Photo / comic credit: ROKetship
As a straight guy, I can't say my hair is that big of a deal. Really, it isn't. So when a haircut is required every 6-8 weeks, I sigh and find the closest place that looks like they know how to use some scissors. Even with the language barrier in place, getting a haircut isn't overly challenging if you want basic stuff done.
The occasional stereotype (and one immortally remembered by ROKetship) is that of the Korean haircutter not listening to your requests, or simply ignoring it in favor of whatever they plan to do. I'm happy to say I've yet to run into that problem - though to be fair, my preferences are again fairly basic.
If male, find a Blue Club. The hair-cutting franchise is usually in residential areas; curiously enough, they're often located quite near a gimbap place. They go together much like peanut butter and jelly - go figure that one out. Look for (or ask for) their laminated guide showing their ten most common styles. While the styles are rather generic, you can easily pick-and-choose your own choices (front, back, sides, etc.).
If female, look for a Pink Hair - perhaps the response to Blue Club, or perhaps the predecessor. If a Pink Hair is nowhere to be found, consider asking your friends for personal recommendations to get the style you're looking for. There's plenty of 미용실 across the country, but you're more likely to find someone that speaks English in the popular expat areas - Gangnam, Hongdae, Itaewon, etc. - or at a hotel salon.
If looking for just a trim, saying 전체적으로 조금씩 잘라 주세요 (literally, 'overall, a little trim' or 그냥 다듬어 주세요 (literally, 'please just smooth') should get the idea across. Every haircutting place I've ever been to will have stylebooks available - all showing plenty of haircuts at several different angles. You might ask for the 'book', or pantomime flipping through the pages of something.
If all else fails, remember you have 1330 (an official government tourist hotline) and the BBB to help translate things (02-1588-5644). The excellent Korea4expats.com recommends a number of places as 'expat-recommended' that might be worth tracking down.
Readers, you (probably) have hair. How have you managed to communicate your hair-cutting needs in Korea? Any recommendations to fellow expats?
Share 
Bookmark this on Delicious
© Chris Backe - 2010
This post was originally published on my blog, Chris in South Korea. If you are reading this on another website and there is no linkback or credit given, you are reading an UNAUTHORIZED FEED.
RSS Feed
Recent comments