Are cheaper haircuts for older people condescending?

[westv]

My local barbers has an "over 55's" price for a hair cut. I've asked them why but the person who did it is never at that branch so they aren't sure. I just find the thought of a cheaper price for those over 55 as condescending.
Does it imply they can't afford the normal price or maybe it suggests if you are over the age your cut isn't as good.
As its the nearest to me I've been several times and most times I've been automatically charged the lower rate. Once I said I would pay the full rate but my wife said I was an idiot not to pay less!

 

[davetheguard]

My hair cut should cost less - I don't have much (over 55) hair to cut!

 

[Snow1964]

I have seen special prices for OAPs for years, in barbers, usually midweek daytime before schools finish. I assume it is quieter time.

Probably not deemed correct to use OAP on a tariff sign anymore, hence the suggested age (which I suspect is never checked, so person bit younger could naughtily claim)

Always assumed it is like off-peak on trains, just trying to utilise capacity by incentivising a group that have freedom to choose their times.

 

[westv]

I have seen special prices for OAPs for years, in barbers, usually midweek daytime before schools finish. I assume it is quieter time.

Probably not deemed correct to use OAP on a tariff sign anymore, hence the suggested age (which I suspect is never checked, so person bit younger could naughtily claim)

Always assumed it is like off-peak on trains, just trying to utilise capacity by incentivising a group that have freedom to choose their times.

There is no time period for the reduction and if getting people in when it was quieter was important then why not charge everybody less if, say, they come in on a Tuesday between 10am and 11am?

 

[Bletchleyite]

My local barbers has an "over 55's" price for a hair cut. I've asked them why but the person who did it is never at that branch so they aren't sure. I just find the thought of a cheaper price for those over 55 as condescending.

Condescending? Why? It reflects that many retirees do have lower disposable income than those in work.

If you dislike it, why not simply tip them up to the higher rate?

I don't find charging me less condescending, I like paying less. (I'm not 55 yet though!)

 

[Dai Corner]

There is no time period for the reduction and if getting people in when it was quieter was important then why not charge everybody less if, say, they come in on a Tuesday between 10am and 11am?

As @davetheguard says, older men tend to have less hair to cut and don't go for the more creative styles so are quicker to deal with so it seems reasonable to charge them less. I've had minimal hair since my 40s but wasn't offered a discount, unfortunately.

Perhaps barbers should charge per minute?!

 

[westv]

As @davetheguard says, older men tend to have less hair to cut and don't go for the more creative styles so are quicker to deal with so it seems reasonable to charge them less. I've had minimal hair since my 40s but wasn't offered a discount, unfortunately.

Then why not charge less for everybody who has less hair?

 

[bearhugger]

The barbers I went to in pre covid times also charged less if I got a haircut using the clippers & a numbered blade all over rather than having a cut using the scissors and being styled a bit more. Going to the barbers has probably been the only thing that has changed for me since the pandemic started.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Perhaps barbers should charge per minute?!

That's not a bad point. It is normal for professionals to charge by the hour (or part thereof), not quite sure why barbers don't do that.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 May 2022 ==

The barbers I went to in pre covid times also charged less if I got a haircut using the clippers & a numbered blade all over rather than having a cut using the scissors and being styled a bit more. Going to the barbers has probably been the only thing that has changed for me since the pandemic started.

I've given up going, bought clippers at the start of the pandemic and just give myself a buzz cut every couple of months when it gets a bit long. Saves a fortune and now I'm practiced at it takes only about 5-10 minutes out of my day (including a shower afterwards) rather than an hour or more to go, queue up, have it done and come back.

 

[jfollows]

I've given up going, bought clippers at the start of the pandemic and just give myself a buzz cut every couple of months when it gets a bit long. Saves a fortune and now I'm practiced at it takes only about 5-10 minutes out of my day (including a shower afterwards) rather than an hour or more to go, queue up, have it done and come back.

Me too, my barber caught Covid early on and decided to retire so I cut my own now as well. Being over 55, I don't find anything condescending about being offered cheaper haircuts, but currently I'm not going to be tempted back to the barber anyway (my former barber's place has been sold as a business and is now going again).

 

[bearhugger]

I've given up going, bought clippers at the start of the pandemic and just give myself a buzz cut every couple of months when it gets a bit long. Saves a fortune and now I'm practiced at it takes only about 5-10 minutes out of my day (including a shower afterwards) rather than an hour or more to go, queue up, have it done and come back.

I've had my own set of clippers for a few years now, I do as much as I can myself & then get the wife to do a quick check around the back of my head to tidy up.

 

[nw1]

Speaking of someone who's not 55 yet, but will turn 55 sometime in the 2020s...

IMO a little yes, too much "boxing" for me and generalising about your age.

Besides, 55 is very, very young to be considered an "older person" these days. Noel Gallagher turns 55 this month, for example.

EDIT: I would have no problems, and indeed would actively support, cheaper haircuts for retired people, of course - based on the fact that they do not have a regular income.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Speaking of someone who's not 55 yet, but will turn 55 sometime in the 2020s...

IMO a little yes, too much "boxing" for me and generalising about your age.

Besides, 55 is very, very young to be considered an "older person" these days. Noel Gallagher turns 55 this month, for example.

I'm astonished how many people look a gift horse in the mouth. You can call me what you like if you save me money!

I genuinely heard someone here say they didn't want a Disabled Railcard because it stigmatised them. I was astonished. It's the best of the lot - 1st included, no restrictions at all and a companion discount! Anyone who is entitled to one really should go for it. I'd rather not have a disability than have the Railcard, obviously, but if I was entitled you can be sure I'd have one ASAP.

 

[westv]

EDIT: I would have no problems, and indeed would actively support, cheaper haircuts for retired people, of course - based on the fact that they do not have a regular income.

What makes you say they don't have a regular income? It may not be an earned income but there's no reason why it can't be regular.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 May 2022 ==

I'm astonished how many people look a gift horse in the mouth. You can call me what you like if you save me money!

I genuinely heard someone here say they didn't want a Disabled Railcard because it stigmatised them. I was astonished. It's the best of the lot - 1st included, no restrictions at all and a companion discount! Anyone who is entitled to one really should go for it. I'd rather not have a disability than have the Railcard, obviously, but if I was entitled you can be sure I'd have one ASAP.

Maybe they didn't want to think of themselves as "disabled" and maybe they thought a disabled railcard was placing them in the "disabled box"??

 

[Bletchleyite]

Maybe they didn't want to think of themselves as "disabled" and maybe they thought a disabled railcard was placing them in the "disabled box"??

Who cares? It's the best discount the railway offers to anyone other than children, and you only have to show it to the small subset of staff who have the right to inspect your ticket, and then only if they ask you to. The chance of being stigmatised is negligible.

 

[nw1]

What makes you say they don't have a regular income? It may not be an earned income but there's no reason why it can't be regular.

Many/most don't, I suspect - I think it's only fair to assume that retired people will have less income than a working person, otherwise some are going to be out of pocket if charged full price for everything.

Similarly, I support the idea of a Senior Railcard and the under-25 Young Persons Railcard, but am more sceptical of a 26-30 railcard, as a good number of people in that age bracket are on a decent income, and would replace it with a means-tested "low income railcard" for any age.

 

[High Dyke]

As @davetheguard says, older men tend to have less hair to cut and don't go for the more creative styles so are quicker to deal with so it seems reasonable to charge them less. I've had minimal hair since my 40s but wasn't offered a discount, unfortunately.

Perhaps barbers should charge per minute?!

I can see a Ryanair style concept here. Your haircut is a set price, but then you pay for extras (using a comb, a bit of spray/gel, a tissue for after).

I've been using the same barbers for over 30 years now. They've had an OAP rate for as long as i care to remember. However, I'm still of an age to pay full price, currently about £10. I always leave a tip for them.

 

[Calthrop]

Who cares? It's the best discount the railway offers to anyone other than children, and you only have to show it to the small subset of staff who have the right to inspect your ticket, and then only if they ask you to. The chance of being stigmatised is negligible.

People feel the way they feel -- feelings are by no means always logical, but can weigh heavily with the person who entertains them. I reckon that I can see both points of view here: can envisage myself being in the camp of "to hell with the saving-money angle; I don't want to feel labelled as a 'defective' person". Different folk will come down on different sides, re this matter -- I'd figure that neither "side" is objectively right or wrong; it's just how one happens to be made.

 

[AM9]

What makes you say they don't have a regular income? It may not be an earned income but there's no reason why it can't be regular.

For many (69% according to here), they are in reciept of a pension from their previous employers, so the payments are earned income. Also, - given that they must have been in employment for a significant time to get a payment from that pension, they would also have been subject to the tax liability of that period so arguably their state pension is also earned.
I have always agreed with pensioner discounts well before I was of the aGE, despite not really needing them and not qualifying for them until over 15 years ago. So Railcards, ENCTS passes, Swimming card (in my case unlimited swims for £115 per annum) for me are not so much a fantastic saving but more an incentive for older citizens to continue to involve themselves in travel, exercise etc.. Of course, there will those below qualifying age that cry 'not fair', but a wider less self-centred view is that in reality, they don't cost much and may even benefit businesses by higher footfalls.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There is an argument that it's unfair on adults between about 25 and 55 who don't tend to get discounts, but this thread suggests that someone would be somehow offended by it. The simple answer is to tip up to the full price if you don't want the discount.

 

[westv]

For many (69% according to here), they are in reciept of a pension from their previous employers, so the payments are earned income. Also, - given that they must have been in employment for a significant time to get a payment from that pension, they would also have been subject to the tax liability of that period so arguably their state pension is also earned.

You misunderstood what I meant by "earned" income. I meant income directly earned from employment, Income you'd pay NI on.

 

[lachlan]

Who cares? It's the best discount the railway offers to anyone other than children, and you only have to show it to the small subset of staff who have the right to inspect your ticket, and then only if they ask you to. The chance of being stigmatised is negligible.

Having a partially sighted person's rail/bus pass in Scotland and a disabled railcard for journeys in England and Wales I can honestly say I've never had any bother or questions asked with either. Refusing a disabled railcard, or a cheaper haircut, because it is condescending or you don't want to be labeled as disabled or "old" is just silly as there's nothing wrong with being either of those.

 

[davews]

Our barber has had a Wednesday oldies price for years. They stopped it during covid to cover their extra costs for the ppe nonsense but it is back now. With my bald scalp I could have qualified many years before I was 55 and have no qualms at claiming it now (approaching 20 years over that..). You need to get early on Wednesdays, it is usually packed out so guess they do quite well out of it.

Did cut my own during covid but it was never satisfactory as don't have that lovely girl in my house to give a hand.

 

[najaB]

I have seen special prices for OAPs for years, in barbers, usually midweek daytime before schools finish. I assume it is quieter time.

This is normally the reason. The thinking being that OAPs have more flexibility in their schedules. I've never seen OAP rates that apply at weekends.

 

[Dai Corner]

This is normally the reason. The thinking being that OAPs have more flexibility in their schedules. I've never seen OAP rates that apply at weekends.

I'd have thought being in and out quickly with little or no queue is also a factor. I'm very much an "off-peak' man whatever I'm doing since retiring.

 

[AM9]

There is an argument that it's unfair on adults between about 25 and 55 who don't tend to get discounts, but this thread suggests that someone would be somehow offended by it. The simple answer is to tip up to the full price if you don't want the discount.

On haircuts I do, but with everything else, the 20-55 year olds chance will come in the future, as it did for me.

You misunderstood what I meant by "earned" income. I meant income directly earned from employment, Income you'd pay NI on.

If you are over state pension age and in employment NI is not payable so if we're talking about senior people, it's an irrelevant threshold for earned income.

 

[yorkie]

My local barbers has an "over 55's" price for a hair cut. I've asked them why but the person who did it is never at that branch so they aren't sure. I just find the thought of a cheaper price for those over 55 as condescending.
Does it imply they can't afford the normal price or maybe it suggests if you are over the age your cut isn't as good.
As its the nearest to me I've been several times and most times I've been automatically charged the lower rate. Once I said I would pay the full rate but my wife said I was an idiot not to pay less!

I have the perfect solution:

• Under 16s get haircuts at half price
• 16-25 get haircuts at 1/3 off, but with a minimum price of £12 at peak times except during July and August
• 26-30 get haircuts at 1/3 off, as above but no July/August relaxation. For haircuts booked in advance, the discount applies at any time.
• 60+ get haircuts a 1/3 off, unless they are requiring a haircut at a peak time and if their place of residence and the address of the hairdresser are both within the South East of England.
• Groups of a minimum of 1 adult + 1 child and a maximum of 4 adults + 4 children get 1/3 off, again with the exclusion stated above for 60+
• Two named people going together at the same time get 1/3 off, except at peak times when no discount applies
• However in some areas there may be promotional 55+ discounts

In order to obtain the discount, a HairCard would need to be purchased.

I'd have thought being in and out quickly with little or no queue is also a factor. I'm very much an "off-peak' man whatever I'm doing since retiring.

I think there should be Super Off Peak options too

Sorry; I couldn't resist. But to give a more sensible answer to the original question, at the end of the day it is market based pricing (ie. based on willingness and/or percieved ability to pay, even if that's wrong!) and also it may be the case that if some shops are offering it, others may feel they need to follow suit to avoid losing those customers.

 

[westv]

If you are over state pension age and in employment NI is not payable so if we're talking about senior people, it's an irrelevant threshold for earned income.

I was replying to you when you queried my statement that retired people don't necessarily have an earned income (which itself was a reply to someone who said retired people don't have a regular income).
I mentioned NI only in passing.

 

[baz962]

Older people also get free bus passes , discounted or don't pay council tax. In my local barber it was called senior citizens discount and it's been around for years. Some restaurants do older as well as children's menus and you can get retirement homes for over 55's. Some attractions too. Many discounts and services for older people than just haircuts.

 

[jfollows]

Older people also get free bus passes , discounted or don't pay council tax. In my local barber it was called senior citizens discount and it's been around for years. Some restaurants do older as well as children's menus and you can get retirement homes for over 55's. Some attractions too. Many discounts and services for older people than just haircuts.

I don't believe there's any discount for older people with council tax, but I'd be glad to know if I'm mistaken!
With one exception I know about - if your home is unoccupied because you've gone to live somewhere else to provide or receive personal care due to age, illness or disability then you don't pay council tax on it.