Everyone was right about the owner having a horrible attitude. I don't know if it was due to me being Asian or having really thick hair, or if it was the 20-minute walk up the hill but, what started out as getting a cut from the infamous Mike very quickly became a worry of what had I gotten myself into. Right off the bat he asked me what I wanted done. I told him I wanted shave on both sides (2 block with a fade) and if he can keep the top a bit long so I can slick it back. he asked me how short did I want my hair on the side, I told him 3 mm, to which he looked at me with a condescending look and said " 3 milli? you have no idea what you are talking about."
The rest of my cut was not pleasant either, he told me to let him decide how he wants to do my hair... (uh....ok?) then proceeded to VERY aggressively pushing the razor into my head whilst telling me to hold still...(uh....okay?) For the rest of the cut, I spent my time trying to balance out the momentum of my head being pushed, trying to stay as still as possible and pushing my head back towards the electric shaver to balance out his inefficiency of realizing that I am a human being and not a mannequin.
From there on he proceeded to tell me that I was sticky, ( because I had to sit in his fanless shop while waiting for a barber on a 28 degrees hot summer's day.) as well as said my hair was dirty (which I had showered before I left the house) then said I probably use really cheap hair product in my hair (which...I wasn't even wearing any hair product..so...uh...okay?) . Then proceed to say that whoever cut my hair before him did a complete garbage job (sorry Uptown barbers, don't let his mean words hurt your feelings, I think you did an amazing job)
in the midst of this whole thing, after the cut Mike proceed to look at me with a dirty look (maybe that's what he always looks like..I'm not sure) but told me, "next time you come back, wash your fucking hair Ya?" to which ..once again...(uh..okay? its cute that you think I'm coming back...) but SERIOUSLY who says that?!? especially to their first-time clients?
I really do feel that first impressions last. and for a first time at a salon that I had high hopes for I was majorly disappointed.
The guy who got his haircut before me gave Mike, two 20 dollar bills for his 21$ haircut to which Mike gave him 15 dollars in change back... (the guy was like..uh..I gave you a 40? its 21 dollars right? Mike said, yea, and here's 15 back... the guys says...uh...ok? so ...25 is okay?? to which Mike says...yah, its good."
........
this is the first time I've ever seen ANYONE decide what they should get tipped on...
I mean, I understand people work hard for their tips but to give incorrect change right off the bat is really REALLY messed up.
I know that a lot of people had good experiences here and Mike has been cutting hair for over 22 years, however, in the 22 years I've been getting my hair cut...including different salons and barbers stretching from Canada to the Cali to Japan to Taiwan with price range from 10 dollar cuts to 75 dollar cuts.
This is the first time I've been so blatantly disrespected.
To be honest, I feel like this is a very capable barber shop that probably doesn't need my business but if I was to say, you are hoping to check it out for the first time. Save your money and go down the street to the various different barber shops on Main that would treat you much better and occasionally costing less for the cut as well.
I was VERY, VERY disappointed with this place. Seriously read more