For the past few years, I frequented this neighborhood barber shop. I will pick a time (like 9am on weekends) to minimize the wait. The services are presented cafeteria-style: cutting hair, $1; shampoo (dry), 50 cents; shampoo (wet), 25 cents; blower styling, $1; etc. I usually get the package deal that takes care of everything I need for about $2.5. The young girl will either shampoo my hair with me sitting up-straight (dry-style) or lying down (wet-style). Afterward, one of the chain-smoking barbers will put out the cigarette and do his thing. Great deal? You will have to come to Beijing for such excellent value.

For frugality, I could have gone to the park and have my hair cut in the open air. I would walk up to an empty stool, get hair cut, and be done in less than 10 minutes. The master will do it almost entirely with a manual tool. There is no water nearby; I would have to shampoo at home. The standard price will be roughly 75 cents. I actually never tried this, but stood and watched many times.

My 80+ year-old father visited me last summer. One day, he took his daily walk in the afternoon and came back groomed: hair neatly trimmed, face well-shaved, lightly greased, combed to perfection. "How?" I inquired. Proudly, he told me about this hole-in-the-wall barber shop and an improv conversation with the proprietor, an elderly in his 60s. One thing led to another, my dad had a 90-minute old-style service — 50s-style: hot towel, lathering cup, and the scary straight razor. Yes, that master did the stroking the blade on a strip of leather thing too. Two old men clearly had a great time. My dad insisted paying the barber 10rmb, or about $1.25. Otherwise, the services will be free of charge.

When my daughter was going to the prom, she needed services at a completely different level. After checking out with friends, she locked in this place in the Oriental Plaza, downtown Beijing, where reservation with a stylist will be the right protocol. The project needed several hours to produce nothing short of a breath-taking "wow!" I meant her hair, but the price tag too.

One day, we discovered this fancy store. Curious, we approached. Gosh, it is a beauty shop with lots of glitter, modern and high-class decors, spacious reception area, eager staff, espresso bar, and chilled mineral waters neatly displayed. The attending staff was reluctant discussing prices, "We do not have standardized services. Everything is customized to your needs and desire." "If what I need is a simple trim, wash, and blow-drying, how much would that cost me?" "Well, we specialize in tasks more complicated than those. But if your wife is also patronizing, we could also serve you on the side..." Only after we had walked out of hearing range, I let out the unbelievable "WHAT THE H..."

Few days ago, we were surprised to see this beauty shop inside a mall, "Hmm, let's check it out." Trim/wash/dry services for men, by the most junior-ranked stylist, list at $12. I decided to give it a shot.

A uniformed girl put a light gown over me, and led me to the shampoo station. She checked with me if the temperature was right 3 times. She then led me to the chair where a fashionable girl was waiting. She quietly unfold her nicely wrapped toolkit, arranged like surgical instruments, and chose her tools for the task. She then performed this dance for about 20 minutes in silient concentration. The shampoo girl stood watching on the side only to brush away trimmings on my face once in a while.

With a proud nod, the performance is over. I was led away for another shampooing (checked 3 times again). When the cutting girl dried my hair, she transformed into a relax, pleasant, and chatty person. At the end, they unrobed my gown, bowed, and bid me farewell.

"Market economy at its best," I thought on my way home.