Appointment Structure

One of the main things that stresses me out about existing in the world is not knowing exactly what’s going to happen. If I can do something enough times then I can learn the structure of how to do it and I feel less anxious, but oftentimes I am put off from trying anything new because I don’t know all the elements: I don’t know exactly where to go, or how I will be greeted, what I am meant to do or say, or what is expected from me. Below, I have written the structure of what a non-mobile hair appointment will look like. Mobile appointments will be similar but with some small changes, i.e. you will be greeting me at the door instead of me greeting you. Other types of appointments will look a bit different. but once written down all the elements to those appointments then I will include those appointment structures here too.

Here is a step-by-step guide of what will happen when you turn up for your haircut appointment:

1. You will knock on the front door (you’ll know which house is mine because you’ll see my logo).
2. I will open the front door, greet you and offer to make you a drink and ask if you want to use the loo before the appointment. 
3. If yes, then I’ll get you a drink and show you where the toilet is. 
4. I will then lead you to the caravan which is located around the side of the house.
5. Once in the caravan, you will sit in the chair facing the main windows (though you can move the chair to face any direction you wish) and I’ll perch on the stool in front of you. 
6. We will then talk through what you want and I’ll explain how I’ll cut the hair and what tools I’ll use for it. If you have any photos of the style you want, then we will look through the photos together and discuss what you do and don’t like about the photos and what we would need to do to achieve that look.
7. Once we are both satisfied with how the appointment will go, I will get my equipment together and get my gloves on. I will put the neck strip and gown on you and offer you the speaker to connect to via bluetooth if you want to listen to music. 
8. If you have said yes to photos then I will take the ‘before photos’. 
9. Now the appointment begins. I will start by combing your hair with a wide tooth comb. If I’m cutting wet, then I will wet your hair now, and then I’ll section it.
10. If you’re unsure about what you want regarding length or style then I will check in with you during the appointment to make sure it’s going the way that you want. 
11. The cut will take between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on how regular you see me for appointments and the type of style. 
12. When the cut is over, I will bring you the mirror so you can see what it’s looking like. I like to show you before I’ve dried and styled so that we can change anything you want. Please be honest with me. I know it’s hard, I find it incredibly hard to know what my feelings are after a haircut, but I hope to foster an environment where you can feel able to tell me if you want something different. 
13. If you are wanting some changes then I will do that now. 
14. Once you’re happy with it, I will dry and style the hair. Not everybody wants their hair dried and styled so let me know what your preference is. 
15. I will show you what it looks like again when it’s dried and styled. 
16. I will then take the gown and neck strip off you. 
17. If you said yes to photos, then I will take photos now and confirm whether you’re happy with them on social media or not. 
18. I will ask how you’d like to pay, if it’s via card machine then I will set up the payment and tell you how much the appointment is. 
19. If you’d like to use the loo again before you go then I’ll show you back round to the house.
20. Once you’re happy to leave then we’ll say goodbye and that is the end of the appointment.

Extra bits

• This appointment is for you, you are in control. I know how vulnerable it can be to sit in that chair while someone is cutting your hair, it can feel like they hold all the power, but they don’t. In your appointments with me, you hold the power. We can stop whenever you want and take a break or just stop all together and reschedule the appointment. I’ve literally ran away from hair appointments before because of panic attacks, so I know how bad it can feel when you just can’t do it. I hope to create the space where you can say, “hold up Freddie, I need 5 minutes to calm down before we continue”.
• If you have a pain condition, don’t push through the pain if you’re struggling. If it’s possible, let me know when you’ll need to stop, or, for example, if you feel like you only have 10 more minutes in you. But it’s not always possible to know that and so if you are suddenly in lots of pain and need a break, or to move around for a bit, then let me know.
• If you want to chat during the appointment then we can chat, if you’d rather be in silence then that’s fine by me too. There is no right or wrong way to do this appointment, I just love cutting hair, so no matter whether we chat or not, I’ll be having a good time.