Sometimes I Write

The person who cuts your hair…what are they called? I did a mini-poll here on MY Journey and these were the results. Hairdresser – 4, Stylist – 1, Hairdresser or Stylist – 1

So here’s the story behind the poll. (Don’t quote me directly since it was 5 days ago.) Last weekend while Chelf was here, the five of us in the picture, plus Chelf’s DH, had coffee at Starbucks. Our time began outside in the sun where we lounged around a couple of metal tables in uncomfortable chairs. They just weren’t the cushy overstuffed chairs we usually sit in while inside the coffee shop. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, spoiled American. I am. We were talking hair (poor DH) and Jan said something like, “My hair hasn’t been the same since my hairdresser died” which made me laugh, hard. The look on her face as she said it along with the rolling eyes were just funny to me. I was going to make fun of her and say, “the nerve of some people” but instead I made fun of her for saying “Hairdresser”. I told her it made her sound old – which is NOT a word that anyone would ever use to describe Jan. Everyone looked at me for a second as she asked “What do YOU call it then?” I said, “I don’t know…a stylist. I think that’s the proper word for this day and age. Hairdresser just sounds old to me. You might as well say beautician.” We all laughed and everyone started sharing what they call it, and there seemed to be a general consensus on the word hairdresser. While we were having this conversation, an elderly lady walked up with her dog and took her time tying the little thing up to a chair at a table near us. A few minutes later Chelf went inside to get something to drink and the woman stood next to her and said, “I learned something new today”. Chelf looked at her and said, “Really? What did you learn?” thinking why is this woman talking to me? The woman said, “I learned that it’s not called a hairdresser…and then I had to stick around so I could learn the proper name for it.” We entertained a total stranger! When Chelf came back out and told us all what happened, we all had a good laugh. It’s not that the woman was trying to eavesdrop, we just tend to get a bit…um…loud when we’re together. I guess it’s a good thing we stayed outside. 🙂

Lastnight I went to make an appointment at the place I get my haircut, which happens to be a barbershop around the corner from my house. Edna is my stylist. She’s 40 something and fabulous. On a side note, she’s also the one who dyed Max’s hair blue. I color my own hair thank you very much.  I forgot to ask Edna what her title is, so I looked it up on their website and found these pics. Yep. that’s where I go. Edna’s floor will be covered in long red curls tomorrow morning.  I’m so excited!

VIP’s website calls their employees Stylists and Barbers.

My aunt, who went to beauty school in the 80’s, says they are called cosmetologists.

Wikipedia says: A hairdresser is a universal term referring to someone whose occupation is to cut or style hair in order to change or maintain a person’s image. This is achieved using a combination of hair coloring, haircutting, and hair texture techniques. Cosmetologists are often known as “hairdressers”, hairstylists, hair technicians, or beauticians. In various countries the synonyms change and the usage frequency depends on the normal colloquialisms of the area. In the US, technicians and stylists usually dominate while in some countries like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, hairdresser seems to be more commonly used. Hairdressers are often distinguished from barbers, with whom they may have a professional rivalry. Yet with a distinction that barbering has historically catered to men while traditionally a salon has been a place for women.

So what’s in a name? Evidentally not much. Use whatever term you are comfortable with, just be sure to leave a tip. 🙂