The “Quiet Chair” Will Change Your Small Talk Game

The Idea: Small Talk or No Talk?
Small talk. For some people, making small talk is great. For others, it can be a little anxiety inducing. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if your client is just there for the haircut or for a little chitchat as well. So instead of constantly wondering what to talk about next and forcing a conversation your client might not be interested in having, avoiding that awkward situation altogether sounds like the way to go, right!? TOTALLY.

That is exactly why the Bauhaus Salon in Cardiff, South Wales is giving their clients the option to sit in their new “quiet chair”. Yep, you read that right! They have a special chair option that lets clients decide if they want to book an appointment free of any expected conversation. Hold up—can we have a quick moment of silence for this awesome idea?! 

The Salon Experience
Not all clients want to chat when they sit down in the chair, but feeling like they need to is pretty common, which is exactly what Scott Miller, the owner of Bauhaus, realized before creating the quiet chair. “We knew of people who had put off having a regular hairstylist because they worried about the expectation of conversation,” he told Style.Mic.com.

It’s true that some clients act like their hairstylist is their best friend…or their therapist—come on, we know you’ve got a few of those! But there are some people out there who would just rather not converse while sitting in the chair. Miller says, “Some clients worry they aren’t good at chatting, some just don’t want to do it at all and would rather relax with a magazine.”

According to a press release for the salon, the quiet chair option is available to customers at the salon’s two locations in Cardiff. “We hope the service will give everybody exactly what they want and make for a pleasant, comfortable experience for everybody, however chatty they’re feeling that day.”

Ask Your Clients
Another way to avoid this situation without having a specific “quiet chair” is to simply ask first-time clients when they call and schedule their appointment. Asking on the phone if they are chatty or if they would rather be left alone to relax during their visit can drastically change their experience in your chair.

As one hilarious Reddit user put it, “I found a hairdresser where if I go in on a Saturday morning he is visibly hungover. He’s not into making small talk. And it’s like a dream come true.”

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