Whilst in Saigon, Ben popped his head around the door of a barbers shop and asked ‘how much for a haircut?’ He ended up emerging an hour later, a different man, a metrosexual man, or in his words ‘a sexy ladies man.’
A haircut turned into a cut throat shave…
It was Ben’s first cut throat shave and I could tell he was a little nervous as she slid the blade up underneath his chin – he held his breath, almost turning blue as the blade passed over his adams apple, however he needn’t have been worried as she was a master at her trade.
A cut throat shave turned into a face peel…
Before Ben had time to move they slapped a white gooey paste all over his face then covered it in white cotton wool. He looked like a cross between Santa Claus and an Egyptian mummy. He then waited for it to set before the Vietnamese lady peeled it off to reveal fresh glowing skin! Ben was definitely enjoying the attention by this point…
A face peel then turned into an ear wax extraction!!??
This was a weirdest procedure of all, I watched as they wiggled pointed long instruments around in Ben’s ears and starting pulling out lumps of ear wax that they proudly held up for everyone to admire. We both couldn’t believe how much they actually managed to pull out of his ears. It looked like torture and gold mining all in one but the feeling was almost orgasmic.
It seems the Vietnamese are masters in generating extra cash from tourists - they quickly slapped the shave cream on after the haircut, not saying a word about additional cost, and we both thought it may have been part of the service. Although when they started to put the face mask on, we both became suspicious, but I think Ben was enjoying the pampering too much to ask about the cost. The cost of the haircut was 40,000d, however with all the additional services it came to 130,000d (around $6.50, or £4.00), however we were willing to pay as Ben liked the pampering, even if he won’t admit it, and I was in fits of hysterics watching him.
I was intrigued and returned the following day for my ear wax extraction; however, disappointingly, my ears were squeaky clean already.
I’ve actually had my ears syringed several times at the doctors (always suffered from overly waxy ears - ew) - it’s a really weird sensation, but when you come out after it, the hearing difference is incredible! Bit of a random comment, but there you go…
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Haha I always “luxuriate” in emerging countries. Can’t turn down 4 dollar full hair cuts and straight razor shaves! I must say, after a full body massage two weeks straight in Thailand, my body began to feel like mush. There’s a limit!
Jeremy recently posted..The Only Thing Permanent in My Life – Tattoos!
haha, I keep telling myself I won’t get another Thai massage as they really take no prisoners, although for some reason I am a sucker for punishment as I keep getting them. I need to try a thai oil massage instead, maybe they’ll be a little gentler on me!
I can’t help but laugh as I read your post! The funniest is the ear-wax…and he looks like as if he’s enjoying himself with the face peel too. It is kinda shocking they didn’t tell you the extra cost though it doesn’t seem to be expensive at all.
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I can so appreciate Ben’s feelings. I had a cut throat razor shave on the streets of Ninh Binh during our Vietnam trip.
Silly me didn’t consider the pointers…
> Me 7 day beard growth
> Barber… NO HOT WATER!!!
Never again.
Besides Bens barber was way cuter than mine 😉
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I had a cut throat razor shave and it was incredible going back in march for the extras !!!! Facial and a trim ha ha cant wait.