There a few topics of conversation that stylist generally know to stay away from including politics, religion and health problems.
The job of a stylist is to brighten the client’s day AND give a good service. Generally speaking anything negative should be avoided. Here are a few hairdresser questions you should steer clear of.
How are you doing today?
This isn’t a question that is totally off limits, however it should be carefully approached. Pay attention to your client’s body language, if they are smiling and seem generally happy go for it. If they are frowning, shoulders slumped, and looking down there’s a chance that your client will say, “No, I’m doing terrible today.”
If this should be the case you are starting off a service on a negative note. The conversation can start off many other ways so that if the client is having a bad day they aren’t dwelling on it in your chair.
These are much better conversation starters than the alternative:
“What did you do over the weekend?”
“Have you seen any good movies lately?”
“Do you have any children?”
If your client is perhaps having a bad day they will be more focused on some of the positive aspects of their life in your chair. Thus associating you with the positive feelings, hopefully ending in a long-term client.
How Short Do You Want Your Hair?
Not every client will be bothered by this. But the ones who are will have a massive internal melt down thinking you are about to shave them bald.
You should strive to build trust with your client and this one question can kill that trust immediately. If your struggling with how much length to take off, ask “How long ago did you have your haircut?” Followed by “How was that haircut for you?” Remember hair grows approximately a 1/2 inch per month. If it’s been quite sometime since they’ve had a haircut, find out why and ask about the goal they are trying to achieve with their look.
How’s the Family?
This is a common question hairstylist use to engage a returning client. The problem is the conversation can go south quite quickly. Some people have experienced a recent death in the family, or have many other family problems at that moment in time. Their kids may not be doing well. Their relationship may be in hot water, any which way you put it the chances of this conversation turning negative are high. Unless you know the client personally it’s a no-no.
Making small talk with clients is part of the job, so here are a few good hair dresser questions to ask.
“Do you have any trouble spots in your hair?”
“Was your last haircut a good one?”
“Are you from (insert city)?”
Talk about the news talk about the weather, or talk about nothing. Sometimes your client would prefer you to just be quiet.
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