Getting a Haircut

NinaHi, I'm Nina.

RayAnd I'm Ray.

NinaRay, your hair looks different.

RayIt's shorter.

NinaA lot shorter.

RayI said just a little. She heard something else.

NinaWhat did you say exactly?

RayI said, not too much.

NinaAh. That's the problem. Not too much means nothing.

RayWhy? It's clear to me.

NinaNot too much for you is two centimeters. For her it's five.

RaySo I need numbers.

NinaNumbers, or something you can show. Let's do the words first.

RayOkay.

NinaIf you want almost nothing, say just a trim.

RayJust a trim. Is that really short?

NinaIt means clean it up, keep the shape. Nothing changes.

RayThat's what I wanted.

NinaThen say those three words. If you want some off, say a little shorter, and show with your fingers.

RayFingers work?

NinaFingers always work. Two fingers apart, and say about this much.

RayAbout this much. That's good.

NinaAnd one more. Leave the top.

RayLeave the top?

NinaShort on the sides, leave the top. It's the most common haircut here, and it's four words.

RayShort on the sides, leave the top.

NinaAnd at the end, they'll ask how it looks. You can say a little more off the back.

RayCan I still change it at the end?

NinaYou can always take more off. You can never put it back.

RayThat's a life rule.

NinaThat is a life rule. Let's practice. I'm cutting your hair.

RayOkay.

NinaHi, what are we doing today?

RayJust a trim, please. Short on the sides, leave the top.

NinaHow short on the sides?

RayAbout this much. Maybe two centimeters.

NinaPerfect. See — you gave me three things. The style, the amount, and a number.

RayAnd I didn't say not too much once.

NinaSo — just a trim, a little shorter, leave the top. And always show with your fingers.

RayThanks, Nina. My hair thanks you too.

NinaThat's it for today. See you next time.