The Barbarshop

Today I went to get my second haircut in Taiwan.  The first time was when I first arrived and spoke next to no Chinese, so my sister Sam acted as the translator.  For those of you who are used to the 5 minute job at Supercut, you'll really love this place.  She didn't just buzz once across your head and tell you you're done.  She really took the time and took care of each individual hair.  This crew cut took her well over half an hour, plus shampoo and some sort of scalp massage.  All this for the price of $10 US.  I was so happy with the whole experience I gave her a $6 tip.  Sam told me people don't tip around here.  I told her to tell the lady the extra money was for her to remember to cut my hair the same way the next time I come in.

Am I the only person who thinks a haircut is the most relaxing, and almost sexually arousing experience?  I've gotten massages before and it did nothing for me.  But there's something about the talcum powder, shaving my sideburns and the back of my neck, and scratching my scalp, that really curl my toes and make me purr like a kitten.  I remember my friend Bernice, who's a hair cutter, told me that she's had countless marriage proposals while shampooing customers.  Well, this particular hair lady doesn't exactly give me funny ideas, but I like always will be looking forward to my next hair cut one month from now.

Claire Danes and Anna Paquin

Ok, how are these two not the same person?  Not even twins?

 

OK - can you guess which one is which???

Coming Home to a Foreign Country

I was born and raised in Taiwan, and moved to the United States in my early 20's.  I had a good life, a great job, and an white American wife.  Suddenly, my dad passed away in Taiwan, and my marriage fell apart.  I quit my job and came home, to a country that is now foreign to me.  At age 43, I'm starting my life over.

I know this is my home country, but at least for now, I'm too Americanized to feel this is home.  I'm in serious culture shock.  My Chinese is slowly coming back, but right now it is still a second language to me, although it was my first.

I decided to document my observations and experiences of cultural adjustment on this blog.  I don't know if I'm going to find any readers, but this definitely is a curious culture that I'd like to share with the world.