I'll listen to anyone with healthy hair, regardless of type, race, and length. I may not follow everything, but I do listen. We basically say the same things: low manipulation, good protein/moisture balance, patience, etc. I don't listen to people who swear they can do anything with their hair-- of course, they can and they do. That's why it's always a good 3 inches.
I don't listen to people who don't live a healthy lifestyle. If you're not concerned with what goes into your body, I can't trust your judgement when it comes to what you put on your head. I try to listen, but I end up making my grocery list.
As of today, I've officially decided not to go to any stylist without 4 hair unless I have reliable references. I've only done this twice, and both times they thought they were capable of "handling" my natural hair... And then failed the big exam. This woman today listened on everything, except when it came to detangling my hair. She raked through the ends like shed lost her mind. Thank God, I'd already done it before I left the house! I'd even flat ironed a few days ago! I had to do a scoff and duck. She's like, "Your hair is so thick." I'm like, "Actually it's not at all. I have fine strands. I don't care much about what my weave looks like, but I want to keep every inch on my head." Then, she's giving me the "represent the salon" spiel. Yes...and I'm going to tell EVERYONE if I suddenly have messed up ends. What is so difficult about detangling from the bottom up?