Haircuts and Loss of Translation

Ladies if you need to get your haircut in the future, just come to Taiwan. Yesterday I wandered into a 'small' salon near my house. I didn't have low expectations, but I certainly did not expect what followed. An adorable young lady in a uniform bounced up to me, led me to a seat and then turned on a small TV set in the mirror. I was brought hot tea and she proceeded to allow me to flick through TV channels while she gave me a shoulder and back massage. Really. Unbelievable - at least to me. After about ten glorious minutes of getting those knots in my shoulders out, she went into an long and intricate scalp massage using shampoo. I didn't even have to move from my chair until it came time to rinse. What was even better about this process was that she didn't avoid talking to me because I couldn't understand. She was so sweet about asking simple questions so that I wouldn't feel out of it. When I did move to get my hair rinsed, she went through the process massaging my temples and then placing a hot clothe on the back of my neck. I practically melted I was so relaxed.
Back to the chair, another woman came around wearing a different uniform. She gave me a book of hairstyles but called over one of the other patrons who could speak English in order to translate what I wanted. Snip, snip, snip. Finished, a different young lady came to dry my hair, then finally styled it. You can imagine I was getting a bit nervous at this point. You see, I hadn't expected all this and I was imagining this huge bill at the end. With trepidation I went to the counter to pay. Fifteen dollars. It all cost fifteen dollars. Yes, jaw drops, mouth gapes. A Wal-mart haircut in the States costs at least ten - in Taipei for fifteen you can come out relaxed and happy. Of course you have to have an hour or so to spare out of your day, but it's totally worth it! For some reason I think of all the ladies I know and how much they would love it - Barb, Liz, Lydia, Terri....ah the list goes on and on. So if you ladies ever come my way, I know exactly where to take you first :).