Whether you’re on a long-term holiday or a business trip abroad, you may find yourself needing a haircut. It’s either to make yourself presentable to clients or feel much more comfortable, especially if you are in a humid country.
However, this can be quite nerve-racking. Because of the barrier language, you may not be able to communicate what you actually want for your hair. Explaining may take time, and miscommunication may lead to disastrous results. On top of that, barbers and men’s hair salons abroad have their own taste and aesthetics; their styles may not be even up your alley.
If you’re looking for some tips that will help you make dealing with barbers abroad much easier, below are some pointers for you to take note of:
Go online
Just like what you do when you’re scouting for a new restaurant or a new destination, you may want to go online when looking for a barber. Many salons and haircutting businesses have shops online where you can book or schedule a service. There are even some that allow you to pay online. Going online will also lead you to reviews about the shop and even find out if the barbers can communicate with foreigners. If you’re staying at a hostel or a quaint bed-and-breakfast inn, you may ask the receptionist for recommendations.
Try to gauge if your barber can understand you
Before you full decide on a barber, you may want to gauge the height of the language barrier between you two. Explain the kind of haircut that you want. Only let them touch your hair if you are sure enough that they understand what you have just explained. If you feel like that they’re just nodding and saying “Yes!” to your queries and requests without showing signs of understanding, it’d be better to find another barber.
Get your haircut in larger cities
If you’re traveling through multiple cities, it will make sense to get a haircut in a major city or towns close to the capital. Cities and larger towns have more options when it comes to shops and barbers. You could visit reputable men’s salons such as Mensch (Male Image & Grooming). Moreover, it will be much easier for you to find a barber who speaks English. Add to that the fact that city barbers are most likely updated when it comes to styles. However, there’s a downside to it. A lot of shops can be found in malls and city centers, and they may charge people much higher compared to their rural counterparts.
Show them pictures
Barbers are visual professionals, and they can easily work when they know what the customer wants. With that in mind, it will be much easier for them if you show them a haircut inspiration. It could be a picture of a celebrity you’ve seen online or an old photo of you where your haircut is really good.
Enjoy this new experience
When you visit a barber shop abroad, you will realize that it’s a cultural experience. You get a glimpse of the everyday lives of the locals. You get to converse with the people, and they may even enjoy your company.
