A Finnish hairdresser is offering the perfect solution to her customers who would rather not make small talk during their appointment: a chat-free 'silent service'.

Kati Hakomeri has introduced the special booking for clients who would prefer not to make polite chit-chat about their future holidays, weekend plans or the weather.

She appears to be on to something, too, telling a local newspaper that there appears to be a gap in the market for the special booking option which has proved popular in her salon in her hometown of Helsinki.

'I'm an introvert myself and I understand how uncomfortable it can be for a client to have to make small talk,' she tells Helsingin Sanomat.

The hairdresser says many people see getting a trim as a situation that requires social interaction, something that can be intimidating for introverts.

Kati Hakomeri has introduced the special booking for clients who would prefer not to make polite chit-chat about their future holidays, weekend plans or the weather

Many of her clients also work in loud environments - such as nurseries or building sites - and so like to escape to the salon for some peace and quiet.

Others have large families at home and therefore no opportunity for silence.

'If you're met by a bunch of screaming brats when you get home, you can sit here for a while and rest your ears,' Hakomeri adds.

Another reason for silence, she says, is that there is simply nothing new to discuss.

Many of her male clients visit her salon every four weeks. 'If nothing new has happened in life during that time, why talk about it,' she says.

Through her salon's online booking system, customers can opt in for a quiet visit in advance of their appointment.

'A haircut without talking. After the consultation you can be on your own, recharge your batteries and relax,' the service says online.

Even when her customers have not explicitly said they want a quiet session, Hakomeri says she is rarely the one to initiate conversation. 

She says she takes other cues from her customers, as the wish for a silent haircut can be communicated through other means, such as the customer avoiding eye contact, scrolling through their phone, or reading a magazine.

'It's a security measure that he doesn't get into the conversation,' she adds.

Another bonus for her introverted clients is that Hakomeri tends to work alone, and therefore her customers don't even have to listen to other conversations.

Instead, they can relax to the sound of the scissors and a background radio.

She does get some chatty customers, she says.

Hakomeri says people often talk to her about anything from mundane small talk to opening up about personal issues, such as relationships or life crises.

The hairdresser considers herself to be a trusted person - someone who is there to listen when people need it, and even offer advice.

In one case, she recalls, an elderly customer had come in shortly after his wife had died, leaving him on his own.

He revealed to Hakomeri that he did not know how to cook. 

Hakomeri appears to be on to something, too, telling a local newspaper that there appears to be a gap in the market for the special booking option which has proved popular in her hometown of Helsinki. Pictured: Hakomeri's salon

'He asked what should be bought in the store. We made a shopping list. I advised that it is worth buying vegetables and how to make minced meat sauce,' she said.

In another case, Hakomeri said a customer selected the 'silent service' but then chatted away for the whole appointment.

The hairdresser asked at the end of the hair cut whether it was a mistake on the booking form, to which the customer replied saying they thought the silent option only applied to Hakomeri herself. 

'We laughed at this together,' she said.