'Strangers should mind their own business about my child-free status'

[wolfpurplemoon]

It was supposed to be an innocent, throwaway half-hour in the hairdresser’s chair. But when does a pre-wedding blow-dry become the Spanish inquisition? When babies, or lack thereof, are mentioned.

Now, I love a chatty hairstylist as much as the next barnet, but perhaps the rudiments of polite client chat should be covered in training along with the basics of foil highlights. Because things can get boring — and sexist — pretty quickly.

Initially, we talk about the wedding that I am due to attend, and what kind of wedding I might like myself.

“The non-existent kind,” I reply, breezily.
This does not go down well.

“What about babies?” asks the stylist, herself a young mother. (Read more)

Comments

[stardreamer]

I got harangued for half an hour by a hairdresser once. I don't even remember how the topic came up. Needless to say, it was the last time I went to that shop!

These days I have a better cork for that conversation. Asked about what kind of wedding I'd like to have, I can either say, "Been there, done that, SO glad I never have to do it again!" (absolute truth) or, "I tried that once. It didn't work out so well." (again, absolute truth but with a false implication). Either of those will probably derail the topic unless the hairdresser is actively malicious instead of just clueless.

[wolfpurplemoon]

Yeah nosy people totally put me off visiting their business again, small talk with a near-stranger is just not something I enjoy sustaining - luckily for me I haven't been near a hairdresser in years!

[delight]

I tell people that I "can't" have kids a lot.





It's true, I'd be miserable if I did and it'd totally ruin my life.

[wolfpurplemoon]

haha, exactly!

[underused]

"It’s not... a competition."

THIS. I feel like actually saying this to people who question (or impugn) the decision not to have kids might be a good response.I think people who've never questioned the idea of having kids don't hear themselves from the other side of the conversation. I think once you framed it that way, it would be hard for them *not* to hear it.