Rebecca Manzi At the beginning it was only to limit the spread of Covid-19, but then this service caught on: going to the hairdresser to cut your hair while remaining silent without unwanted conversations and in total relaxation
@Luis Quintero
A new trend is catching on in Japan: getting a haircut in complete silence. While it may be weird for some, considering how chatty hair salons generally are, this option tends to meet the growing demand for moments of peace in today’s hectic world.
The idea, originally offered by Hair Works Credo, a Tokyo salon, lets clients decide how much they want to talk: a little, none, or all, which is called kaiwa nashi, a term that roughly translates to “no conversation.” The concept has appealed to introverts and others who want a break from talking.
“Kaiwa Nashi” gains wider acceptance
Takahiro Noguchi, the owner of the salon, said that a service which was initially targeted at shy clients soon grew to be much more mainstream. Today, some 60 percent of his customers prefer to cut down or avoid small talk during their haircut sessions.
This approach lets clients relax in various ways—reading, listening to music, or simply enjoying the soothing sound of scissors. However, silent sessions require greater effort on the part of hairstylists, who have to pay closer attention to non-verbal cues in order to understand clients’ needs.
A concept rooted in the pandemic
The roots of this practice trace back to the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Japanese government encouraged “no conversation” policies to reduce the spread of airborne droplets. Initially implemented as a health precaution, it unveiled unexpected benefits.
The silent option proved to be a relief for many customers who regarded salon conversations as unnecessary or even stressful. Some even confessed that for years, they had wished for such a service and avoided haircuts because of how salon conversations weighed them down.
The service has continued unabated even after pandemic-related restrictions were eased. Incidentally, the advantages of this facility go beyond customers. Some hairstylists have also embraced the idea, explaining that this lets them focus better on their craft without the pressure of maintaining unwelcome conversations.
The growing popularity of kaiwa nashi reflects broader cultural shifts in Japan, where solitude and introversion are part of everyday life. It’s a novel solution for those seeking to manage the level of social interaction in daily activities.
