Does anyone else spill their guts to their hair stylist/colorist? I swear, every time I see Lola (the one who beautifies me), she should charge extra for all the advice she gives me! One time she mentioned that her clients often reveal secrets or info they’d normally like to keep on the DL when she’s washing their hair. There’s gotta be some sort of study that proves that people let down their guard when someone is rubbing their head…
Anyhow, when Lola and I are done with our sesh, I not only feel lighter after having my mane layered, de-thickened and highlighted, but I also feel lighter in spirit. Airing stuff out with her takes a load off. It helps that she’s an amazingly non-judgmental person, and since she’s a little older than me, she offers pearls of wisdom based on her life’s trials and errors. I’ve always acted as a pseudo-therapist for a lot of my friends, so I’m glad that I could also offer her a listening ear and guidance.
My connection with Lola is today’s crankiness crusher. That, and the chocolate peanut butter egg I ate shortly after my appointment. 🙂
Here’s a not-so flattering-pic of me with my coiffed hair getting a chocolate fix.
For those of my friends who celebrate Easter, have a wonderful time with your family!
xoxo
Tara Rummell Berson
The Crankiness Crusher™ 
Apr 23, 2011 @ 21:42:01
Interesting note on the revealing secrets while having head rubbed idea. Understand though that I have no scientific basis for this, merely my own observations and deductions.
Now, it may seem that I am going of tangent a little, but trust me and you will see where I am going with this…
If you think of animals in the wild or even of humans (whether in the wild or not is up to you), one of our most vulnerable points is our throat, specifically the jugular vein. It makes sense that in normal and natural circumstances that we protect that area of our bodies in unfamiliar circumstances or around people we do not necessarily trust. Note that cats and dogs that love and trust you are more than willing to rub up against you and expose their throats fully. Ones that are uncertain will get down low and keep that area of their body covered.
In a similar vein, people who are close to each other can be very comfortable when in a shared personal space. Conversely being in a shared personal space can lead to feelings of closeness that may not have been there initially – kind of like a chicken and egg situation. This was something I noted in my time as a dance teacher.
Now, getting back to your head rubbing/hair washing scenario. In that situation you are exhibiting a great deal of trust through exposing your throat and jugular. Now this may be an unconscious thing but add to that the fact that you are letting someone stand behind you where you cannot see them and allowing them to lay their hands on you. You are very definitely putting your trust in this person. Subconsciously your mind is acknowledging this and allowing that it is okay to let your guard down as a consequence the things we might say in that situation can tend to be a little less censored than normally.
So the question is then, are you trusting this person and putting yourself in that position, or is being in that open and vulnerable position leading to feelings of trust that may not have been there under normal circumstances?
Apr 23, 2011 @ 22:31:04
Things that make you go hmmmm…
I think that because you’re in a vulnerable position combined with the fact that the person is making you feel good while washing your hair leads you to trust him or her more readily. Or maybe rubbing your head stimulates you to spout out whatever is on your mind?!
Apr 23, 2011 @ 22:51:10
Wishing you a wonderful Easter, too! I enjoy every one of your blog entries.
Apr 23, 2011 @ 22:55:40
Thank you so much, Pat! I’m so glad that you’re reading and enjoying my blog. Happy Easter! xoxo
Apr 24, 2011 @ 00:33:00
Happy Easter to you as well!