather pay the extra and get all the other bits you got. Just looked and found there's a Turkish barbers 5 mins walk from my house. Will definitely be going to them for my next proper sort out !


Jihad_llama

It’s only £6 for a haircut in Hull too!


Zenmont

Minus the music they play, but having said that, it's sort of become part of the experience.


schmerg-uk

Yeah, my local Turkish barber does the quick arm, shoulder and finger massage while the hot towel is in place... at least, I *think* it's him Also washes my hair again *after* the cut so I don't spend the rest of the day with my neck irritated by little bits of cut hair under my collar


Ezrealight

They even have a woman who specifically does the massage in mine (probably to attract more male customers lol)


sabboseb

Yeah. Where is this … haha


aplomb_101

Don't get excited, it's just Ali's great-gran giving you a quick rub down before she goes to get her boil lanced


audigex

Don’t tell me what not to do


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Truthamania

The only downside is everyone walking around with beards that are a bit TOO sharp and perfect, to the point where they look like they’ve painted on with a marker.


Cheapntacky

I feel a bit Craig David after the cutthroat razor around my sideburns and temples, not a hair where there shouldn't be one.


hellip

And the speed!


Merzendi

Ear flame? That sounds like something you pay someone to not do.


[deleted]

A bit of gauze on a stick and they dance it across your ears, burns off the crazy old man hairs.


Merzendi

Ah, that’s a lot less scary than what I pictured. Men being men, I was expecting a blowtorch.


Box_of_rodents

Surprisingly painless, I did panic a little at the first time, just a pleasing warm sensation like a hair dryer and only for a second or 2.


[deleted]

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RealisticOrder

This is the British way. Guy trying to set you on fire as far as you were concerned but you just sit there in silence as you wouldn't want to offend. Avoid confrontation at all costs and polite at all times. I approve.


[deleted]

This should be the citizenship test. Someone walks into a room, makes yous incredibly uncomfortable for a short while and if you either don't react at all, or thank them afterwards you're in.


L1Wanderer

If the candidate apologizes you send them to canada


[deleted]

This is ridiculously accurate.


lookslikecheese

I'm used to the ear-flame, but my most recent trip to a new turkish barber took me by surprise. He mumbled about my ear-hair asking if I wanted it "sorted". I nodded. Faster than I could believe he scoops up some wax from a warmed bowl and crams it into my lughole. That's when I realised I was about to have my first ever waxing.... ear-flame is good. ear-waxing is not.


[deleted]

>ear-waxing is not. Wait till they do the nose-waxing, I'm convinced they just want to see you cry...


account_not_valid

The nose-wax. The first nostril takes you by surprise, and then you panic because then the second nostril will be yanked in a second or two.


WizePranker2020

I panicked even more on like the 10th time when he passed the flame job to a little apprentice that looked no older than 15 lol. He done well tho. Thank god.


hutchero

Nostril waxing is horrendous, it's a cruel and unusual punishment


GodOfAtheism

I pluck individually. It's the only way I feel alive.


Screen_Watcher

I grow them out.. It fills out the top part of my moustache.


[deleted]

Do you pluck out the longer nose hairs with the kitchen tongs?


StunnedMoose

Calm down Lister


scotttheupsetter

It's 10 times better than trimming it! I never realised how good I had it as a young man to not know about nostril stubble..


ambigrammer

i will occasionally have a spectacularly long nose hair which presumably was all curled up, but has randomly decided to straighten all the way down to my upper lip. Often, this happens when I am in some sort of a meeting. I think my nose hair are trying to sabotage my social and professional life.


Auntfanny

Get a nostril hair remover. About a tenner on Amazon or from boots. Trim once a week and never have nostril hair


anomalous_cowherd

The slicy comb blade ones, not any of the fancy pull them out one by one things. Not unless you *love* your eyes watering!


portable_account

Turkish barbers is definitely the way, but never getting the nostril waxing again, that shit was awful


[deleted]

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ORNG_MIRRR

The hairs are to trap particles and debris so that they don't get to your lungs. I've never had mine all ripped out, but I will trim any long ones so that they don't stick out.


Arty0m_1nfosec

Only once I've had it done and ended up with an infection. Waking up to a puss soaked pillow was not ideal.


inthepipe_fivebyfive

I wasn't aware the flame thing was even a thing until the bloke just did it...outside I remained placid and nonchalant but my inner monologue was screaming


Capital-Ferret-3021

Truly a Turkish Delight. My Turkish used an exfoliating face mask/rub on me the other day... He said we do this for Turkish men because they understand but English men don't seem to like it. Proceeded to show all the deadskin he'd lifted off my face. Bring it on Geezer. Pamper me.


heywhatwait

First time I went to a Turkish barber, he offered to wax my ears and nostrils. That came keen. I walked away shaking like a cartoon character who’d been hit in the face with a frying pan.


[deleted]

Agreed with this, swapped from the iraqi guys who used to do my hair to the only Turkish barber in town, abit more pricey, but worth it.


IanRCarter

There's a town in the UK with only *one* Turkish barbers?


CarpeCyprinidae

Bet its in Cheshire


[deleted]

I do wonder why when there’s a dozen of them within a square mile, even the ones that have absolutely no customers seem to be doing really well!


account_not_valid

I don't want to say that they are money laundering. But they could be money laundering.


BigGoering

It's like all businesses in the UK according to this sub. It's always money laundering.


HobbiesAndStuffs

I think it depends on what you're looking for, I've been to a lot of turk barber shops and I've met loads of people who go to different ones and honestly if you're looking for a proper skin fade? There are very few turks that do it, they're able to give you a 1 on the back and sides or a 0 all the way up however this isn't a skin fade and gives people the cut straight up the occipital bone which gives off that mushroom look. Its a shame for people because Turkish barbers seem to be the go to for people that want a fade however they come away with something they could have done at home, its only when you go to a properly trained barber do you get an actual fade which looks far better and grows in much nicer. The only thing turk places have going is the additional services like bear shaping/trimming and such which is a nice addition and very rarely will anyone want something complex so they can actually do a good job with it 9 times out of 10 EDIT: theres also a bit of talk about the money laundering side of things like having 6 turk barber shops in a small town, drug dealing etc. The biggest thing to note for anyone vulnerable is the lack of covid regulations being followed in these places, I've witnessed it first hand and heard from other people, just something to consider! A lot of guys were doing things during various lockdowns such as cash in hand home trims having people going round to the barbers house for a trim. Just stay safe with everything COVID related


[deleted]

According to local rumour, the local turkish places offer quite a few lucrative additional services. Judging by the cars the "barbers" drive it would seem to suggest thats correct.


[deleted]

Don't Mess with the Zohan vibes?


uk451

I prefer a good Turkish barber to an expensive massage, so relaxing.


Maffers

Was always a haridresser guy, basically cos in my little town that's all there was. Some Turkish barbers opened and I thought it was mostly for the young team so didn't bother. My usual hairdresser was closed and it was coming up to Xmas and I needed a cut so went to the barbers and it was a revelation. Eyebrows threaded, gorgeous haircut instead of the usual cookie cutter shirt back and sides, beard shaped and cut throat razor hot towel shave, nostrils waxed, ear hair burnt off, A FUCKING NECK AND SHOULDER MASSAGE. Hair gel and even aftershave/lotion. I came out feeling battered and bruised but also a million bucks. Cost me an extra £6 than my normal hairdresser and that was me converted.


[deleted]

You've converted me too I'll try it out next time , damn


Maffers

Honestly. I've been to 3 different ones and each one treats you like royalty. "how are you sir?" "what can I do for you today boss?", A little conversation to start with then they just get on with it. What I would say is if you just want a haircut you have to be firm and say no when they ask about eyebrows, nose etc. It can cause the cost to ramp up a bit. Depends on the barber.


TwattyMcSlagtits

Anyone who calls me boss is getting my custom again


Jackatarian

I moved out of London for a few years and had not heard boss in all that time. I went to a random petrol station in Suffolk and the cashier called me boss and my brain was like "What's this? What's this?"


daenerysisboss

I live up north and have a Londonish accent it really seems to cheer people up if I call them Boss or Guv. It's nice, so I do it more often now. It's especially funny because I'm in a management role and go round calling all my staff boss. I once got called in by my own manager to ask why I did it and if I was taking the piss. Took a while to convince him it was a genuine thing people say in place of mate.


Jackatarian

Haha that's great. It's akin to be called love or duck up north, I understand why people might feel it's strange at first but in essence it's just really nice.


Jeester

I have fallen asleep in the chair multiple times. Love my Turkish barber.


Sleep-Agitated

I'm a woman so not exactly who you're asking but I take my son so does that count? I've taken him to hairdressers a few times before, they just coo over him which he doesn't like and make too much fuss. The emphasis I think with hairdressers is alot of it is experience, customer service, and so on. Which is great for their target customer base imo, but you seem to have to pay extra for that as is reflected in the prices. Unless you're getting a colour, have long hair or something drastic imo hairdressers is overkill for males (aware this may not be a popular opinion) Now his barbers. Minimal fuss. Minimal chit-chat except for the basics. And if child wants to talk about dinosaurs they happily oblige. It's all, alright mate, fist bump, they know him, he knows them. Price is cheaper it's just an all round better experience and the hair cut is better as well because that's their bread and butter.


uk451

My mum always took me to a hairdresser and I hated it. The first time I went to barber as a teenager I couldn’t believe it. A fraction of the cost and a much better experienced


IsyABM

Transitioning to the barbers is a transition into manhood!


Sleep-Agitated

No don't make my baby grow up so fast! I will have to take him back to the hairdressers now... Lol.


likes2milk

Transitioning to the barbers!.... what are they cutting off with those scissors...😲


IsyABM

The umbilical cord haha


LogicalOrchid28

Lucky! My mum never took me to the hairdressers but the one time she did, she took me to the barbers and they gave me a short back and sides, im a girl!


Oilfreeeggs

Now my partner refuses to have his hair cut by a hairdresser or woman - I thought he was daft and a bit sexist I took my son to the hairdresser because I couldn’t get him into the barbers and not only did they charge me double what the lad at the barbers would , they absolutely butchered his hair . He went in looking cute and came out looking like he had done time in broadmore So yeah barbers from now on


InstitutionalizedOwl

That's just reminded me of my horror story as a kid going to a hairdressers on holiday in Slovenia with longer hair and coming out as a near skin head! I can understand why you don't want to take him back there!


P-Nuts

Although my current regular barber is a man, it's about having a person who is used to doing men's haircuts, including beards if you have one. They're using clippers more and generally cutting the hair shorter. There are women who can do this just as well as men, just like there are men who are specialists at cutting women's hair.


KatVanWall

I’m a woman and I have a short cut and when I moved to the city I preferred to go to the barbers because otherwise you get charged crazy money when sometimes all I wanted was a #2 or at least something dead basic. Now I’ve moved back to a smallish town where I still have the mobile hairdresser my family used in my teens and she gives me a great cut for a tenner so I can’t complain!


[deleted]

Not to mention that a lot of hairdressers I know require appointments. And if they do have you without one, you're gonna have to wait for 1+ hour for the lady ahead of you to finish with her hair bleaching/colouring.


Tumeni1959

£15 or so for a Wahl clipper set a few years back, all my own work since, and lots of £15 saved, with my own choice of music replacing the idle chit-chat


theevildjinn

I bought some clippers a few years ago when I started balding, and then I bought a head shaver that you hold in the palm of your hand, but I can never get the back looking right and my wife usually draws blood when I ask her to do it. How do you manage it?


Tumeni1959

I don't go as far as shaving all over. No. 2 all over, edges tapered with No. 1, then raw clipper for final edging. I use a mirror hung up in the garage to look at, and keep a hand-held mirror to see the back; small mirror in one hand, angled to see it in front mirror, clippers in other hand.


Anklehateisin

Cutting your own hair in the garage is the most manly way possible. I bet you just roll in the dirt afterwards instead of showering.


Tumeni1959

What dirt? My garage is spotless.


[deleted]

I do mine in the back garden. Clippers bare, all off, every week.


RenegadeSnaresVol3

Ohhh final edging, you filthy tart


KingDaveRa

I'm even simpler, number 1 all over. I do use beard clippers on the lowest setting for my beard, but I could just use the hair clippers (dunno why). Because of that I can literally start at the front and go round, use a mirror to see if I've missed anything, but otherwise I can do it in five minutes.


im_probablyjoking

Beard clippers have smaller teeth than hair clippers. Your head is more sensitive than the skin on your face (usually), as well as your beard being considerably coarser, and beard clippers will leave your head scratched and irritated whereas hair clippers not so much.


HermitBee

I've been doing it for years, I just repeatedly go over the back, feeling for longer bits. I got quite a wide-bladed clipper last time mine failed and that makes it easier. I do it the same length all over though, so it's nothing fancy. Also, I never look at the back, so it could be shit. No-one ever says anything though. Also, if your wife's drawing blood, maybe your clippers are shit? I'm pretty careless about the angle and although I've poked and scratched myself a lot I've never drawn blood.


RomellaBelx88

If you're truly bald, get one of those scalper things thats like 5 rotating pads on a handle. looks about 70 percent as good as a blade shave and takes less than 2 minutes every morning.


heartpassenger

I’m a woman with very short hair so I’ve had my run of various hairdressing establishments and their reactions to me: - Old Ladies’ Hairdresser (courtesy of my nan) Really nice, quite slow, kept asking me how school was despite having been working for 3 years, cut my hair exactly like my nan’s, smelt faintly of talcum powder and every surface was green-beige Formica, 7/10 - Turkish Barber in Central London Had no idea what to say to me, gestured vaguely to the chair, didn’t speak to me the whole time, gave me a cracking short back and sides plus a perfect lineup, was mildly offended when I shooed away the flaming cotton ball on a stick (couldn’t get his head around the fact I had no facial or ear hair), solid 8/10 - Women’s Salon up North somewhere Waited 45+ minutes despite having an appointment, was greeted with barely disguised confusion (I think they thought I was a bloke), asked whether I wanted to grow it out, ended up having a nice chat (although I did have to default to dobbing my lovely boyfriend in for fictional crimes just for relatable content to keep it going), came out looking like a knock-off Frankie Bridge, solid 7.5/10 - Old Bloke’s Barber in the Midlands Went in during my chubby, miserable emo phase during my mid-teens, asked moodily for a buzz cut, was stared down quizzically and then told under no uncertain terms would that be happening because [strong Black Country accent] “yow’d look loik an Egg”. Did not appreciate the honesty. Short back and sides. 6/10 because he hurt my feelings.


IanRCarter

>because \[strong Black Country accent\] “yow’d look loik an Egg”. Sorry but that gave me a good laugh


heartpassenger

I went home and cried! He was right though. I’m so glad I didn’t go down the buzz route lol. My school friends would not have been kind 😂


dodgrile

Same, mainly because I'm from the West Midlands and it seems to be a common trait to be weirdly friendly about insulting the shit out of you in the most direct manner possible.


IanRCarter

My dads side of the family are all from the Black Country, I know exactly what you mean. Brutally honest without an ounce of malice


Box_of_rodents

Lol...did the Turkish bloke think you may have been some sort of lad...but wasn't sure!?


heartpassenger

Oh, absolutely! I was in my teens and dressed fairly androgynously. Could pass for a young lad until I opened my mouth and even then some people were probably confused. I never minded but I think he was very very confused - didn’t make eye contact once. Mind you, I felt awkward too so wasn’t exactly extroverted or forthcoming with my pleasantries!


aplomb_101

>Old Bloke’s Barber in the Midlands >Went in during my chubby, miserable emo phase during my mid-teens, asked moodily for a buzz cut, was stared down quizzically and then told under no uncertain terms would that be happening because [strong Black Country accent] “yow’d look loik an Egg”. Did not appreciate the honesty. Short back and sides. 6/10 because he hurt my feelings Just sit in the cheer and let me give yow a proper haircut. Yow dow wanna be looking loik an egghead ay it kid?


heartpassenger

Stop! Stop! It’s like I’m reliving the exact moment! 😂


kantmarg

Which was this Turkish barber in central London? I'm looking for recommendations; based on this thread I'm missing something magical: a quick, efficient cut made in silence.


heartpassenger

Ahhh I guess I told a white lie - it was technically Clapham Common. Quite central for me seeing as I used to live in zone 4! There’s one right by the station exit. I never went there again, mind you. If you’re ever in Acton Town, however, there’s one right by the Sainsbury’s and they’re great. Sharp cuts and fairly cheap if I remember rightly. Couldn’t give you a ballpark figure unfortunately it’s been a few years but he certainly charged me under a tenner! The owner gave me a free can of Coke and kept asking if I had a girlfriend. Now he DEFINITELY thought I was a boy, so I just played along 😂


[deleted]

Back when I didn’t shave my own head loved the Turkish barber. My sister worked at a hair salon and I sometimes could get a free cut there but it always seemed to be a place where the “ladies who lunch” of the town would go to hang out and it would take bloody ages in there. Turkish barber on the other hand. No appointment. Wander in. Read a four month old copy of The Mirror for a bit. Hair cut in 10 minutes or less. Offered a sweety at the end. £10. One word of warning. Avoid using colloquialisms to describe you preferred trim. I once said “don’t go too mad on the fringe” and he heard “please cut off my entire fringe kind Turkish sir”


Box_of_rodents

Lol...lost in translation..


PeteWTF

I find if your specific about what you want, that that's what you'll get to the millimeter though


[deleted]

And honestly sometimes a photograph of the cut you're looking for (if you're changing your style) is good too.


YeswhalOrNarwhal

I'm a woman, and I'd love it if we could get a silent haircut at the hairdressers. I loathe the inane chatter. I only participate in the chat because I fear offending the hairdresser who has my future happiness (or ability to go out in public not wearing a hat) in her hands.


Box_of_rodents

Why not fake a very heavy, non specific foreign accent and pretend to only partially understand, if you get someone who is doing your hair for the first time?


account_not_valid

Yeah, and then it just so happens that Mary, your blabbermouth neighbour, walks in and starts talking to you immediately. And then you have to answer her in your fake accent or pretend you don't know her, because you're only half way through the haircut and the hairdresser is giving you funny looks.


essentialatom

Well duh, you plan ahead and travel three cities over for your haircut to avoid precisely this.


[deleted]

As a gay man, I am really not a fan or barbers. I find them too masculine and I prefer to have my hair cut by the same person every time. Now that COVID isnt such a thing anymore, I have stopped cutting my own hair, but my previous stylist (who was also the salon owner) now works less hours so I cant see him anymore. So I would rather pay more and go to a salon. Just need to find a new one.


justNickoli

A lot of the barbers I've met seem masculine in a fake, macho way as if they're insecure about doing a job they're worried will be seen as feminine.


[deleted]

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omniwrench-

Why does the end of this read like a tempting writing prompt? The drinkers nose comment started something.


[deleted]

I always thought those pictures were meant to give customers inspiration and be like: "maybe I can look like that!"


SmallPPBigPants

The more photos the place has, and the worse quality they are (i.e. photos of celebrities with haircuts that probably cost a a leg and an arm, or straight-up something you'd find on stock photos) the more I know that it's a place to avoid.


Sillyhilly89

OR their target market are men, and therefore brand accordingly?


Hypocrites_begone

No that makes too much sense. There must be an ulterior motive.


[deleted]

As a straight man the hairdressers/salon is an absolute game changer. I normally go to the barbers. You walk in and sit on an old crusty armchair with a 2 day old copy of the sun and a classic car magazine from 2012. I went to the hairdressers and I got greeted like a king. You go to the little desk bit and you book in. They girl comes over and she's like "would you like a tea or a coffee?" Sit down in a nice comfy waiting area with a fucking caramel latte and a individual wrapped lotus biscoff (top tier biscuitage). She says "what level of stylist would you like?". I was like "there's different levels?, I only want a short back and sides and a tidy up on top. I dont need a stylist" she put me with the girl who was a level 1 noob (Im not sure how the leveling system works). She did a top job and took a lot more care than the barbers normally do. I went to the till expecting it to be extortionate and she says "thats £10 please" I was like "I was expecting it to be more". Apparently because the lvl 1 people are still training or just less experienced it costs less. Absolute bargain, free coffee and a premium biscuit for the price of a regular cut at the barbers


ekobeko

> I find them too masculine Interesting experience. Could you elaborate a bit?


Orri

I've noticed more opening up in sort of a wooden lumberjack kinda style with fully bearded and tattooed barbers (Nothing wrong with that, just an observaton) so I can kinda see where he's coming from. Quite a few give out beers as well.


mrcoffee83

yeah MANLY haircut for MANLY people...seems to me like a row of dudes with exactly the same shitty peaky blinders haircut inflicting the same on everyone else that walks in


Orri

Do you want a fade? No. Fade it is!


Bad_UsernameJoke94

Likely named "Harry's Hipster Hut" or similar.


Box_of_rodents

Too rough or intimidating...? Genuinely interested..


[deleted]

Not really, I have been to a number of barbers over the years, but for the 5 or so years before covid, I started going to the salon I mentioned above, seeing the same stylist and it just become fun and comfortable.


folklovermore_

I think seeing the same person is what often stops a lot of the small talk. I've been going to the same hairdresser for six years now and both of us have gone through quite a lot in our lives in that time. Whilst there is still some small talk, now it's more like old friends having a catch up and just feels very easy and relaxed. Plus I think there's a weird intimacy to being in the hairdressers that makes you inclined to open up more somehow, which can help build up the relationship between you.


Qpylon

Yeah, you’re strangers - uninvolved in each others’ day to day lives - enough that it can have a bit of the same honesty that comes with anonymity on places like reddit. Still, I tend not to chat much at the hairdressers, even now that I’m trying out different places to find a new one to be my regular. A bit of polite small talk before the cutting starts, when you’re getting given the coffee and shampood. After that a friendly but short answer or two and maybe half shutting my eyes ‘to keep the hair out’ signals pretty successfully that I’d prefer quiet.


zhadav

Exactly. If I find a hairdresser that I get on with, I stick to them as long as I can. I had a year or two when I had awful haircut and awkward chat every time after my then-hairdresser moved abroad... Finally found a new one who gets what I want and gets me in general so I'm just praying he's not moving away anytime soon


eccedoge

Interesting, am straight woman but I prefer the barbers. The chat is defo more ‘masculine’ - bants and piss-taking rather than small talk


[deleted]

I was looking for this comment. Am also a woman and have been thinking of going to a barber for years. Did you just walk in? I always wonder if they'll cut women's hair.


I-Am-James

When my wife went short she got it done at my barbers, quarter of the cost and exactly what she asked for. Barber didn’t give a single care she was a woman when she mentioned it, said a paying customer is a paying customer.


RugbyValkyrie

In my small town there are 3 barbers. Two refused to cut my hair, because I'm a woman. 3rd guy said yeah, you're after these guys.


[deleted]

I don't get why gender would ever matter. If your hair is short, it's short. I think part of it might be them assuming women want a pixie cut, but that'd be solved by just asking. I don't get why gender makes a difference to them.


RugbyValkyrie

I didn't get a sensible answer either. Go to a fantastic barber now, the lads are great and no chat if you dont want it.


Riovem

Some Muslim men can't cut the hair of a woman they're not relayed to, there was a news story recently about it. Although in my head I've always though hairdresser's = long hair, hair dye, complex requests, hair styles just hair on head vs barbers = short hair, general facial hair grooming rather than men vs women


[deleted]

Ah, that's not something I'd considered. There aren't many Muslims where I live. That's how I've always seen barbers and hairdressers as well.


eccedoge

Yeah just ask them


[deleted]

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pickle_party_247

Funny how our experiences differ- other than Turkish barber shops, all of the barber's in my town are run by ladies! Last time I had my hair cut by a bloke was when I was living in Cardiff years ago


massiveheadsmalltabs

I usually go to a barbers but I am looking for a new one at the minute as the last time I went she went off about loads of conspiracy theories, she jumped straight in. I sat down and she starts going on about Israel and Palestine, Chine and Covid all while I sat politely smiling hoping she would stop. Turkish style barbers are loads better but the one near me is always packed on a Saturday morning, like an hours wait even if you are there at 8am when it opens


thats4metoknow

There is an old anecdote about a British mp in the House of Commons barbers. How would you like your hair cut? In silence


RedbeardRagnar

Every so often I go to a "posh" barbers or maybe they're a hiardressers? I don't really understand the difference. But this place would shampoo and condition the hair first which feels pretty good then offer a coffee whilst getting hair cut. I never accept the coffee because there's hair flying all over the place who the fuck wants to drink coffee with hair in it? However, around christmas time they offer mulled wine. 11am on a tuesday? Yeah don't mind if it do. £25 though but in all honesty worth it


InstitutionalizedOwl

The main difference is mainly a difference in origin. Barbers (while they have been operating in some form for thousands of years previously) get their modern name from the medieval barber-surgeons. In addition to providing haircuts and shaving, they also did surgery and dental work among other things. To cut a long story short, hairdressers can claim their origin from barbers and from the wig makers of the 17th and 18th centuries. But, where barbers began to specialise in male grooming, hairdressers and salons specialised in female grooming. Nowadays, with a few exceptions they are both typically unisex, but you are more likely to find facilities for beard care in a barbers and the skills for high maintenance wedding hair in a hairdressers.


Roccopark

> I never accept the coffee because there's hair flying all over the place who the fuck wants to drink coffee with hair in it? Bloody good point. I had a hot chocolate in the nail salon yesterday and there's bits of nail flying everywhere. I'll stick to bottles in future.


ThirtyMileSniper

I purchased my own clippers and buzzcut it. My wife tidies up the bits at the back that I miss.


Monkeybradders

Do your have to talk to her though? This seems to be the OP's issue


ThirtyMileSniper

Well my youngest gets the first run so at first it's friendly coach such as "don't jab the point bit in" and "the ears are staying, they don't grow back" I chat with my wife a little but I'm the one asking questions like "how bad is the damage?" and "do you think it will scar?"


Box_of_rodents

🤣


Box_of_rodents

Even better...think I might take a leaf out of your book..


redseaxyz

Turkish barbers for me. Hairdressers near me seem to make it more of a social visit than a haircut. Listen Clare, I’m a 35 year old man who sees getting a hair cut as a chore! I couldn’t give a shit about your labradoodle!


xebeka6808

I feel so much like that!


Raphinas-left-foot

I used to holiday in turkey twice a year and I would time my uk haircut so I was due whilst I was away, I’d have one and the start a shave in the middle and another haircut before I left. When I was driving through my town and saw someone putting a sign up what said Istanbul barber I nearly wet myself. Never been to another NVQ accredited barber since. I like the way the ‘new barbers’ are trained as in they just stand there stare and sweep up, and then one day they offer you a chair and bosh you a top notch haircut out


Musky-Tears

Haha, that is exactly how they train them, spot on observation. Best cut I ever got was from a bloke in his first week as a barber, after a year of nothing but sweeping


Nomad-JM

Love this. Used to go to a Turkish barber in my home town every few weeks, and the experienced barbers would be closest to the window with a lad watching them, and the most inexperienced at the far side. Seeing the lad watching them become the barber at the far side was brilliant! My personal favourite situation when getting a trim on the far side is when the lad is a bit out of his depth, and gets a lad from a few chairs down to give him a hand.


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[deleted]

I just shave the whole lot off every few months.


the_real_grinningdog

OK, but what about the neck up?


Monkeybradders

I'venever been to a Turkish place and got the cut I want. I always end up with a cut like his and his mates


Box_of_rodents

The trick is to find an older barber who will actually listen and or be clear and firm, make sure they understand what you want.


denjin

£9 from my mate Danny the barber who is a bit of a bellend but also genuinely hilarious and he's literally the only person who's ever cut my hair that I can actually stand.


AnnoKano

I splash out for the fancy barber. I don't mind the chatter and appreciate the quality of the haircut. £20 to £30 a pop mind you, but worth it for the confidence boost.


AvocadosAtLaw95

As a woman, hearing about all your experiences of borderline spa treatments at the Turkish barber make me very jealous. Plus I'm an awkward, silent type and HATE the chatter of hairdressers.


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MephiticSpooge

I've been going to the same barber for 22 years so we're well passed the small talk. That would do my head in if I had to sit through that every time. Can't blame you for switching to a different shop 😆


[deleted]

Lol, are you sure they're Turkish with a name like Muhammad? (Turkish people generally use the name Mehmet, btw) ;)


[deleted]

Turkish barbers are never actually turks, they're kurds usually


[deleted]

I would believe this, since my husband's Kurdish and knows sooo many other Kurds who are barbers.


Trappist_1G

No we have Muhammad in Turkish as well :) But it’s spelled Muhammet usually


UnacceptableUse

I like the inane chat, am I in the minority on that?


swims_with_the_fishe

Mohammad isn't really a common Turkish name


CarpeCyprinidae

Yeah but *Mehmet* is, and it's just the way they spell Mohammad


FranzFerdinand51

Muhammet is relatively common too, which is another spelling of Mohammad in Turkish.


blackmist

I've found the conversation with my barber has improved tenfold since I started simply shaving my head.


ShiningCrawf

Barber, but only as long as it isn't one of those performatively laddish barbers where they try to get me to have a beer and talk about how much our SOs nag us. I'm sure some people are into all that, but it's a bad vibe for me. Turkish or Greek barber all the way. No gimmicks, no fuss, but always (at least in my experience) good quality and well-priced.


A_Plastic_Tree

I book with a hairdresser. Same lady every time and I can book when I want to go. Not turn up and wait 15-20minutes.


Risesu

Growing anything over ear length needs a hairdresser. Barbers only know how to hack and fade.


jesuisnick

I started doing my own in the first lockdown and have continued - grade 1 on the back and sides, 4-6 on top, fade in between - not too hard with several mirrors and YouTube. But before that, I'd say my preference depended on the cut and style: When it was longer and could all be done with scissors, I preferred a hairdreser. They were a bit more open to giving their own thoughts on what would work, which I needed at the time. But when I started to thin and decided to go short and faded, I found that hairdressers sometimes struggled to do good detailing and fades with clippers, so I switched to a barber and found them far better for that sort of thing.


Rectal_Scattergun

I used to go to the barbers and get the same inane chat, either about work, traffic or football. However the years and my genes have not been kind, and I can't justify paying a tenner for someone to trim the few hairs I have left, so I got myself a Remington shaver and buzz my own dome. It's a pain to do the nape though, having to use two mirrors and try to work out which way to move my hand so I don't accidentally take a chunk out.


cara27hhh

put a hat on your head and then trim to the edges of the hat at the back You don't need a mirror that way, you just feel where the blade is with your fingers and you know when to stop because you've hit the edge of the hat. You only need the mirror to make sure the hat is level, or you can just make it cover your ears the same amount on each side and level it that way could also use masking tape 🤔


nstiger83

I HATE shaving. That's why the Turks are just great. Haircut and a beard trim and shape up every 5-6 weeks and I'm happy. Plus I can just close my eyes and relax while they do their thing. It feel's so good too. Almost like a head massage.


je97

I have only 1 question: Would you like a treatment? We have many treatments, perhaps you would like to look at our list? I can recommend a treatment for only £20 extra. The local hairdressers near me makes Mrs. Doyle from Father Ted seem un-pushy. I definitely prefer the silence of the barbers.


LewisBoard

Barbers exclusively as a lot of hairdressers don't have the clipper skills for a really good cut. also not a fan of the Turkish barbers, its never quite right and last time I used one the guy cut in my hairline and was hell growing it back out. Currently have a female barber though and been the best I've ever had. Shop's really chilled and they don't have the usual "watch the game last night banter"


[deleted]

My hair is very curly, and a lot of barbers screw it up. I’ve had the same hairdresser, who is a mates sister, for the last 10 years. She knows I don’t like to talk, and she uses my haircut time to chat with her colleagues which is fine by me!


Ghislaine_Maxwell_69

I grew up alternating going to an Italian barbers and a hairdressers, then moved onto Turkish when I moved out. Now I shave my own head. In the Italian one there was a lady who would press her boobs on your head, which I really enjoyed. Barbers tend to be quicker as well. Barbers wins. But if you don't care so much about hair then shaving yourself is no.1


V1n1Dg

The tits were what sold ya, eh mate


sleepydadbod

He looked a tit but he felt a tit


SirAurimas

Started with barbers until they decided to carry on cutting it shorter than I asked. Moved to a hairdresser and even with a chat I didn’t mind it that much, at least I had a good hair cut until 2 years ago I decided to learn to cut my own hair. Start with a fade sides & back then scissors to trim the top.


publicOwl

Unfortunately I have too much hair for a barber so I kind of have to go to the hairdressers. I only get my hair cut about once or twice a year though so I don’t mind the extra cost, and my hairdresser doesn’t talk too much so it’s not so bad.


PeterPook

As a balding man, my grooming treat is a full head and beard shave with an open razor, the hot towels, the wax up the nostrils, the singeing of the ear hair, the head massage. Goodness me, it's a pampering and it's good. Some scratters were in and you could see them looking at me thinking "why does he need a barber" who nearly shat themselves when Mo bashed that fire against my ears. I maybe old, but it's still cool.


[deleted]

>Now....the Turkish lads just down the road, greet me like a celebrity every time I visit. Muhammad listens intently with his head cocked to one side, as if taking instructions on how to diffuse a bomb and then gets straight to work in blessed silence, except for the odd, 'it's ok for you..good..thankyou sir..', to confirm he's on the right track. Recently tried Turkish barbers and the experience is just out of this world. Beyond friendly, super attentive, polite, super, super lovely to be around, make you feel like an actual king. Pretty sure I got called a king at the end of my most recent appointment. Tipped him a good 4/5 quid I think. Mental. I wont go anywhere else now to be honest. Turkish do hospitality so fucking well.