Goodbye, Bernard?

It’s decision I have put off for as long as I could. But it has come to a point where I really choose.

My relationship with Bernard has lasted longer than any of my boyfriends. This year would be our 9th year together. In many ways it’s an ideal relationship for me. He never makes demands, I only see him when I need to, and when I do see him, he’s never petulant about my being away for so long,

But since he transferred a year or so ago, it has become more expensive to see him. So I had begun to consider the idea of leaving him.

And it finally happened tonight. I have let someone other than Bernard, my stylist, cut my hair.

I went to F Salon at Greenbelt 3. I went in wearing my mystery shopper hat. I thought it’s most appropriate because I am looking for the one who will replace Bernard.

Interiors are okay. Staff is friendly. Ah, but there is cut hair all over the floor of the half-empty salon. Bad sign.

I was assigned to Jules. But it was Arlin who first approached me for my shampoo. I quizzed her about Jules. Can he do short hair? (I believe that cutting short hair needs more skill than cutting long ones.) She assured me that Jules know what he’s doing. I let it on that I’m in the market for a new stylist. I wonder what she’ll do with that information.

After she sat me down, Jules approached me and asked me what I had in mind. So I explained what I wanted—-wash-and-wear hair, very short but still feminine-looking, still looks okay as it grows.

But this being a test of sorts, I brought a picture of the cut I wanted. It had all the elements of the kind of cut I like. My thinking is that if he can pull this off, he might be The One.

So he got down to work. To avoid certain disasters, I had explained to him some particulars about my hair. He listened. And he seem to have acknowledged that I take this seriously so he explained to me too what he is doing (“I’m cutting the back really short but the top a little long to decrease the volume.” “I’m styling it forward so you can see how to fix your hair highlighting the cut.”).

After less than 30 minutes, I was at the reception, paying for the cut.

The verdict: Potential Candidate. He passed the picture test. When my hair has grown a bit, I’ll come back for the freestyle test.

As for the whole experience, it will do. The difference between this experience and my usual with Bernard are pronounced. When I go to Bernard, I have to shell out P650, including tips. This one cost me P450, including tips. I kill an hour with Bernard. Now I’m done in less than an hour, including waiting and shampoo. I get iced tea and a second shampoo with Bernard. Here, no drinks, no second wash. Negligible.

So is it goodbye, Bernard, hello, Jules? Let’s meet again after the freestyle test.

P.S.
Someone asked for a photo of the cut. Voila!