I rode my bicycle around Taipei last night looking for a barbershop. This was made difficult because the Moon Festival or Autumn Festival holiday was just beginning. Places were closing early. The barbershop I was familiar with (after many stays in the area) as closed and dark. #2 was lit up with the door unlocked - but the barber was nowhere to be found. I rode around more through side streets - enjoying the night air and saw the familiar sign of the red and white turning sign that has come to be recognized as the universal sign for a barbershop. I DID get a haircut. But afterwards I questioned my wisdom of getting the haircut without the help of an interpreter. Me: Are you open? Barber: Yes Me: Can I get a haircut? Barber: Okay Me: Not too short, okay? Barber: Okay! My thought… Great – He understands me! Ha, Ha! I did not need an interpreter. I can get my hair cut and not have it too short. Yeah. He proceeded to give me a shoulder and neck rub prior to cutting my hair. My reaction – ZZZZZZZ – I fell asleep. I woke up to see my hair very short. Me: Did you understand that I did not want much off my hair? Barber: Yes. But he kept cutting. Me: It is short enough now. Barber: Okay – and He kept cutting. I remembered the word – “Kola” like Coke a Cola – which means “ENOUGH!” And I waived my hands like please stop. And he did. Morale – Double check the level of English before getting down to business when in a foreign country. The good part – The short hair looks good. It is cooler. And my hair seems to be growing faster here in Taiwan… including a few new hairs in my bald spot. (Maybe a fluke – but I will take it.) My out-of-control hair is better now. But - until my Chinese is at a level where I can converse with a three year-old instead of just the two-year olds - I will get someone to help me the next time around.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 09:49:53 +0000
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