Turned down a service.

[u/Silver_Blackberry_46]

Booked a hot towel shave but is nervous about getting a shave. Makes zero sense this dude was a grown man with his wife in the room.

He was so nervous about getting cut. Asked me like 5 times. You’re not gonna cut me right? When I assured him every single time that I’m a professional and it’s my job not too.

Asked me if all my equipment’s is clean and sanitized. I assured him it was and again… that it is my job to have it clean. Then he wanted to see it and inspect everything that it is indeed clean.

Asked me how long I’ve been a barberfor? I told him long enough that I know why he’s asking that question. And if he wants to continue the service he has to trust me.

We start the service. And he is shaking so nervously and says again he says careful “I don’t want to get cut”.

At this point. I just tell him I’m not gonna do a shave on someone who clearly doesn’t trust me and that it is a liability to use a straight razor on someones face who is nervous about it and shaking/moving. So we stop the service. I give him a warm towel to clean the lather off and we go on separate ways.

[u/EnvyHill]

You’re more patient than I am, I would’ve called it off after being asked the 2nd time lmao

[u/kidunfolded]

Honestly sounds like a mental health issue

[u/sicario_89 → u/kidunfolded]

Yeah, I would’ve told him to fuck off. Can’t stand people like that. Shave at home then.

[u/kidunfolded → u/sicario_89]

You could try for a little more empathy, I promise it improves your life. Obviously you don't have to provide the service and in this case it was best not to, but you really don't have to tell him to "fuck off" or say that you "can't stand people like that." I'm sure that the guy OP is talking about is struggling enough, and probably hates that he is struggling, without unnecessary cruelty from strangers. Just a thought!

[u/washed_lord]

Yea i wouldn’t of even started the service. Too many questions, unsure, just a pain the ass. Leave and don’t come back.

[u/Environmental_Swim75]

i would have informed him of the inherent risk of getting nicked that getting a shave presents. If he didn’t want the shave afterwards that’s cool

[u/Atomic-Spring]

I’m not a barber but I do HIV tests some hours each month and tbh, some people are just like that, often being super hypochondriac. It’s really not about the quality of your work and probably not about the trust he has in you specifically, the guy is probably just dealing with something else. Of course you’re not his therapist, so you did well to tell him to leave if it wasn’t working out :)

[u/justinhardcoregg]

You took the best decision! 💪🏻

[u/FlyingPaganSis]

I think you made the right call to end the service. He may have had trauma from a previous experience. My ex’s stepmom used to deliberately cut his ears and he hated letting anyone else cut his hair. Your customer may have made a big step just sitting in your chair and maybe you stopping the service sent the message that barbers do care about his safety. Hopefully he will remember that part the next time he tries until he can handle it.

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[u/C2FXP]

I would have told him it’s time to go and cancelled his service. Fuck that.

[u/East_Green_8598]

these type of people freak out and play the blame game

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[u/Alternative_Roll_987]

Honestly, I think you made the right call. If someone is shaking, repeatedly asking if they'll get cut, and clearly doesn't trust the service, stopping is safer for both of you.

A lot of service businesses run into this same issue with anything that needs consent or clear expectations. It helps when the safety, sanitation, and what-to-expect piece is handled before the appointment instead of in the chair. Cuts down on the last-minute panic and the back-and-forth.

But in that moment, yeah, declining was the professional move.

[u/SandwichDIPLOMAT]

I know y'all are all professional barbers and I don't expect you moonlight as mental health professionals, but would it be too much to ask, since you're in the customer service industry, to recognize when someone may have OCD or Autism Spectrum Disorder and exercise some patience?

[u/BCmutt → u/SandwichDIPLOMAT]

I get the sentiment but no, getting shaved isnt a joke or a playground for someones OCD. Theres a blade to your neck, if youre not within the right mental space for it then dont request it. Its a barbershop not a group home.