'It only takes 8 minutes': Barber considers banning entitled customer who shows up to barber shop late, then repeatedly flips out over hair style

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Jun 15, 2023 5:00 PM EDT

On the list of people you want to annoy, your barber should be low on the list — your hair is in their hands. That didn't stop this entitled male Karen, who threw a fit at a barber shop for something that was his own fault. 

Having to put down a deposit in order to score a reservation somewhere is the best way to ensure I'm on time. These days, lots of places do this, from dentist's offices to salons to restaurants. It's extra annoying, sure, but who wants to lose money by being late somewhere? 

This guy didn't have to put down a deposit, and he sure was late to his hair appointment. As the OP of the story shared to r/Barbers, one entitled customer insisted on a specific look that takes some time. He then showed up a half hour late to his appointment, and then tried to cancel it. When he learned he'd still have to pay a $20 fee for cancelling, he then tried to get the barber to cut his hair exactly as he wanted it. The poor barber got some support in the comments — people definitely think this crazed customer should be banned from the shop for his deplorable treatment of the staff members. 

Next, this goofy manager was totally fine with ignoring a noncompete agreement, until the rules were enforced. 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 9773973504
    via Hair Spies on Unsplash
  • 02
    Font - r/Barber Posted by u/-SecondHandSmoke- 23 hours ago Would you cut this individual again? This guy booked with me last month for just a skinfade, and showed up to the wrong location on the other side of town. He was going to be 30 minutes late, but he was my last one so I told him I'd wait for him. He got there 30 after his appointment and wanted a beard trim aswell, and I did it.
    via u/-SecondHandSmoke-
  • 03
    Font - He booked with me today as a skinfade beard trim because I told him last time if he wants his beard done again to add that to his appointment. He shows up nearly 10 minutes late, and I have back to back appointments after him, so I tell him unfortunately we might not have time for your beard but I will try my best. He got ped and threw his hands up at me, saying "IT ONLY TAKES 8 MINUTES, COME ON" huffing and puffing, I tell him
    via u/-SecondHandSmoke-
  • 04
    Font - it doesn't take 8 minutes and if we don't have time for the beard I'm not going to charge him for it, but I will try. He says "well cancel my appointment then I'm not fing coming back" and walks out, turns around and comes back and asks "how much are you charging me for not getting cut" and I said our cancellation policy is 50% so $20, he said "charge me" and stormed out. I went to go sit in the back, and before I could even charge him, he comes back AGAIN and is begging me to cut him. I
    via u/-SecondHandSmoke-
  • 05
    Font - again say I will try to get both services in but we probably don't have time (especially after his by fit). The entire haircut I don't talk to him, and he's badgering me to do his beard saying it doesn't take that long, he's just cutting it down etc. We have just enough time for his beard so I do it, but still run late because he was late and threw a fit for about 4
    via u/-SecondHandSmoke-
  • 06
    Font - minutes. He apologized and tipped over 50%. He said he'll be on time next time. But I genuinely do not want to service him again. He made me so upset I was shaking throughout the haircut and sweat through my shirt. What would you do?
    via u/-SecondHandSmoke-
  • 07
    Font - runningwsizzas · 23 hr. ago Wow... put him on the no flight list dude... that's inappropriate to the max.... Not okay...
    via u/runningwsizzas
  • 08
    Font - Mr_Deph 23 hr. ago You are allowed to fire clients who don't respect as a professional and also as a person. Childish behavior isn't tolerated
    via u/Mr_Deph
  • 09
    Font - HBeez Nah f that. Don't let anyone walk over you. I would've went out of my 21 hr. ago way to make sure I didn't have time for the beard trim. To be honest, once he walked out the door the first time I'd have been done with him. People like him are time wasters.
    via u/HBeez
  • 10
    Font - -SecondHandSmoke- OP - 20 hr. ago I was honestly afraid how he'd react if I didn't do the beard with how terrible he was prior. I shouldn't have serviced him period, but I'm pretty early on in my career and have a hard time saying no, especially when put under immense pressure. He about made me feel like I was going to pass out while cutting his hair.
    via u/-SecondHandSmoke-
  • 11
    Font - str8-rae-zer 15 hr. ago I'm a barber who's bad at saying no as well, but. In my 2.5 years at a shop, you learn there are types that will walk all over you like this. Not even worth the stress! (And I am on meds for anxiety! Haha). Practice saying no, it's worth it!
    via u/str8-rae-zer
  • 12
    Human body - captainyami21. 22 hr. ago ummm no definitely never cut for him again
    via u/captainyami21
  • 13
    Font - Realistic Past7297. 22 hr. ago Ignorant mf that thinks the world revolves around him.
    via u/RealisticPast7297
  • 14
    Font - john0656 So don't. You've answered your own question. 19 hr. ago
    via u/john0656
  • 15
    Font - Calicojerk 19 hr. ago. edited 19 hr. ago Never again. A better client will take his spot if your work is good. Good on you for being understanding, but while time is something you'll never get back, the mental health aspect of dealing with these folks also can't be good for you.
    via u/Calicojerk
  • 16
    Font - I will never understand clients like him that don't take ownership of their behavior. Sometimes it can be a cultural difference and it doesn't mean they're a bad person... but like... no need to torture yourself. He may have been rude yet tipped well, but you're a barber and didn't sign up to be someone's sub.
    via u/Calicojerk
  • 17
    Font - -SecondHandSmoke- OP 19 hr. ago Yeah no he genuinely made me feel like I was going to pass out while cutting him. I was extremely light headed and shaky, and I know he could feel how shaky I was. You could tell as time went on he felt bad for how he behaved, but regardless he behaved like that and an apology and good tip doesn't take back the fact that I had to have my boyfriend bring me an extra shirt because I had sweat through mine due to the stress.
    via u/-SecondHandSmoke-
  • 18
    Font - Groomingham 18 hr. ago Why is it always the people who are late who want to add services? "I know I'm 10 mins late and you are fully booked back to back, but i need to add a face shave to that appointment. No biggy."
    via u/Groomingham
  • 19
    Font - BudgetInteraction811. 17 hr. ago No way, you were WAY too accommodating. If a client says they're going to be 30 minutes late and especially if they're my last, I'll tell them to come back another day. People will take advantage of your time if you allow them to. This guy was way out of line.
    via u/BudgetInteraction811

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Tags

hair shave karen-customer customers haircut stylist customer entitled late entitled people
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