Hairdressers or Barbers for teen son's haircut?

[TippyThomas]

Plot twist

 

[Amyisalwayshappy]

Plot twist

How has there been a plot twist?

 

[TippyThomas]

How has there been a plot twist?

Probably not exactly the term I wanted to use. I'm just interested in how far down the rabbit hole this one is going to go.

 

[Amyisalwayshappy]

Probably not exactly the term I wanted to use. I'm just interested in how far down the rabbit hole this one is going to go.

What do you mean??

 

[TippyThomas]

What do you mean??

Exactly what I wrote.

 

[Amyisalwayshappy]

Exactly what I wrote.

Okay, sorry

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just tossing another point into this - the same haircut you get at a salon, if you get it at a barbershop it's going to cost less.

I used to go to a barbershop on occasion because I usually have a real short haircut, and it was $$$ cheaper at the barbers.

 

[Kitty 34]

Just throwing this out there. Your son has long hair, right? So there; keep it long; don't get a haircut until he decides what he wants. And if it gets pretty long; get him hair ties for Christmas.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If all your son is looking for is a trim for the ends you don't have to go to either what people think more is a salon or a barbershop. Do you have any chains in the UK that are similar to Great Clips or Fantastic Sams? If not I understand the conversation a bit more.

FWIW finding a particular stylist is more important IMO than a particular place if you're more set on a specific look.

If I had to guess your son is probably confused why this has become such a big thing for his parents to be going back and forth on. If it were me I would drop the subject entirely for a while, let it go unless your son is in a desperate need for a cut or a trim. Pick up the conversation later on.

 

[Amyisalwayshappy]

FWIW finding a particular stylist is more important IMO than a particular place if you're more set on a specific look.

That is what we have done, and it's one of the stylists who works at the hairdressers that I go to

 

[Amyisalwayshappy]

Just throwing this out there. Your son has long hair, right? So there; keep it long; don't get a haircut until he decides what he wants. And if it gets pretty long; get him hair ties for Christmas.

Long hair yes.

 

[Amyisalwayshappy]

If all your son is looking for is a trim for the ends you don't have to go to either what people think more is a salon or a barbershop. Do you have any chains in the UK that are similar to Great Clips or Fantastic Sams? If not I understand the conversation a bit more.

Chains like that are very uncommon in the UK

 

[indimom]

It's always interesting to me how different things are perceived in different areas. I live a small town of about 6,000 people. If men weren't comfortable going to a salon in this town, there would be a lot of shaggy guys. We do have a barber; and, I do mean "A" barber, as in one guy with one chair. He'd have a hard time keeping up with even half the men in town all on his own. lol. We have at least five salons (that I can think of, there are probably a few more) and some home-based hairdressers. When I got my hair trimmed last week, there were more men in there than women.
My advice would normally be to take your son where he wants to go... But, I suspect he knows you've argued and doesn't want to "choose sides." Personally, I'd just make him an appointment as I normally would and get his haircut. If dad cares strongly enough, he is welcome to do the same. lol

 

[mjkacmom]

It sounds like the OP’s husband doesn’t like his son’s hair. As a parent, my kids could do whatever they wanted with their hair, ds18 has the saddest mullet right now (I had no idea it was supposed to be a mullet), dd25 just had her hair dyed platinum (it was purple a few months ago, she’s a CPA working remotely), dd20 just had her ombré hair dyed back to her real color. It’s just hair.

 

[DLgal]

Plot twist

I'm picking up what you're laying down here. And I agree. Can't believe I fell for it.

 

[Sinder]

When my ds was 13 he went to a hairdresser. He had a specific style of hair that she cut well.
When he changed his style as he got older he started going to a barber.
I'd ask your ds how he feels, I don't think it makes much of a difference as long as he is happy with his haircuts.


ETA just read through the thread.
OP tell your dh this isn't the 50's anymore. It isn't uncommon for men to have their hair done by stylist. It has nothing to do with one's masculinity, it's about who does the best job making their hair look as good as they want it.
Seriously at 13 your ds is old enough to make his own decisions about his hair, your dh should back off, he's sounds a bit controlling.

 

[Babs Johnson]

There's still barber shops in America lol.

There sure are. I go to one. The name is Larry's Family Hairstyling, but in the 15 or so years I've been going there I saw maybe 5 female customers. Usually the women there are bringing their young sons or very old Dads.

Larry learned to cut hair in the Navy during the Vietnam war, and kept at it after he was discharged. There is also a woman barber, Leah, whom I prefer. But there is a strict "next available" policy. No appointments, cash only.

Upon reopening about November 2020 after lockdown, the whole place inside was remodeled from its 1970s decor. And the price for a simple cut rose from $15 to $20.

 

[Babs Johnson]

I agree that OP's son should decide where he wants to get his haircut. Almost any "Hair Salon" has male customers. It's not effeminate. Before I went to my current barber, I used to go to the same place as my wife did. But then our stylist moved to Florida. I didn't care for whoever else was there, so I started going to the barber. My wife eventually switched to another place too.

 

[Karin1984]

OP, with your son not knowing what he wants, can it be that he feels torn between you and your husband's opinions? He doesn't want to disappoint either?

 

[tcufrog]

I have two sons. DS10 has very long and extremely thick hair. It's so thick that he has to get it thinned twice a year. I take him to a salon and he's very picky about which salon and hairdresser he goes to. A barber usually isn't trained in thinning hair the way my son's hair needs to be thinned. DS14 has a shaggy haircut. It's not a traditional barbershop style but I think a more trendy barbershop would be able to cut his hair the way he likes it. He prefers a different salon than his brother prefers. We've asked him if he'd like to try a barbershop and he's said no so I take him to the salon.

It's their hair. As long they take care of it, stay within school dress codes, and keep it looking reasonably neat, we let them do what they want, depending on the price.