I am a hairdresser, but I am shy

Hello everyone!

This time, I'll just ramble on in an essay style.

Hairdresser—what kind of image do you have of them? Even from my perspective as a hairdresser, they have an image of having high communication skills.

I don't feel shy at all when I'm working, and I'm totally fine. It's probably because the roles of "customer" and "hairdresser" are well-established.

Basically, I just need to talk about hair, and even when making small talk, if the customer wants to talk, I can just focus on listening and nodding along.

Well, it's mywork mode!

It's not quite like I'm acting, but it's not that painful either. Still, I do get nervous with first-time customers!

But in my private life, it's a no-go. I end up being shy in just the right way lol
I just don't know what to talk about.

Usually, I just manage to get through it with a mature attitude lol

~~~~~

When my first-grade sons come home from school, they oftengo to play at the neighborhood park. If it's my day off, I take them.
(Or do they take me?)

The park we always go to isn't that big, but it's a place where local elementary school students and toddlers tend to gather.

Four swings, a horizontal bar, a slide, a seesaw, a sandbox, and two benches.

I guess it's about two-thirds the size of a school gymnasium. I can't find a good analogy lol

So, one day we went to play at that park, and there was a day when children kept gathering one after another.

And that day, two dads of my son's classmates also joined in. We've known each other since nursery school, so we are acquaintances.

"Hello!"
"Hello!"

Greetings are no problem!
As a working professional, that's a given!

...However, I can't keep the conversation going after that.

So, I've decided to keep a certain distance lol

→ Physical distance.
I maintain a distance where it doesn't look unnatural even if we don't talk.

→ Psychological distance.
I intentionally talk to the children so I don't give them an opening.

No, I do want to get along with people!
But I don't know what to talk about.
I end up being hesitant lol

~~~~~

Meanwhile, as for my son.

What's shyness? he says, as he talks to anyone and everyone.

Not just at a park he's used to, but even at places like children's play areas he's visiting for the first time, he makes friends with strangers right away.
Regardless of whether they are older or younger than him.

(My son's communication skills are amazing...)

There are shy kids, and in fact, I was one of them, so I wonder who he takes after? lol

~~~~~

On the other hand, my wife.

High communication skills.
(He must take after my wife!)

It's not an extrovert's high energy, but more of a balanced way of talking while reading the room. She's the type who can talk to relatively anyone.

So, my wife is in charge of communicating with other parents. I just stand next to her and smile lol

No, seriously, it's a huge help.

~~~~~

The other day, my son's friend said,
"My dad is a hairdresser..." and I decided to take the plunge and talk to him.

To my surprise,it turned out we were the same age and both hairdressers!

Such coincidences really do happen!
I realized that it's worth trying to strike up a conversation!

That led us to exchange LINE contacts. It's nice to feel like I've made a dad friend!

...Well, I haven't contacted him even once, haha.

We've reached the point where we'll talk if we meet, but exchanging messages might still be a long way off, haha.

~~~~~

I hate to say it myself, but I don't feel like my shyness comes across on note.
What do you think?

Maybe it's because I can take my time with written communication and think things through calmly!

If we were to meet in real life, I might not be able to talk well after all, haha.
Still, I do imagine it would be fun if we could meet!

I envy people who have the social skills to get along with anyone!!

That's my story about being shy despite having 20 years of experience as a hairdresser!

Thank you for reading!