Did I really wait 6 months to have my hair cut? Yes. Was it a really absurd and irrational fear? Yes.
Today I finally either became desperate enough or brave enough to get my hair cut in Pamplona. It doesn’t really matter if it was desperation or bravery because the end result is the same; shorter, healthier hair. A friendly and outgoing receptionist greeted me as I entered the salon and then directed me to a lovely middle-aged woman who patiently helped me decide how I wanted her to cut my hair. She then washed my hair in the same manner as all the stylists I’ve been to in the US have and directed me to the chair where she began cutting my hair. There was a moment of panic when she cut about four to five inches off in order to create the shortest layer. I was a bit concerned as she kept cutting away while I was standing there (because my 6-month length of hair was far too long for her to cut it properly with me sitting in the chair). She kept cutting, trimming, shaping and I have to say that the end result is not anything different than I would have expected in the US. It wasn’t so terrible, with a few moments of confusion assisted by demonstrative motions both Pilar, my patient stylist, and I survived the experience. I think I’m feeling brave enough to go back again… maybe less than 6 months this time.
Useful Vocab:
“I feel your pain.”
I did the same as you upon moving to Madrid – although not 6-months! I waited and waited, stressed and stressed, wondered HOW I was going to explain to a Spanish barber – whom wouldn’t likely speak any English – how I wanted my hair cut. He, too, was patient, but even to this day, after 5-years, I always get stressed when I have to get my hair cut, I put it off and put it off.
And it’s not JUST the explanation of HOW to explain to get my hair cut – because now my guy knows my style (short and simple) – but it’s all the conversation that goes along with it while he’s cutting. I’m the ONLY American/English-speaker in the neighborhood and his ONLY non-Spanish-speaking (mother-tongue) client so he likes to have a little fun with me, too.
My neighborhood barber is quite friendly, and always smokes/smoked WHILE cutting my hair. Now, after the No Smoking law, I wonder if he’ll adhere to that in his own little shop. We’ll see – TODAY!
Saludos, MadridMan
Today’s haircut went well, as usual. The conversation was typical; the economy and joblessness, the differences between an American Valentines Day and the one in Spain, his unsuccessful attempt at giving up smoking, AND the anti-smoking law. Although, oddly, he didn’t smoke today, he did state that in HIS business he’ll do what he likes, laws-be-damned.
Saludos, MadridMan
There is something endearing about the Spanish willfulness, isn’t there?
I used to live in Pamplona – LOVED it!
Happened on your site – will read it more when I get the time 
Hey! Thanks for reading
Pamplona is a great little town, enjoyed looking at your photo from Estafeta!
Hi, I like your blog, I`m spanish speaker native so your blog help me to improve my english, so thank you for that. In your useful vocabulary you wrote caspas = layer, (I know your wrote fast and you made a funny mistake) Caspas in spanish means dandruff xDDDDDD but in my country when a person is rude is common to say him “usted es una caspa” but its offensive. Thank you for your blog.
Haha! Thanks for pointing that out
I definitely meant capas. I will fix that! I’m glad you enjoyed reading my blog. I’m still blogging on my own site now but there won’t be as much content about Spanish. You can have a look around on my new site if you’re interested http://www.oppositeocean.com