I (female) went to get a haircut at a new salon today and I’ve come out of the experience wondering what just happened and if this is normal.
Firstly, the stylist took my bag and coat to a room behind the counter. The salon has a nice aesthetic so maybe they don’t want customer things visible but this was the first off thing about it.
Now, I’ve had my hair cut at three different places in Japan and this is also the first time salon has asked me to fill out a customer information sheet which asked for information such as my date of birth and home address.
Next, the stylist (male) gave me a head and shoulder massage. I asked only for a haircut when I made the reservation. I don’t know if this is just part of what his services include, but the service menu I chose from simply said “Cut”.
After the haircut, he gave me some complimentary merch from the salon.
I just want to know if any of this is normal, especially the needing my home address bit. Should I be concerned over anything that happened or am I overthinking?
29 comments
Be careful, it looks like he is grooming you.
Yeah all this is common at fancier salons. And maybe they’re newly opened and trying to get customers. You can refuse to write your address.
What’s the weird thing here? This is normal, even at nice salons in the U.S.
Where have you been before that they *didn’t* do those things? All of this is extremely normal.
Completely normal if it’s a big / have a group hair salon to keep their service consistent.
I’m assuming they gave you a small bag to keep your wallet / phone inside as they kept the rest of your stuff, right?
You can avoid filling out personal info if you don’t want to. But I think they ask for your phone number in case anything happens.
They’ll send you postcards in the mail to remind you it’s time for your next cut. Maybe with a coupon.
It’s normal. Actually, most salons do this even if the stylist is the same sex as me. Only thing a bit different is the merch. But yeah, maybe they’re new, or just give it to new customers to help you remember them and hopefully come back later.
That’s the usual routine. The stuff you filled out is for their membership card and they’ll have noted your style and the person who cut your hair for next time.
As many have said, completely normal – even in salons targeting a male clientele
That’s all normal.
I’m still waiting for you to say what’s weird.
I (male) have been to multiple salons in Tokyo, across different brands, all of them basically did the same stuff you described.
I’ve run into everything except the free merch. I alawys assumed they didn’t want hairclippings to get in the bag, so they stored mine (and other clients’) in a locked room or cupboard. Massages were part of the service at the ritzier places.
One thing you didn’t mention: a simple cut & shampoo usually took 30 min. or less in my home country. In Japan, it always seems to take an hour, no matter how simple or layered the cut. Used to make me really antsy. But, this is very normal in Japan for women, at least.
In Japan they ask all your personal information for anything, and Japanese people don’t seem to have a problem giving it away.
The other day at the gas station they had a promo campaign, but were asking for personal information. I just made it all up and got the discount anyway.
where’s the weird part?
Where else would they put your coat? I’m confused.
This is entirely normal. I don’t think you’ve been in Japan that long huh? (I don’t mean that in a bad way)
Sounds like Assort salon or somewhere similar
Congratulations you went to a salon that had extra perks.
They didn’t want you to get hair on your stuff. They were willing to give you discounts on your birthday and possibly send you some discount coupons.
Some places give you messages, others clean your ears, and still others don’t do anything.
And to top it off you got free stuff to try in case you wanted to change your current stuff.
Sounds like a decent place to get your hair cut, and “just a cut” doesn’t always mean just a cut in Japan
Try QB next time if you want none of these
The coat and bag being taken from you is not to hide it from customers. Do you want to be wearing a coat and have your bag at your hands while having a haircut? The address isn’t to stalk you but send you some stuff. I got a happy birthday small card that serves as s coupon to have lesser price for haircut only during my birth month. You’re clearly overthinking.
Sounds like a visit to a decent salon in Japan. The merch might be a bit above and beyond, but I guess it depends on how much you spent!
Some places will serve you tea or coffee as well, and talk at length about the style you want. My wife heading off to the salon is a 2-3 hour event.
The right question to ask is how much did you pay? You’ll probably have your answer from that.
Every single hairdresser I’ve been to in Japan has taken my coat and bag to a back room and given me a massage. Not sure about the questionnaire but probably nothing sinister
I got a free can of Chi-Hi from QB House as some sort of promotion.
I thought we were finally going to talk about a lot of salons pushing you to get your hair thinned.
Just wondering, where you do think your coat and bag should be put? If it’s next to you, it’s going to catch all the hair they cut off / product drip. If it’s on the floor or on your lap, it’s going to get in your way, especially if you are making frequent trips to get your hair washed.
All normal.
They’ll send advertisements (possibly coupons), and many places have birthday discounts.
Looks like new saloon and want to grab addresses for marketing. They may send you postcard and promotional stuff at your mail box.
Sounds completely normal to me…
Damn even QB house will take your coat and bags. You will lose your mind when one gives you a drink and a points card.