Back to Situations

Initial Consultation and Style Discussion

Upon arrival, the customer discusses their desired haircut and style with the stylist, who offers suggestions and clarifies details.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Stylist (Female)
Hi there! Welcome. What are we doing with your hair today?
2
Customer (Male)
Hi! I'm looking for something fresh, but nothing too drastic. Maybe just a trim to clean it up and a bit of shaping around the sides.
3
Stylist (Female)
Okay, a trim and some shaping. Do you have a specific length in mind for the trim? And by 'shaping', do you mean a bit more texture or just cleaning up the lines?
4
Customer (Male)
For the trim, I'd say just about an inch off the top. And for the shaping, yes, definitely cleaning up the lines and making it look neater. My hair tends to get a bit messy on the sides.
5
Stylist (Female)
Understood. So, a classic, clean look, I presume? Are you open to any layers, or do you prefer a more uniform style?
6
Customer (Male)
A classic, clean look sounds great. I'm open to a few subtle layers if you think it would add some volume without making it too poofy. What do you think?
7
Stylist (Female)
I think subtle layers would be perfect for your hair type; it'll give it more movement and prevent it from looking flat. We can keep the sides tighter and gradually blend them up. How does that sound?
8
Customer (Male)
That sounds exactly like what I'm looking for! Great. Let's do that.
9
Stylist (Female)
Excellent! Just to confirm, no changes to your current hair color, right? Just the cut.
10
Customer (Male)
That's right, just the cut for today. Thanks!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

trim

A trim means cutting a small amount of hair to make it neat without changing the style much. It's useful when you want a simple haircut.

drastic

Drastic means a big or extreme change. Use it to say you don't want something too different, like 'nothing too drastic' in a salon.

shaping

Shaping refers to styling or cutting hair to give it a specific form, like making the sides neater. It's common in haircut discussions.

texture

Texture in hair means the feel or look of the hair, like adding roughness or waves. Say 'more texture' to ask for a less smooth style.

layers

Layers are different lengths of hair cut into the style to add volume and movement. It's a popular term for modern haircuts.

subtle

Subtle means not obvious or extreme, like gentle changes. Use it for small adjustments, e.g., 'subtle layers' in styling.

volume

Volume means fullness or thickness in hair. Ask for 'more volume' if you want hair that looks thicker and bouncier.

poofy

Poofy describes hair that is too fluffy or big in an unwanted way. It's informal and helps express avoiding overly voluminous styles.

blend

To blend means to mix or fade parts of the hair smoothly, like blending sides into the top. Useful for describing seamless cuts.

cut

Cut refers to the haircut itself. It's a general term, like 'just the cut' to mean only trimming without coloring.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

What are we doing with your hair today?

This is a polite way to start a conversation in a salon, asking about the customer's haircut plans. It's useful for service workers; the 'we' makes it friendly and inclusive.

I'm looking for something fresh, but nothing too drastic.

This sentence expresses wanting a change that's new but not extreme. It's great for customers to describe preferences; 'looking for' shows desire, and 'but' contrasts ideas.

Do you have a specific length in mind?

This clarifying question helps understand details. Use it to ask for more info; 'in mind' means thinking of something specific, common in consultations.

For the trim, I'd say just about an inch off the top.

This specifies haircut details politely. 'I'd say' softens the suggestion; 'just about' means approximately, useful for giving measurements in everyday talks.

I'm open to a few subtle layers if you think it would add some volume.

This shows flexibility in suggestions. 'Open to' means willing to consider; conditional 'if' explains reasons, helpful for negotiating preferences.

That sounds exactly like what I'm looking for!

This expresses agreement and excitement. Use it to confirm choices; 'sounds like' compares ideas, a natural way to show satisfaction in dialogues.

Just to confirm, no changes to your current hair color, right?

This verifies details before proceeding. 'Just to confirm' is polite for double-checking; 'right?' seeks agreement, common in service interactions.

That's right, just the cut for today. Thanks!

This confirms and ends the discussion simply. 'That's right' agrees; it's useful for quick responses and shows politeness with 'Thanks!'