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Living abroad brings new challenges to even the simplest tasks, from buying a belt to getting a haircut. When we are presented with a language barrier, an extra layer of uncertainty is added to what would otherwise be straightforward routines. However, knowing a few key phrases and understanding basic cultural expectations can make these experiences much smoother. This resource is designed to help by providing useful vocabulary and terms, so you can rehearse what you’ll need to say in advance—making the encounter a little easier and more comfortable.
SRAS program locations are all quite different and some of cultural situations described below may play out differently based on where you are. While each location has its own local language, it also has a Russian speaking minority and many locals speak Russian as a second language. You could thus find that Russian is the most effective means of communication it these cases. You should also always feel free to ask recommendations from your SRAS on-site coordinator or from your teachers.
Barbers and Hairdressers in Eurasia
In Russian, there is no distinction between the words for “barber” and “stylist;” the word “парикмахер” in Russian refers a person who cuts hair for both men and women. A person visits a парикмахерская (barbershop; where the парикмахер works) to подстричься (have his/her hair cut). Not everyone goes to a парикмахер, of course, as some people стригут себя (cut their own hair).
Costs will differ greatly based on your location and what type of парикмахер you are seeking. Some высококлассные (high-end) парикмахеры can charge considerable sums. Increasingly popular are shops specializing in мужская стрижка (men’s haircuts), which also have услуги по уходу за бородой (beard services). These will often be more expensive options.
Some парикмахерские эконом-класса (economy class barbershops) can подстричь (provide a haircut) for prices that you probably shock you for being so low, especially if you just looking for something very simple like a military-style buzz cut.
Types of Hair and Styles
There are many ways to describe hair: длинные волосы (long hair), короткие волосы (short hair), волосы до плеч (shoulder-length hair), кудрявые волосы (curly hair), прямые волосы (straight hair), вьющиеся волосы (wavy hair), лысый (bald), and лысеющий (balding). Мужчины, старающиеся прикрыть лысину (men trying to hide bald spot) may try a зачёс (comb-over).
There are many different basic hairstyles, such as: for men – короткая стрижка (buzz cut), стрижка под горшок (bowl cut), стрижка ёжик (crew cut), ирокез (mohawk; note that they call it an “iriqoui” in Russian), а-ля Битлз (mod-top), маллет (mullet), and стрижка-шапочка (shag); for women – гарсон/под мальчика (crop), каре (bob cut), стрижка перьями (feathered cut), стрижка боб (pixie cut), гаврош (razor cut), and стрижка под стрижкой (undercut).
For men, there are several ways to fashion facial hair. Men can подравнивать/ побрить бороду (have their beard trimmed/shaved), постричь усы (style a mustache), or have бачки (sideburns).
There are also practical terms to describe specific actions that a парикмахер might take. For example, it is possible to simply подравнивать волосы (to trim hair), i.e. to убрать немного по краям (cut off a little bit at the ends). The парикмахер might ask, especially to men, if the hair should закрывать уши (cover the ears). Some people prefer their hair собраны сзади (blocked in the back) while others prefer распущены сзади (feathered in the back). Some people like their hair все одной длины (all one length) while others prefer слоями (layers). Some wear чёлка (bangs) and others don’t.
Besides different types of стрижки (haircuts) there are also many types of причёски (hairstyles): конский хвост (ponytail); бабетта (bun); коса (braid); косичка (smaller braid, often used for little girls); and французская коса (French braid). In many Slavic counties, a traditional hairstyle is to have a French braid go all the way around her head, in other words, заплетать косу вокруг головы (to braid one’s hair around one’s head).
Colors, Perms, and Products
Women will hold their hair in place with a variety of means including заколка (a barrette/hair clip/bobby pin), резинка для волос (elastic hair tie/scrunchy; sometimes referred to as a “резиночка” in conversational Russian), ободок (a hairband), лента для волос (hair ribbon), or, of course, лак для волос (hair spray), гель для волос (hair gel) or пенка/мусс для укладки волос (mousse).
In terms of hair color, a person can be блондин (a blond), брюнет (a brunette), с темными волосами (with black hair), or рыжий (a redhead). When красить волосы (dying hair), it is possible to красить волосы самому (color your hair yourself) or to красить волосы в парикмахерской (have your hair dyed by a stylist). Instead of dying all of their hair, some people get мелирование (highlights).
A person can also go to a парикмахерская in order to сделать химическую завивку (to get a perm; sometimes referred to as сделать «химию» in conversational Russian), сделать укладку / сделать прическу (set hair or arrange hair), or сделать наращивание волос (get hair extensions). Another option is to use a плойка (curling iron) or бигуди (hair curlers) at home. Some Russians делают прическу «гофре» или гофрируют волосы (crimp their hair), some делать пробор посередине или на боку (part their hair in the middle or on the side).
To keep your hair stylish, you’ll need some of these basic hair items: расческа (comb), щётка для волос (brush), предохранительная завязка для волос (hair tie for ponytails/braids), фен (hair dryer), and выпрямитель волос (hair straightener/flat iron).
Culture and Etiquette
Although the situation is changing, it is not customary in most locations оставить чаевые (to tip) the person who cuts your hair. Generally this will be appreciated, however, especially if you state directly what the money is for and that you are satisfied. If you would like to leave a tip, you might say “Это вам на чай. Спасибо вам большое” as you hand it to the person.
However, you should also know that the service industry in many Eurasian countries functions a bit differently. Culturally, there may be some significant differences to expect from a парикмахер, primarily in that you may not receive at all what you asked for. Obviously, some of this may come from linguistic difficulties in trying to convey what you want. Few парикмахерскы, no matter what they are charging or where they are operating, will speak fluent English. The terms above should help you. However, there seem to be many парикмахеры who really only know a few basic cuts and tend to give you whichever seems to most approximately match your current style. This tends to be more frequent among older парикмахеры charging lower rates. However, younger парикмахеры charging higher rates may consider themselves artists well versed in the science of hairstyles and thus provide you with what they believe would suit you best. Of course, again, much of this can be avoided if you clearly state your desires (in Russian if needed!) and keep an eye on the progress and provide commentary.
Many things are harder abroad, especially if you are operating in a language you are still learning. However, whatever happens, know that this is all a growing experience – and will make for great stories when you get back home!
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