Yesterday, whist walking toward my class at St. Martins, I was approached by a student from Toni & Guy Hair Dressing School. She asked me if I would be a hair model for her class the following day. First thought that sprung to my mind? “FREE HAIRCUT!”
Now, I did get my hair cut very well by a professional about four weeks ago. But for some reason, the idea of getting a trim for free was very exciting. I had never been offered any styling for free before, so of course I said yes! Then I thought for a moment and said, “Well wait, how much are you going to cut off?” The hair cut I had was already fairly short, and I am at the point where I am not sure if I want to grow it out or not. Precious, precious time. She made the universal symbol for “a pinch.” So I agreed, and told her I would indeed meet her at the school the next morning at 11:00 AM.
I showed up mildly early, and a girl that had recognized me from the day before lead me in, and upstairs to the studio. When I got in, I sat down and began to watch Carol, (Her name has been changed to protect her identity) the girl who was my cutting my hair, work on another… patient. We will call her a patient, because in my superficial world, hair is THAT important to me. Right away I should have maybe ducked out and left. She was giving this girl an asymmetrical bob. It was a bit Jetsons. I became a little worried. So when she told me to come over and sit down, fear began to rise inside me. Her instructor came over and they were deciding on the cut. She would say, “I’ll cut it here.” And then I would go, “Well - no, more like… at my jaw line.” And she would go, “Yeah, Yeah… of course. Right here.” She was very obviously NOT pointing to my jaw line. This went back and forth for a few moments, before I had to decide to trust her.
Few things seem creepier to me, than getting my hair cut by a flakey student. You know the saying, “Those who can’t teach, teach gym?” Well, apparently those who can’t teach gym, become hairdressers. She would just snip away, as if I were a manikin head, not really paying attention to the obvious concern in my face. Her instructor would jump in and say, “No, you can’t do it like that – hold the hair to a 45 degree angle, because if you cut it at 90, it will square off. See? See what I mean.” She would go, “Oh, yeah, I get it.” And continue to snip away. By the way… this was her sixth week out of sixth!
It was finally nearing the end. And just to warn you, when someone gives you the pinch signal, they might just be counting the width of their fingers as well. She cut off more than I had wanted, and almost left me with a sort of mullet, had her instructor not stepped in. Ultimately, it isn’t the worst haircut ever. But what I had in the first place was better. I probably should have left it. My sister cuts my hair better when she is high than that chick did. But I took it because it was free.
So lesson learned. Generally when someone offers you free stuff, it never comes from the best intentions. Free food is generally expired or left over. Free merchandise is usually faulty and defective. Free music can sometimes be crap. Free service is mostly likely followed with a gimmick. And free slaves… well that just lead to racism now didn’t it… too much?
Just because something is being handed out to you, don’t feel the need and guilt to take it. Pay an extra 20 for something decent if it is going to make the difference you are looking for. It might just be worth it.
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