Question for the ladies...

[mobrien316]

Yesterday my wife was out shopping and she saw another woman with a hairstyle that she admired. She went up to the woman and very politely said something along the lines of, "Sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to say that I love your haircut! Would you mind if I asked where you go to get your hair done, and what you ask for to get that particular cut?"

(I wasn't there, but that is what my wife recalls saying.)

The woman seemed to be quite pleasant, but she said, "No, I don't think so."

My wife was a bit puzzled, apologized for bothering her, and continued shopping.

An aisle or two later the woman walked up to my wife and said something like, "I really can't believe you would ask that! That's very rude!" And then she walked away.


It's not a huge deal, but it puzzled my wife and puzzled me.
My question to the female members of the forums is: Would something like that bother you at all? If so, why?

I can't imagine another guy asking where I get my hair cut, but if a guy walked up to me and said he liked my car and where did I get it, or he said 'that's a nice ski jacket, where did you get it?' I really can't imagine getting offended about that.

[G35 Mass]

I am so glad I'm a guy.

[Cat_Doc]

Them wimmen can be a bit strange.

You have to be careful giving a compliment.

For example, I once complemented a female coworker on her outfit. She immediately went into a huff and demanded to know what was wrong with the one she was wearing the day before!

Best just not to say anything outside of normal work product.

[retdetsgt]

Best just not to say anything outside of normal work product.

I was considered aloof by a lot of women at work because I was very careful in my conversations with them, but I saw a lot of my male co workers to down in flames because they said something innocent, but stupid.

[KazK]

I don't know the 'customs' where you are but I can say that neither myself nor any female friends of mine in England or Australia would be offended by that...

How strange.

The only insight I can give is that your wife's opening words remind me of a little marketing ploy that some hairdressers have used in London. While innocently walking down the street you may have a bubbly person ambush you to say "WOW I love your hair? It looks GREAT! Where did you get that done???" The last time this happened to me all I could do was laugh because it had been about 8 months since I'd had a haircut and I did not look like a supermodel. The bubbly person will then launch into telling you about where you could go for your next haircut. And while you're still stunned/surprised/laughing they'll shove a card in your hand.

So my initial thought was that perhaps that lady had been approached previously in that manner.

But sounds like she actually was offended. I'd really like to say it's just that lady. But I admit, women folk are an odd lot...

[retdetsgt]

I don't know the 'customs' where you are but I can say that neither myself nor any female friends of mine in England or Australia would be offended by that...

Seems over the top for here too. I asked my wife and she said she would take it as a compliment. Jerks are included in all genders and international.

[Gumtree]

If someone asked me that, it wouldn't bother me in the least.

Whether I would take it as a complement or just take it in my stride, I don't know.

But I certainly wouldn't be offended or class it as being bad mannered.

---------------

Them wimmen can be a bit strange.

But I admit, women folk are an odd lot...

Sometimes yes, unfortunately

I'm a female & I'm not scared to admit that I more often then not, shake my head at the way females sometimes think & behave....

I work in a supermarket, & I've generally found that it is the females that get on their high horse about something..... and let you know about it, in uncertain terms & tones.....

Males seem to only be a problem when they are under the influence .... & then they are not cranky, but umm........... ........... *runs away fast*

[ET109]

Maybe she misheard or misunderstood her.

One time somebody yelled something out a window... I could have sworn he shouted "Police! Come chat with me and sniff around my vehicle for the odor of fresh marijuana!" Turns out he was just making oinking noises for some reason. Miscommunications happen.

[canuckofapeach]

I have given and received compliments to/from women without the type of reaction your wife experienced.

Putting it more succinctly -- that woman was a b1tch.

[mobrien316]

I have given and received compliments to/from women without the type of reaction your wife experienced.

Putting it more succinctly -- that woman was a b1tch.

That was pretty much what I told my wife.


But this is the kind of thing that will bother my wife for some time... She keeps bringing it up and trying to figure out what she might have said to justify the other woman's reaction.
"Was I too pushy?"
"Was I rude?"
"Was I being too nosy?"
Etc...


I have just told her to try not to worry about it, and to never speak to another woman in any store ever again...

[retdetsgt]

I have just told her to try not to worry about it, and to never speak to another woman in any store ever again...

Or find her car and slash her tires. That helps too!

[pafindr]

Back when I lived in MI my then GF's mother had the same experience. She did hair on the side and wanted to learn more about some lady's hair style so she could try to do it.

The only thing that we could think of was that the lady thought it was rude to "steal" her sense of style. Like taking away the only thing she had that made her different from all the other women.
Some people are just very vain.

[retdetsgt]

The only thing that we could think of was that the lady thought it was rude to "steal" her sense of style. Like taking away the only thing she had that made her different from all the other women.
Some people are just very vain.

Yeah, I'm kinda ticked that Cat_Doc stole my hair style.....

[pafindr]

Yeah, I'm kinda ticked that Cat_Doc stole my hair style.....

Come on we all know you got your hair style from Darin.

[retdetsgt]

I wish!!! I can comb my hair with a washrag....