Do you think hairdresser hear what they want to hear when you tell them what you would like?

ha, yes some do.

No. Did you think I got this haircut on purpose?

Most do not listen, but mine does, and that's why I will remain a loyal customer even though her prices are a little higher than others in my area. Getting what I want is worth the price, and she can talk AND cut hair at the same time, which ALOT of hairdressers seem unable to do! :)

based on my experiences, yes.

Oh, sometimes! I've gotten some ridiculous cuts, and colours over the years. But you have to have an idea what you think would look good on you, and keep to it!

Yes, but it's really no different than a painter hearing what they want to hear. In art (and a hairdresser is an artist, in a sense), the artist has to be given the freedom to assimilate public expectation with ones own artistic integrity. You can ask 5 different tattoo artists, for example, to give you a dragon tattoo and you will have 5 very different looking results. Some people merely have an idea of what looks good to them.

Communicating with an artist is completely different than doing so with a scientist or servant. You won't always get the results that you expect. They do what they do, and many hear what they want to hear, i.e., that which is filtered through their own preferences. People can get annoyed by this because unlike 95% of the rest of the workforce, they don't usually perform consistent little tasks as robotic slaves.

I've had some pretty bad haircuts...now I watch their eyes to see if they are listening to me, or thinking about something a zillion miles away—like planning a vacation...

I think you get what you pay for.
I agree with Zombiekittie. It is a matter of finding someone you like and trust. Even if it means you pay a little bit more for your service.

Yes, I get the most strange hair cuts sometimes. I always make a point of buying hair magazines and arming myself with pictures now. Sad thing is when it all goes wrong I still bloody well tip the buggers!

Last hairdresser I went to replied "I'll try my best" the result was nowhere near what I'd asked for. I cut it myself now. How is it, I can do what I want but she couldn't?

I have been to the hairdressers and explained how I wanted my hair cut unfortunatly it was not what I asked for so ?I refused to pay.