Kosupa Travel

Getting a haircut while traveling abroad can be one of the most memorable travel experiences – but it also comes with the risk of ending up with an unexpected hairstyle. It’s truly a thrilling adventure that feels almost like a dare.

I recently took on the challenge of getting styled at one of Taiwan’s most sophisticated barbershops, “Barber’Select 紳室商號” (Barber’Select Gentleman’s Shop). Here’s how it went…

Barber’Select: Taiwan’s Trendy Barbershop

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Located just a 5-minute walk from MRT Zhongshan Station, Barber’Select is a hip and stylish establishment that feels like a fusion of a café, bar, and select shop. The atmosphere is straight out of a movie scene, immediately elevating your mood upon entering.

Upon entering, you’ll find a ticket-vending system similar to those in ramen shops. Note that they only accept cash, not credit cards.

Taking a Leap of Faith: “Dealer’s Choice”

When I sat down, the barber greeted me with a smile and asked, “What style would you like?” Actually, I was here because I lost a friendly bet – though calling it a “forfeit” might be disrespectful to the barber, it’s undeniable that getting a haircut abroad is something most travelers are hesitant to try. However, I had been curious about this highly-rated barbershop’s skills for a while.

For maximum thrill, we decided to go with “dealer’s choice.” The barber’s expression showed momentary confusion followed by an amused smile, but he quickly switched into professional mode and began cutting my hair with intense focus.

Surprisingly Meticulous and Careful Cutting

As expected of one of Taiwan’s top barbershops, the barber adjusted my hair with millimeter precision. He would repeatedly check and recheck areas he had already cut, showing impressive attention to detail.

Before I knew it, over an hour had passed. The shop offers magazines, drinks, and even a pool table to keep customers entertained during the wait. My friend who accompanied me started out watching with interest but eventually got distracted by the magazines and pool table as the meticulous cutting continued.

The Final Result: A Taiwanese-Style Fade

Finally, the haircut was complete. When I saw myself in the mirror, I couldn’t help but exclaim – my hair was significantly shorter than before. The “dealer’s choice” resulted in a fade cut, probably removing about 20cm (8 inches) of length. It had a distinctly Asian, or more specifically, Taiwanese vibe to it. Indeed, this style is common among local Taiwanese men, and now I was looking at exactly that reflection in the mirror.

However, looking closer, the hairstyle itself is quite similar to clean-cut styles you might see in Western countries. Perhaps it appeared more “Taiwanese” because of how it complemented my Asian features. Globally, the longer sides and bangs popular in some Asian countries are actually less common. I was just not used to seeing myself with this style yet, but it wasn’t unusual at all.

A Heartfelt “Xie Xie” (Thank You)

What started as a result of losing a bet turned into an appreciation for incredible craftsmanship as I examined the finished style. While it was quite different from my usual look and took some getting used to, it was undeniably well-executed, and I was impressed by the barber’s skill level.

Grateful for the result, I thanked the barber with a “xie xie” and offered a handshake. Surprisingly, despite the time and attention to detail, the service only cost around $20 USD.

Final Thoughts

Getting a haircut at a local barbershop while traveling abroad can be one of the most memorable travel experiences, though it comes with the thrill of uncertainty about the final result. However, when you find a skilled barber like this, you might end up with not only a satisfying cut but also an unexpected style transformation you would never have tried otherwise.

If you’re visiting Taiwan and feeling adventurous, why not try getting a haircut at a local barbershop? Even if you go in skeptical, you might end up loving the result. As for me, I’m already planning my next hair adventure – perhaps at a barbershop in remote Africa!