At familiar trip to the barber
To the editor:
A haircut was needed. When you can not see your nose, your hair might be in the way. With its 1.3 billion population the art of hair cutting is a large and varied activity. Most hair cutting places are far different from the clip and curls back home. First, you will note the increased number of people. There are a lot for such a small shop.
Trimming locks range from the classical to the extreme new. Classic hair cutting for the men is sitting on a stool while a friend runs clippers around the edges of black. Often you will see the impromptu barber shop in an alley or an alcove. A towel wrapped around the throat keeps loose strands from falling on the clothes. One haircut in this form is about five to 10 RMB. That’s about two dollars.
If one is tempted to have a more professional trim then “hello” spa treatment. Your hair is going to be treated like it’s royalty. First, the various bags, jackets, and parcels are carted off to a cabinet, locked away, and you get the key. Not too different from what you get in the U.S.
You are assigned to a caretaker whose job is to get you a cup of coffee, tea, or water. Then you talk to the hair stylist. Depending on what you select in the way of services you can get a stylist, cutter, artist, or designer. You discuss the terms of the chop. Strands are stirred and fluffed until one thinks that a better occupation would be bottle brush.
Now it’s off to the wash. The seats, and tubs are the same. The activity is not. First, you are given a paper collar around the neck. This is a wee bit amusing as you can picture yourself as a ghost since your head is floating in a sea of white. Then the shampooer douses the mop with water and soap. What follows is five minutes of scalp massage applied with a vigor that will peel the paint off a wall. One never knew that the scalp could be so tense. Rinsed and toweled, it’s off to the cutting station. Working carefully, the designer pulls, folds, twists and ties section of hair and begins the cut. In the meantime, your assistant begins to work on the arms and hands massaging and manipulating the muscles of the fingers. If you want you can also get a pedicure at the same time. Dr. Seuss would have much to say on this picture.
After much teasing, snipping, tugging, and pulling the remaining strands are trimmed and coaxed into a semblance of respectability. Not too bad. Your hair is shorter and the wallet is thinner. A nice Sunday afternoon. Some things change little across cultures. There is no abating the pate’s state.
Orpheus Allison
Guangzhou, China
orpheusallison@mac.com
