8 Common Phrases You Say To Your Hair Stylist That Are Actually Rude

When you go to the hair salon, you’re probably aware of common etiquette best practices, like tipping your hairstylist and being on time. But what you probably haven’t thought about as much is how you talk to your stylist. The types of phrases you’re using can have a lasting impression and make or break your relationship with them.

We talked to hair stylists and etiquette experts about common things clients say at the hair salon that they may not realize are coming off as rude — and how to better handle those situations in the future.

“My previous stylist messed up my hair.”

“Don’t leave your appointment hating your hair only to go to a competitor salon and trash talk your previous stylist,” said Melissa Goudeau , author of “So You Wanna be a Hairstylist … That’s Cute” and co-owner at The Cut House Salon in Louisiana. “That not only puts a bad taste in the stylist’s mouth because you might do the same to them, but you’ve ruined the previous stylist’s reputation without even letting [them] know what you didn’t like.”

Instead, if you’re unhappy with your hair, tell your stylist and give them a chance to fix it. Goudeau said it’s important to remember that while most stylists try to do exactly what you want on the first visit, sometimes it takes a few tries to adjust and get it right.

“Sorry, I didn’t come prepared today.”

When you sit down in the salon chair and your stylist or barber asks you what you want, saying you didn’t come prepared or didn’t think about it can come off like the appointment isn’t important to you, according to J. Clark Walker , owner and barber at Major Studios in Utah.

“It feels rude in a job if you log in to a Zoom meeting and you start with, ‘I’m super sorry. I didn’t come prepared.’