I took my Italian friend to get a haircut in Beijing. He came out looking like a K-pop star.
My friend Marco from Rome needed a haircut. He's been in Beijing for 3 weeks. His hair was starting to look... wild.I told him: "Chinese haircuts are different. Show them a photo. Be specific."
He didn't listen.
The communication breakdown:
Marco walked into a salon near Sanlitun. Showed the stylist a photo of himself from 6 months ago — short on the sides, longer on top, natural look.
The stylist looked at the photo. Looked at Marco. Nodded.
What Marco got:
• Sides shaved to the skin (not short — SHAVED)
• Top heavily textured with a curling iron
• Bangs styled upward in a dramatic swoop
• A "V" shape shaved into the back of his neck
He looked like a K-pop idol preparing for a music video.
Marco stared at himself in the mirror. "This... is not what I asked for."
The stylist beamed. "Hěn shuài!" (很帅 — Very handsome!)
What went wrong:
1. "Short on the sides" means different things.
In Italy, "short" means 2-3 cm. In a trendy Beijing salon, "short" means fade or shaved.
2. Chinese stylists are trained for Asian hair.
Straight, thick, black hair. Marco has wavy, fine, brown hair. The techniques don't translate.
3. Trendy salons default to trendy styles.
If you don't specify "natural" and "conservative," they assume you want the latest style.
How to get a decent haircut in China as a foreigner:
Option 1: Foreigner-friendly salons
• Catherine de France (Beijing, Shanghai)
• Toni & Guy (major cities)
• High-end hotel salons
• More expensive (¥200-500) but they understand non-Asian hair
Option 2: Bring a photo — a very specific photo
• Show the EXACT length on the sides (use fingers: "this short")
• Show the EXACT length on top
• Say "bù yào tài shí máo" (不要太时髦 — not too trendy)
• Say "zìrán yīdiǎn" (自然一点 — more natural)
Option 3: The ¥30 barbershop
• Neighborhood shops with old guys who've been cutting hair for 40 years
• They don't try to be trendy. They just cut hair.
• ¥30-50. Cash only. No appointment.
• Use Google Translate. Show a photo. Cross your fingers.
Option 4: Learn the vocabulary
• 剪短一点 (jiǎn duǎn yīdiǎn) — cut a little shorter
• 两边短，上面长 (liǎng biān duǎn, shàngmiàn cháng) — short sides, long top
• 不要 shaved (bù yào shaved) — no shaved sides
• 自然 (zìrán) — natural
• 刘海 (liúhǎi) — bangs
The silver lining:
Marco's K-pop haircut actually got him compliments. A Chinese guy at a bar asked if he was a model.
Marco said: "I'm an accountant from Rome."
The guy looked confused and walked away.
Marco: "I'm keeping the photo in my phone forever. Next time, I'm showing the stylist a photo of myself with a NORMAL haircut."
Anyone else had a dramatic haircut experience in China?
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