I guess there is some gender-relationship, but I'm a gal and hate going to a beauty parlor, period. I actually go to the town (small town, pop 3000) barber, who "gets" me. I don't want to be messed with. I don't want to be blow-dried unless it is frigid out. I used to keep my hair medium-long just for ease (just wore it in a French braid) and only had to have it trimmed annually. But for various reasons a couple of years ago the length had to go. She was shocked when my husband told her I was going short, and loaned him a stack of style magazines. I picked a couple, husband and friends picked a couple more. When I went in I showed her what others thought, and which I thought would work for me. She looked at the friends' and husband's selection and said, "You're right, these two won't work with your hair, and this will require more maintenance than you want to deal with. Your choice is it." I've had short hair for a couple of years now and should have done it a couple years before (when I was having skin disease problems). Yeah, now I have to show up every few months, but worth it. I know a couple of other "no fuss with the head" women, and they go to her as well.