Shave 'n a Haircut

In the old days in Japan a haircut was usually 2500 Yen and included a hot towel to the face, a neck and shoulder massage, stinky powder applied all about, etc. Although in those days 2500 Yen was only $10, I was almost as cheap then as I am now, so I'd still look for a bargain that didn't include all the extras. One of my Japanese buddies talked a barber into cutting his hair for 500 or 600 Yen, I think it was, and, let's just say, he didn't need to go back for a long time.

Fast forward to today, or yesterday rather, which is when I got this particular haircut. I'd noticed that it's possible to pay 4500 Yen for a cut, but also possible to pay 1000 Yen. These days - particularly these past few months - 1000 Yen is almost $10. So maybe $10 is the universal price for this service.

Well, anyway, my wife and I had noticed a family salon in our neighborhood advertising the 1000 Yen price. When we happened by yesterday the barbers, stylists, hair technicians, or cosmetologists were standing around, so we stopped in. First there was a machine to check us in and give us a number. Then there was a machine to buy a ticket. These machines are pretty common in Japan at lower-priced, quick diners, for instance. You buy a ticket for the meal you want and go sit down. I think it basically saves a small establishment one person at busy times.

So far as I recall, that's the first time I've bought a ticket for a haircut, though I've done it many times for a meal. But the funny thing was as I was chatting with the barber, he asked me what foods I like, and I was telling him about a new little diner around the corner from him. He told me he'd tried it too, but he didn't realize one had to buy a ticket, and went in and sat down, only to be told to go back and buy a ticket. He acted like that was kinda weird, which struck me funny. 

As for the haircut, worth every penny. I'd have even paid 11 or 12 hundred Yen for it, but don't tell him please. I can't imagine that a 4500 Yen haircut would be better, unless maybe you can do the entire thing over the Internet, that might be worth it.