Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

© irene waters 2017

Today I could stand my hair no longer and I took the scissors to it. Then, enthused with my cutting abilities I took the scissors to Muffin and gave her a trim. It set me thinking about when did I first go to a hairdresser. I don’t remember my Mother ever trimming my hair but perhaps your mother did. Did anyone have the saucepan cut? I’m looking forward to your memories and wonder if there will be a difference between generations.

Please join in giving your location at the time of your memory and  your generation. An explanation of the generations and the purpose of the prompts along with conditions for joining in can be seen at the Times Past Page. Join in either in the comments or by creating your own post and linking. Looking forward to your memories.

Baby Boomer 

Rural Australia

I could be guessing but I think the first time I had my hair cut was (according to the envelope) 12th January 1967. I would have been around 10. (Yes I still have all my baby teeth also). I don’t remember my mother ever cutting my hair although I imagine she must have done the odd trim. My hair was medium length and I must have had it cut prior to this but I don’t remember it. Looking at the shorn lock today I think my Dad had reason to say to me (often) “There was a little girl who had a little curl right down the middle of her forehead. And when she was good she was very very good but when she was bad she was horrid.

© irene waters 2017

© irene waters 2017

This was, I think, the first time I remember going to the hairdresser. It was a long skinny shop and smelt of antiseptic. A little like a doctors surgery. We sat in a waiting area under a flight of stairs and waited our turn. I couldn’t take my eyes off the ladies having their hair dried under big metal domes, their hair in curlers. I’m certain images of this were strong with whoever wrote the film ‘Coneheads.’

Strangely I don’t remember going to a hair dresser again until I had left home. Was it an experience that was so mundane it wasn’t worth remembering apart from that one time that was monumentous enough for my parents to envelope at least part of the tress that fell.

Baby Boomer Australia – city

Times Past: Haircuts

What do you remember of hairdressers in your youth? I’m looking forward to reading  you memories…….