The Final Cut-Breaking up with my Hairdresser

Fifteen years, count 'em. Years of shared stories, shared tears.

After having so many "I know just how you feel" conversations with a color stylist over the years, it's hard to say, "I don't like what you did." But that's what happened.

I make my appointments for 3 months in a row. Last month, Francine tells me that "we" only scheduled for an hour. Why would I do that? I need base and highlights, a two hour appointment at least. I simply asked why she chose to bump me instead of the person in front of me or the person after me. Her response: "I think it's time you moved on....

Moved on? Like find some one else? Are you nuts??? OK, that wasn't very sensitive of me but you have to admit that's quite a leap. It wasn't like I was criticising her artistic ability.

I don't know if guys can understand this because women definitely feel more involved in the process.

It's routed in childhood with us; most young girls have long hair when they're younger, and it's their mom washing it, brushing it, taking care of it. It's very intimate and very maternal. That sparks that bond you have with your hairdresser.

Men, they get buzzed and a towel dry and that's it.(Kind of like sex)


But this is the real nightmare....the owner of the salon cuts my hair. So now what to I do. Tell him that Francine is looney and broke up with me but do you still want to cut my hair and how are you at color?

The real bottom line is I'm now "one of them". I can't tell you how many times I've listened to Francine tell me about the 'unbearable client' that she has had to "fire".

So as the newly dubbed "one of them" I will move on with grace and dignity and remind myself that I was darn lucky to have paid $100 every 4-5 weeks for however long it lasted!