M49, I tend to go a bit long between haircuts which is on me, but I seem to have a really hard time explaining that I want short hair, like 20mm / 3/4"

I usually ask for a #2 clipper on the back and sides, (which works fine), then take as much as they off the top so I can still brush it straight up, preferably too short to grab onto.

Basically a cigar butt with eyes, shut up it works for me.

Even indicating with thumb and finger, this somehow gets interpreted as just barely trimming the tips off and painstakingly shaping the surface, barely affecting the overall quantity of hair.

How’s that for length?

What no, get in there with fire and the sword, wreak devastation, I want all of this gone.

:carefully trims another quarter inch off:

It’s not just one guy, not just one place, so I am obviously using wrong and misleading words.

How do I ask for the thing I want?

  • thirteene@lemmy.world
    27·
    3 months ago

    Highly recommend looking up a guide from a hair cutting chain. From the sounds of it you want a crewcut ~20mm 3/4", “blend the sides” so that it transitions well, they might ask what size to buzz the side, you can just say “shorter than the top”. Crew cut will give you the longest time between haircuts as well, take notes of the actual length or clip size so you can be more precise next time. https://www.greatclips.com/lookbook/crew-haircut

    I’ll also drop this in case it helps:

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
      5·
      3 months ago

      Cool thanks, and I think I even have the correct column for my shape!

      It is tough. Apparently some of my haircutters think I look best like ….

    • netvor@lemmy.world
      English
      3·
      3 months ago

      you can just say “shorter than the top”.

      does this mean anything, though?

      I mean, could someone even possibly say “longer than the top” and be taken seriously?

      (And no, no no, stop right there----don’t even think of reminding me that mullets exist.)

      • thirteene@lemmy.world
        2·
        3 months ago

        You can also have a seamless transition, multiple varieties of the fade or a tapered cut. High end barbers also shave art into side of the head. Lots of different options, but generally people do fades.