Sometimes they are not only hair care providers, but also therapists. Hairdressers often hear all sorts of things from their clients. Also very intense stories. That is why training has recently been given to hairdressers on how to properly conduct such conversations.
“That is a very good initiative.” thinks Dorien Beks. She is the owner of Change Hairstyling in Vught. In her salons too, all sorts of things happen in the hairdresser’s chair. “It is often about how nice the last holiday was, but sometimes also about more serious matters such as illnesses, relationship problems or problems with the children.”
Dorien finds it easy to understand that people tell their stories to the hairdresser. “We have a physical profession. We touch people and get close. People regularly sit in your chair for a longer period of time. Then you quickly build a bond and so personal topics are quickly discussed. People like to tell their story to someone who is a little further away from their lives and yet familiar.”
But what people often don’t realize is that the hairdresser must be able to deal with these types of stories. At Change Hairstyling, the hairdressers have not yet received any training, but they do work with a kind of buddy system. Experienced colleagues support younger hairdressers. During the coffee break, the hairdressers discuss it with each other if someone has heard a complicated story and they give each other tips.
Sanne van Breugel is such an experienced force. She has been working in the hairdressing industry for 16 years. “A customer recently told me that she had cancer and that she is not getting better. That hits home hard. I take those stories home with me, but I don’t lose sleep over it anymore. I have learned to let it go”
This is often more difficult for young hairdressers. “We are a training company,” says Dorien. “I have the feeling that this subject is somewhat underexposed in hairdressing training. There it is more about cutting techniques. Of course, those technical skills are important, but it should not stop there. That is why we keep a close eye on each other here.”
Not all customers pour their hearts out to the hairdresser. In fact, there are also people who have no need for a chat at all, because they are overstimulated, for example. They can book a quiet chair online with Dorien. The customer then receives a treatment without the small talk with the hairdresser
However difficult those stories sometimes are, it is also one of the beautiful aspects of the profession, says Dorien Beks. “People find that human contact very important. Nowadays in the supermarket you bleep everything with the scanner and you no longer see a cashier.”
This is different in a hair salon. Older customers in particular attach great importance to a chat. “With us you still have real contact and many people find that more important. And it will always remain that way,” Dorien adds with a laugh. “Fortunately, our profession has not been replaced by a robot or AI.”