Getting Haircuts in the UK

I know this sounds weird, but I am actually a little worried about communicating to a barber in the UK how I get my hair cut.  How I normally describe it to a new barber in the US is as follows:

"I need a #2 on the sides with a low fade; finger length on top with it just a little longer in the front"

This sounds like what I wore for over a decade!  At one point, I got it buzzed all over with a # 3.  When I started letting it grow out, I found that my hair now has some waves.  I've got a bob now.

Worst scenario is that you can wait until you fly 'home' to get your hair cut. I know a lot of non-UK girls who simply won't get their hair cut here--Czech, Singaporean, Polish, Italian, Omani, etc. Also, my best friend here will travel literally across London back to where she grew up for a trim. One of those girls needed a cut but waited longer than usual because she was flying back to her country of origin in a couple of months--I joked with her saying, 'you flew home just to get your hair cut'. It's so amusing to me (though I understand the mentality, I did it for my first year here) but hey, hair is very important, can't be cut by just 'anybody'

I have only one hair dresser I have ever liked at all and she was in Ft. Lauderdale.  She was worth paying for!  
Why do hair cuts have to be so bloody expensive?  

I've not had my hair cut in well over 18 months -I'd rather spend my cash on other things and I just can't justify the expense.  

I know exactly how I like my hair cut, and I'm pretty bossy about it. I have a side fringe, angled starting at my eyebrow. I like to have them cut dry, because I have wavy hair, too, and it really springs up when it's blow dried. I have layers, longest just to my shoulder, shortest around my ear, and I like them choppy. I have it textured with a razor.

If it's not done right, we will sit there until they fix it. I was worried about that the first time I got my hair cut in the UK. And in fact, I was so nervous that I was less bossy than usual!  My layers weren't right, and I have VERY thick hair, so it really bothered me until I had it fixed a couple months later in the US... This time, I went to supercuts, and the girl was great. Did everything as I asked. Hopefully that wasn't just a fluke!

I know this sounds weird, but I am actually a little worried about communicating to a barber in the UK how I get my hair cut.  How I normally describe it to a new barber in the US is as follows:

"I need a #2 on the sides with a low fade; finger length on top with it just a little longer in the front"

This usually does well for US people, but I am realizing that UK people might not use terms like "#2" for a length.  Is there anything I need to be aware of?

You'll be ok with the numbers, as stated, just check they are the same. I usually have #4. I don't know what "low fade" is but maybe the barber does. I'm British and never know what he's talking about! Many years of having really long hair I guess......he asks me if I want "square neck or tapered", I've have both and still don't know the difference!