Overheard a guy at the coffee shop say 'a good barber is just a good listener'

It made me realize half the people in my chair just want someone to talk to for 20 minutes. How do you handle when a client overshares something really heavy?

2 comments

2 Comments

logansullivan5d ago

Honestly, I read a piece once that called barbers "low-cost therapists." You have to listen, but you're not paid to fix it. A simple "that sounds really tough" is often enough before moving the chat to lighter stuff.

tara3455d ago

Hold on, that "low-cost therapist" line is a trap. It sets a bad expectation. My job is to cut hair, not guide their mental health. If someone drops something truly heavy, I've learned to say "I'm not equipped to help with that, but it sounds like you might need to talk to someone who is." Then I offer to pause the cut if they need a minute.