can you tell where I am based on this pic?
HOW TO get a haircut in Chinese
Getting a haircut in Beijing is always an adventure because of the language barrier. Even if you go to an expensive, fancy salon, there’s no guarantee that the staff speaks English. If you really want to use English, then head to a swanky hotel and use their salon (and pay a premium for it).
Guys’ haircuts cost about 10-50 RMB. You should be on the low side unless you’ve got a really elaborate haircut.
It’s hard to say how much girls’ haircuts cost in Beijing. The sky is the limit, especially if you want to book the head stylist in the shop. Generally 80-120 RMB is enough to get you a cut comparable to “back home”.
So if you choose to go to a local barbershop/salon in China, below are some phrases you will hear and vocabulary you can use to make your Chinese haircut experiences a lot less hair-raising.
Walking in the door
As you walk in the door, one of the salon workers may ask…
Do you want a haircut? nǐ yào jiǎn tóu fà ma? 你要剪头发吗？
Alternatively, you could also say…
I would like a haircut: wǒ xiǎng jiǎn tóu fa / 我想剪头发
Getting comfortable
If you’ve got a bag, or a jacket, or something that’s troublesome to lug around, they may ask…
Can I put your things away in our lockers? bāo gěi nín fàng xiāng zi lǐ kě yǐ ma? / 包给您放箱子里可以吗?
Washing your hair
When you get inside, listen for this word, as it means it’s time to get your hair shampooed.
To wash hair: xǐ tóu / 洗头
In the barber chair
It’s a good idea to bring a picture with the style that you want. Otherwise, you’ll have to know how to direct the person cutting your hair. Here are some common phrases and words…
How do you want your hair cut? nǐ xiǎng zěn me jiǎn / 你想怎么剪
To trim a bit: xiū yi xià / 修一下
Long: cháng / 长
Short: duǎn / 短
To thin out: dǎ báo yì diǎn (diǎr) / 打薄一点儿
Scissors: jiǎn dāo / 剪刀
Clippers/buzzer: tuī zi / 推子
At the end of your haircut
After your haircut, you’ll be shampooed again. You’ll soon likely hear…
Do you want to style your hair? xū yào dìng yi xià xíng ma? 需要定一下型吗?
Knowing a few of these key phrases makes getting haircuts in Beijing a lot easier. And just like most local places in China, you don’t have to tip.
HOW TO find subway maps in Beijing
Getting subway maps in Beijing should be much easier than it currently is. It’s a baffling problem; it’s a major city with a huge subway system and yet there are no take-away-able subway maps at the station. If you ask one of the attendants, they’ll just point you to the poster maps or give you a confused look.
btw: Subway (dì tiě / 地铁) + Map (dì tú / 地图) = Subway Map (dì tiě dì tú / 地铁地图)
Bookstores
Beijing subway maps are available in bookstores. Usually. You might have to hit a few bookstores until you find one with a tourist section.
Go to a hotel
Another easy way is to drop into any hotel and just ask for a map. Better hotels have better maps.
Tourist Centres
If you go to tourist attractions in Beijing you are bound to find a Tourist Centre booth. Easy to get a city map or a subway map of Beijing there.
Buy” a temporary subway card
The one-ride subway cards have maps printed on one side. Great if you want a subway map that you can fit in your wallet. Next time you’re taking the subway, buy two tickets for your destination; one for your actual ride and one to keep in your wallet.
If you’re a germophobe, I would drench these babies in hand sanitizer, I’ve seen people pick their nails, teeth nose and ears with these bad boys.
does anyone actually say “ni hao ma”? also, “fly lice”.
