How to break up with your barber in 5 easy steps.
It’s important to find the best barber for you; and if your current relationship is on the demise, it’s time to cut loose.
Through the years, I’ve had loads of different people cutting my hair – some for months and others only ever once.
I do, however, know how easy it can be to get stuck in a rut – using a barber whose work you just don’t like, but who you feel you have an obligation to go back to.
If this all rings true, it’s time to follow my 5 steps to break up with your barber.
1. Identify a problem or opportunity
The first step is really to accept that there’s a problem.
Do you not like your cut? Are they listening to you? Are they value? Could you be better off somewhere else?
Or, is there an opportunity? A new barbershop in town or somewhere else that you’re desperate to try?
Either way, you need to move on to step 2!
2. Analyse the situation
Before breaking up with your barber, make sure you talk to them.
You’ve identified there’s a problem, you now need to work out if that problem can be resolved.
Talk to your barber about your concerns and how you’d like your relationship to develop. Ask things like,
- I’d love to try… what do you think?
- What do you think we could do to make my hair look more like…?
- What would you suggest we did to achieve…?
Is this something they can work on and are they prepared to do it?
Maybe they never knew there was an issue, or maybe they’ve been playing it safe. Best to check!
Through analysis of the situation, you might be able to salvage this relationship.
If not, it’s time to move on to step three.
3. Evaluate the alternatives
The best way to find a new barber is to ask your friends. Find out where they go and see how happy they are with the service.
Make sure you shop around – look at locations, prices and results. Does the new barber have a good reputation?
Before committing to a new barber, move on to step 4.
4. Cheat on them
This may seem harsh, but you need to ensure that you’re going to be happy with your new barber before leaving your old one. It’s time to cheat!
Book yourself in for an appointment with your new barber, before breaking up with your old one.
I’d always suggest doing this when you know your old barber is either out of town or is fully booked. That way you have a valid excuse for having to go to someone else… and it’s not cheating then, right!?
5. Break up!
You’ve worked through the previous 4 steps and you’ve decided that it’s over. It’s time to break up!
You have two options here:
- Never go back and hope to not bump into them ever again. Risky and cowardly.
- Tell them face-to-face. Easier said than done.
It’s all very awkward but there’s no turning back – you need to break up with your barber.
