A haircut experience and review of the movie
by nigel on 14-Jan-2010
Yesterday, for the first time in Singapore, I got my hair cut.
A haircut for me usually consists of the No2 clipper cut across the head with a No1 for the beard.
So down to Jurong Point mall where there are any number of hairdressers, offering stylist haircuts and other frippery, and at least three barbers, which were my initial target.
These barbers tend to do a quick, straightforward haircut. Some make promises such as using a new comb for each client and are often part of a chain or franchise operation. Also they tend to operate out of what can best be described as large cupboards, presumably to keep the overheads down.
As expected, the beard proved to be a problem, and outside of the terms of operation for the first two I enquired with. But number three was quite happy.
Now think of three barber's chairs in a row with just enough space between them for one person to stand, now allow a little room for four people to sit on chairs and await their turn, finally add some space for the door to open.
That was how big this place was, and yes, it had three barber's chairs and four other chairs. It is currently occupied by three barbers, one other customer, two people who have nothing better to do, so they may as well talk to their barber friends, and now me. In addition there is a TV screen mounted high on the wall above the central chair where I am asked to sit.
As with any time I get my hair cut there is the repeated questioning about is it really a No2 for the head and is it really a number No1 for the beard?
Then the clippers start doing their stuff. I am asked where I am from, why am I here, and for how long, and the noise from the TV suddenly increases as the action and dialog heats up. As usual I have had to take my glasses off so to be honest I can not see clearly, but I realise that:
a) it is showing the movie 'Avatar' which is only just out in the cinemas;
b) if this bit is typical of the tone of the movie, I never want to see it or hear it again even if the computer graphics are neat;
c) everyone else including the guy wielding the clippers round my ears has their eyes firmly fixed on the screen.
We then move into completely new territory. Firstly the cut throat razor appears and, thankfully with his eyes fixed on my head and not the TV, he trims the edges, then I get powdered and my head is very vigorously brushed and as a final twist I am vacuumed with what feels like an industrial strength suction device.
And so we are finished, and the haircut is as good as any.
But the experience is something new; which after all is why we travel, isn't it?
A haircut for me usually consists of the No2 clipper cut across the head with a No1 for the beard.
So down to Jurong Point mall where there are any number of hairdressers, offering stylist haircuts and other frippery, and at least three barbers, which were my initial target.
These barbers tend to do a quick, straightforward haircut. Some make promises such as using a new comb for each client and are often part of a chain or franchise operation. Also they tend to operate out of what can best be described as large cupboards, presumably to keep the overheads down.
As expected, the beard proved to be a problem, and outside of the terms of operation for the first two I enquired with. But number three was quite happy.
Now think of three barber's chairs in a row with just enough space between them for one person to stand, now allow a little room for four people to sit on chairs and await their turn, finally add some space for the door to open.
That was how big this place was, and yes, it had three barber's chairs and four other chairs. It is currently occupied by three barbers, one other customer, two people who have nothing better to do, so they may as well talk to their barber friends, and now me. In addition there is a TV screen mounted high on the wall above the central chair where I am asked to sit.
As with any time I get my hair cut there is the repeated questioning about is it really a No2 for the head and is it really a number No1 for the beard?
Then the clippers start doing their stuff. I am asked where I am from, why am I here, and for how long, and the noise from the TV suddenly increases as the action and dialog heats up. As usual I have had to take my glasses off so to be honest I can not see clearly, but I realise that:
a) it is showing the movie 'Avatar' which is only just out in the cinemas;
b) if this bit is typical of the tone of the movie, I never want to see it or hear it again even if the computer graphics are neat;
c) everyone else including the guy wielding the clippers round my ears has their eyes firmly fixed on the screen.
We then move into completely new territory. Firstly the cut throat razor appears and, thankfully with his eyes fixed on my head and not the TV, he trims the edges, then I get powdered and my head is very vigorously brushed and as a final twist I am vacuumed with what feels like an industrial strength suction device.
And so we are finished, and the haircut is as good as any.
But the experience is something new; which after all is why we travel, isn't it?