What Is “Feminine,” Anyway?

I live in a very conservative area and have an alternative hairstyle — short top with buzzed sides — so it can be a bit tricky for me to get a trim when my usual stylist is unavailable. I’ve got an event coming up and have put off getting a haircut for too long, so I settle for the next available stylist and settle in for the usual ordeal with a new hairdresser.

I sit down and describe in detail my exact cut, indicating lengths and trimmer number. In the mirror, I see the hairdresser scrunch her nose and give my hair a once-over.

Hairdresser: “Are you sure about that? It’s not very feminine.”

Instead of my usual assurances, this time I can’t help but blurt out the first thought that crosses my mind.

Me: “I ain’t going for feminine!”

The hairdresser blinked at me before bursting out laughing. She immediately pulled out the trimmer and got cutting with a grin on her face, and she completed the cut beautifully.

Throughout the process, I heard her occasionally mumbling to herself, “I ain’t going for feminine!” and then giggling. We parted with smiles on our faces, and I made sure to leave a good tip and get her name to add to my list of “people allowed to touch my hair.”