Had a client tell me I was cutting his fade too high for 6 months before he finally said something

Guy comes in every 2 weeks like clockwork. Always seemed happy, tipped fine, never complained. Then last Tuesday he just goes "man I've been wanting it lower this whole time." I asked why he never said anything and he just shrugged... said he didn't want to be a bother. Now I straight up ask every new client if they want it higher or lower before I even pick up the clippers. Any other barbers had people not speak up about what they really want?

2 comments

2 Comments

rowan5935d ago

Do you think some people just straight up don't know how to describe what they want in barber terms? Like maybe he couldn't figure out how to say "I want the fade to start lower" without sounding like a jerk so he just stayed quiet. I've had clients point at their head and go "a little more off the top" but they mean different things every time. It's wild how some folks will pay you for months and not say a word because they're scared of hurting your feelings or looking dumb. Maybe it's on us to ask real specific questions like "finger length or guard length" right away.

olivia_morgan85d ago

My buddy went to a new barber last month and just said "short on the sides" like that was gonna be enough. He sat there the whole time wanting to say something about the fade line being too high but he said he felt like he'd sound like a know-it-all. Paid thirty bucks and walked out looking like a disappointed mushroom because he didn't want to seem rude. It is definitely on us to ask those specific questions right at the start.