Considering I’m a bald man (and proud of it), I spend an inordinate amount of time at the barber shop in China getting my “hair” shampooed and cut.  Let me explain.

In the US a haircut is pretty cut-and-dry (pardon the pun).  It’s more about the end product than the experience.  In China it’s more like a complete spa experience.  A shampoo includes a scalp and shoulder/neck/arm massage.  It lasts about 20 minutes.  I get a few giggles from the ladies in the shop as they watch the bald man get his invisible hair shampooed.  I don’t care.  I’m there for the massage.  After the shampoo the nice girl cleans out your ears, which is a little unnerving the first time, but now I’m use to it.  Then a quick haircut – and yet another shampoo.  All of this for US$3.17.  Even though there’s no tipping in China, we usually give the barber (owner) a 100RMB bill for the experience.  That’s a 400% tip from the American high-rollers.

The first time I went to this place for a haircut the barber asked me (using hand gestures) how short I wanted my hair cut. I just pointed to his head and he understood immediately.

Two of my kids (Vanessa & Colin) have also enjoyed the experience. When I’m in China I get a haircut the day I arrive and the day before I leave.  Usually 10 – 14 days between treatments.  Nice.

Check out the kid’s expression.  What the…!!

Vanessa getting her hair colored.

Colin going short for our Tibet trip.

I think I may have proposed marriage to her after this shampoo (and a few too many Tsing Taos)

Pat entering a Zen state during a shampoo / massage.

Oh, I also tried my first mud pack.  Only US$1.58 for a fresh face.