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Expatica Germany’s resident German teacher Renate Grasstat gives tips on how to avoid a bad hair day.
In Berlin and in other bigger cities, there are low-priced "Cut & Go" outlets where you are usually expected to blow-dry your hair yourself. Some of these shops seem to employ very good hairdressers but, of course time, is restricted and you will not receive "full service." In addition, there are sometimes machines issuing a number for the order of the people waiting, thus avoiding the process of making appointments.
There are some really bad salons among them as well – a good idea is to ask for recommendations! As for the bigger or more expensive salons, it cannot always be said that they are much better but the same applies to them – use recommendations wherever you can!
So much for the technical part of the haircut but you would still have to deal with talking about your life. There are many hairdressers in Germany who completely fit the cliché of being extremely talkative and informative but this obviously is not a "must" for entering the profession.
I have heard Americans complaining that hairdressers in this country were not up to their expectations, working silently for ages and not invading their private lives enough for them to feel comfortable with the situation. I had to explain that I could not imagine the stylist being hostile or even nourishing aggressive thoughts. A cultural difference? Maybe this is just due to the fact that we Germans are no experts in small talk anyway, or that asking personal questions sometimes might be considered too inquisitive.
So going to the hairdresser can be a surprise as far as communication goes, either in English or German or in any other language. But you can be pretty sure that stylists – if they are not completely lacking talent or just starting their apprenticeship – are experts in doing your hair, with educational qualifications and usually three years of vocational training. And if you still feel inhibited about going to one of them and happen to live in Berlin, just let me know: I can still give you Pam’s number.
Do you have questions about the German language? Write to Renate Graßtat and she may use your question in a future column. Visit www.learn-german.de for more information.
2 April 2008
Copyright Expatica
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