Dear EFAP: Confused by the cost of a cut

Thank you to those who have written to “dear efap” for input on your dilemmas. As you are aware, we read every inquiry that comes in but we are only able to print a small selection of responses.  Our “pithy” answers are modeled after the lighter hearted Dear Abby style and are grounded in common sense.  If your issues require a more personalized level of support please call EFAP (1-800-505-4929) and we can confidentially book you a counselling appointment with a senior level therapist.

We welcome all inquiries – please submit these to dear.efap@efap.ca. All printed responses use the anonymous descriptor that you sign your inquiry with and do not reveal any identifying information. Our goal is to support you through insight and common sense.

Below is our response to the next selection – enjoy!

I recently cut my hair short – it’s fun and flirty and my guy loves it! He thinks it’s sassy and enhances my already gorgeous looks (yes, he’s a keeper for sure, and he also has short hair). The problem is this: we were getting ready to go to a wedding this past weekend so I popped off to the salon, and he to the barber shop, to get fresh trims for the event. My salon charged me $$$$ for my cut, and my guy returned with a cut that only cost him $$. This seems so unfair, what do you think?

• Shocked by the Locks$$

Dear Shocked by the Locks$$,

This is an interesting issue and falls into the realm of gender pricing discrimination (GPD). GPD occurs when men and women are charged different amounts for similar products and/or services. Think nail salon, dry cleaners – these are just a few places where this nasty little practice can show up.

Interestingly, if you were in Denmark with this dilemma, their board of equal treatment has ruled that a woman with short hair must pay the same price for a haircut as a man with short hair. The U.S. also has several “hair equality” provisions of its own! For example, New York City has its own law against gender-pricing discrimination. In 2012 The Wall Street Journal reported that the bulk of the violations to this law, cited by the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs, were committed by hair salons and barbershops.

Unfortunately, and rather pathetically, there appear to be no laws in Canada that prohibit this practice. Do I think it’s unfair? You bet. What can you do about it? Well, I suppose you could write a letter to our rather longer haired Prime Minister notifying him of this area of discrimination that’s alive in our fair land (I wonder how much he pays to have his curls cut?). Or, you could skip across the border and get equal priced cuts, or you could be very exotic and head to Denmark with you fella for your next trim. While the first idea sounds like the wisest, the last idea sounds like the most fun!

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The advice offered in this column is meant to be used as general guidance based on the facts provided. The opinions or views expressed should not be relied on as treatment or counselling services. If you are a VCH staff member and find yourself in need of counselling or support, please contact EFAP toll free at 1-800-505-4929 or 604-872-4929, your family doctor, or another appropriately trained and qualified specialist.