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Travels in Russia

KLM Rocks Across Europe!
Santa Claus in Moscow
Television Is a Time Suck
The Reality of Irrelevance
Salute Mayor Luzhkov
Impeachment Happens
I Am Not The Only One...
I'm Back! Did Ya Miss Me?
Chechnya Burning
Weddings in Winter
The Jews Are Here!
Gailyn Goes to Town
Is There a Central Bank?
Santa Barbara is Real
Nick's Thanksgiving in Russia
Den' Rozhdeniya = Birthdays
Those Crazy Expats
It's Just a Few Drops of Vodka...
Elections Are Always Rigged
The Blind Leading the Blind
Good Russian Grooms
You Say 'Boris Berezovskiy' Fast
Too Cold to Care!
Russian Oil Towns
Sneaky Siberian Tigers
Which Way is St Peterburg?
Where am I again? Oh, yeah...
I Love Me Some Vodka
It's a Gosorg Halloween
Hunger Comes to Us All
Why Don't They Just Learn English?!
Post-Crisis, Life Goes On
Is Yeltsin 'The Man'?
Murmansk - Brrrr!
Taganka Hides Her Secrects
These are Communists
It's a Power Vaccum
The Commies are Back
Propaganda is Good for You
You Better Buy Russian!
Sex Ed Soviet Style
Party over, oops outta time!
Russian Healthcare in Moscow
What Russian Financial Crisis?
YE Prices in Russia
The Hungry Duck
Russian Caviar Mafia
Magical Mushrooms
Shhhh! We're Bear Hunting
Soviet Street Scams
Bez Dollarov
A Koshka Konspiracy
On The Dacha
The Banking Implosion
Surviving Army Life
Shashleek is Steak on Steroids
Dacha Thinking
Beach Weekend
Dos Vedanya
Hello from Vladivostok
Equality Means Only She Works
Jogging is an Extreme Sport
Russians Have Reunions Too
My Folks in Massive Moscow
Better than Fireworks
Miners Are Real Men
The Russian Mafia is the Roof
No One Smiles in the CIS
One Year Anniversary
Russian Brides Rock
Laura is My St Pete Connection
Change is in the Wind
Chuck Norris' Beverly Hills Casino
The Expat Woman's Predicament
Street Food is Yummy!
Spring Flowers Make June Leavers
The Provinces Are Provincial
Ever Take an Elektrichka?
The English Invasion
Nuttin Like New Money
Rules Are Made to Break
All Black is Russian Fashion
Easter Memories = Easter Dinner
Politics, Russian Style
Theresa Tries to Russify
I Go to Gay Clubs Worldwide
I Hide on Women's Day
New & Shiny: Nizhny Novgorod
Psst! Wanna job in Moscow?
Fili Park Has All the Bootlegs
Web Page Reactions
Take a Break at Dom Odaha
Expat Living in Moscow is Swank
Why Are You Remonting?
They Look Like Telephones...
Smashing Bottles in Red Square

Readership

Russia, January 5, 1998

In Need of a Decent Hairstylist

Unfortunatly, bad hair is all too common in the CIS

And we have a contestant for the Big Hair contest
The muskrat got away again
Now that's nice
Good thing he's off screen
And this guy is on TV!

Work more than the mic!

See the lady?  See the hair?  And that's a good job!

Lady in brown is proof

It was time, I needed a haircut and a beard trim, but that poses a problem in this country. Its not that there is a lack of barbershops, or decent prices, but a problem in quality. The basic Russian male haircut is refereed to as the 'flat-head' which is not our flattop but more like a random assortment of very short hairs going every direction.

At first I thought that hair care was not a male activity, but I've seen too many types of shampoos and styling products here with a man on the label. When winter started I thought it was the shopkas, the large wool hats, that were messing up the hair. Hell, I get horrible hathead from my fedora and fez. Only after watching the other male PCV's get haircuts and having three haircuts myself, did I realise what the real problem is.

All the hairstylist were trained in the same school, by the same person. This teacher must have beat anyone who didn't cut hair as short as physically possible with shears and a comb. It was really odd to see some of the men who were a little thin to begin with, get a haircut, and be close to tears at the sight of their scalp. As a guy who's had hair to the middle of my back, the scalping I receive every time I get a haircut is just as shocking.

Yesterday I attempted another hair cutting experience. I took an autobus to Zelenograd, where I used to live, to get a haircut by the only woman in Russia I trust with my head. After a two hour trip, I arrived to a locked door. The shop was closed for the holidays. Agh! Closed for 10 days, so Russia! Abandoning that, I took another bus back to Moscow. Arriving home, I went to the salon across the street from my apartment. There, for 150 roubles, about $25, I had a standard, super close cut. Now I didn't mind paying three times as much for my haircut as I would have in Zelenograd for two reasons. First, I really wanted a haircut on Saturday, and they were open. Second, I figure I will not need another haircut for at least three months now.

If you are a competent and imaginative hairstylist, Russia needs you. After you shave everyone bald to rid them of their current dead animal haircut, you can start anew and give these men some style.

Cutting Hair

By Rob

It was inevitable that the day would come that I would have to have my first Russian hair cut. I had postponed the event as long as I could. Over the last six months I have painstakingly addressed each detail of our move to ensure a smooth transition. However, I realized there are aspects of Russian life I simply would have to embrace.

For years I have regularly had my golden locks sheared every two weeks. A ritual that I anxiously awaited as I felt is was my personal renewal. When I married, Gailyn was surprised at the time and money spent dedicated in my quest to secure the perfect hair cut. Regardless, of the ridicule received from friends and family, nothing would stand between me and my hair cut. So after much inquiry and debate I had determined that the place for the perfect haircut in Moscow was the Raddison Hotel.

I was assured that the staff was well trained, as they dealt with wealthy international travelers with exacting standards. In addition, I was told that while it was the most expensive , it was beyond compare anywhere in the world. Well, I don't think so!

To begin my 'renewal' I solicited the assistance of my friend Wayan. Lesson number one, never ask a bohemian, pretty boy, ten years your junior to assist in something so vain as a hair cut. This guy was to serve as my interpreter. But I believe the Russian lass was more interested in my young friend than the job at hand. I also think there may have been a linguistics problem as I am sure it was not my intent to sport a Caesar cut. A Caesar cut at the bargain price of a 1,000 rubles.

Well regardless, the damage was done and I had to hold my head high and rejoin my wife and friends who had been patiently waiting for us in the hotel's restaurant. As I sat at the table my wife leaned over and stated, 'you look like a gay guy'. [Not that there 's anything wrong with that] At which point, I immediately reached for my favorite red baseball cap in a feeble attempt to cover my shame. 'Do you really think so?' I said - oh yes! And of course I had to ask, a lot gay or a little gay. [Not that there's anything wrong with that]

The following day my wife and I purchased the 'Babyliss 20 Piece Haircutting Set'. The set cost far less than my Raddison Caesar cut. While I may not be sure how well my hair will look in the future (I've seen the new home-cut and thankfully hats are in this year, Wayan), at least I will not have to fork over 1,000 rubles and I will take solace knowing it will be my wife who make me looks gay. [Not that there is anything wrong with that].

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