The Hair Salon

My first three years in China, I was too terrified to set foot in a Chinese hair salon as a patron.  I had heard horror stories of chic cuts turned mullets, and the necessity of releasing control into the hands of the “expert” hair dresser.  The “fashionable” hair styles (among them the one nick-named ‘the lion’s mane’…you can imagine what that looks like) were far from what I wanted done with my hair.  Consequently, I kept my hair long and each summer in the States instructed my hair stylist to give me a cut that would grow out well throughout the next year.  This pattern all changed two summers ago.  I decided to get my hair cut while out visiting my friend Kasey in LA.  #1 It’s always fun to get a hair cut with a close girlfriend.  #2 Kasey raved about this hair stylist.  #3 The hair stylist had very reasonable rates.  Kasey convinced me to go for a drastic change and to cut my hair short…really short.  I knew this would require facing my worst fears and getting it cut and maintained in China.  I got the cut.  I loved it.  We took pictures from every angle in the hopes of having it replicated.

So, last fall, armed with my faithful Chinese tutors and my pictures, I headed to one of the nicest salons in town (my tutors chose the place after asking everybody and their brother about the best place for a cut).  My tutors were insistent that the manager of the salon cut my hair.  I wrote about the experience here.  The manager did such a good job, that I’ve returned to him exclusively to cut my hair ever since.  I skipped the hair cut in the states this summer…once you begin paying $4 for a hair cut, it’s awfully hard to go back to $30.  Recently, I took my two new teammates to the salon with me for haircuts.  The following are my observations of the Chinese hair salon:

Observation #1: Most of the hair stylists are men.  However, this career choice does not carry the same implications as in the States.  The women working in the salon are often the hair washers.  Very few of them actually cut hair.

Observation #2: The hair stylists are very fashion forward…usually displaying the very latest trends in clothing, hair styles, and even tattoos.  I think this guy’s scarf adds a very nice touch.

Observation #3: They do strange things with pipe cleaners.  What are they doing?  I don’t know.  Perhaps some sort of perm.

Observation #4: Hair stylists are very prepared.  Note the holster the manager has for all of his tools of the trade.  My manager is also proving the point once again that men are more common and fashion forward.  Only the fashion forward would combine stripes, plaid, and a red leather holster as an accessory.  Ummm…I take that back.  My students combine stripes and plaid all the time.  But the monochromatic theme of his outfit makes it quite snazzy…and dare I say, put-together?

Observation #5: Appointments are completely unnecessary, and in actuality don’t even exist.  As we were discussing monochronic time orientation in class this week, my students were shocked and dismayed to find out that you sometimes have to make a hair appointment at least two weeks in advance in the States.

Observation #6: It’s still wise to bring a Chinese friend along to stand as guard and protector of your hair.  One, it makes you feel a whole lot more safe.  Two, you can quickly halt any undesired experimentation.