Sometimes it’s the small things that can be the most surprising when you change cultures. Like haircuts. Back in the states haircuts are pretty routine-at least once you find a hairdresser you like and whose price you can get comfortable with. Haircuts in Kenya have been far from routine! I have now had 5 haircuts in Kenya and each was an adventure in itself. I have also self-barbered (don’t tell my hairdresser at home this!).

Haircut #1 was from a long-time friend. She was the only willing person who I felt comfortable enough to ask. Now this was a pretty good haircut and we had a wonderful visit-partly because it took about one and a half hours! She, being a bit of a perfectionist and a good friend wanted to be very, very careful! So I was fine with the cut, but knowing how busy she was I hated to ask her again.

Haircut #2 took place in Mombassa at the hotel where we were staying. I saw mostly Europeans and American tourists staying here, the price was around $14, so I thought I would be safe. I enter this very small, 1960’s era salon and thought about canceling. But I figured it would grow out even if it was a bad cut so I hung in there. The young woman did not offer to shampoo it, which I was expecting as I had just come in from a day at the beach. I, being an already uncomfortable mzungu woman in this very Kenyan salon, didn’t say anything. She asked what I wanted and I said, “Just a trim, please. But I did ask if she was familiar with mzungu hair.” She said she was. As she took her first snip I started normal beauty shop chat and asked her how long she had been working there. With her second snip she said, “Almost a week.” I successfully fought the urge to jump up and run out but finished out the haircut with a bit of anxiety. It really wasn’t a terrible cut, but neither was it a good cut.

Haircut #3 was from another RVA staff member who said, “I usually do guys, but I think I can do it!” This was a good haircut and we had a nice visit. It did get a little interesting when her 2 year old daughter would decide to stand on the table just as she was about to snip my bangs, or want to ride my leg like a bouncy horse while finishing touches were being made.

Haircut #4 was another paid venture. We were at a shopping center, which definitely caters to Westerners living in and around Nairobi. I made an appointment at one salon and then asked the price. It was$35. I left and thought, “But I don’t pay that much in the states!” I returned and canceled the appointment. Then I found another salon that I didn’t know was there. I went in and first asked the price. It was $10 so I asked when I could get an appointment and was told “Right now.” I’ve always had a weakness for a good deal, but I learned that being a price shopper can have its drawbacks. I didn’t ask this fellow if he was familiar with mzungu hair. I assumed that since 95% of the people you see here are white that he did. Well he acted very knowledgeable, asked me what I wanted and then proceeded to cut. He took very, very small sections of hair and made very, very small snips. I only had about an hour and 15 minutes until I was supposed to meet my ride at the car. Usually that’s lots of time for a haircut.  I began to worry. He continued to make very, very small snips at my hair. After 45 minutes I mentioned the time I had to leave by. He acted upset and attempted to hurry, but he continued to make very, very small snips. I don’t think he was too familiar with mzungu hair. I finally got out of there 10 minutes late. Then I went home and found that one side was shorter than the other and my bangs had been thickened into a 60’s look. Price shopping doesn’t always pay!

Haircut #5 was by yet another RVA staff member-a young British woman. She came up to the house between 2 of her classes (she’s an English teacher), asked what I wanted and proceeded in a very business-like way to cut my hair. In about 20 minutes I was done and with my best Kenyan cut yet!

I think I will ask her to cut it again.

Nothing deep this week. Just a look at the differences in small things cross-culturally! May your next haircut be less exciting than all of mine have been!

Love,

Nancy – the reluctant but accomplished ant eater