Instead of getting a haircut before I leave for Belgium and The Netherlands, I thought maybe I should wait and get a haircut in Europe. I do not have much hair to begin with, and I am not very fussy about my haircuts, unless it looks like it was done by a blind man. What is the average price and how do you say, "Just trim please," in French and Dutch. Do you tip? Is it common for a barber to talk whether you are listening or not? And how many have bad breath?

My hair wants to know.

De kapper = the barber / hairdresser

Alleen wat bijknippen, alstublieft = Just a trim, please.

The 'ee' is pronounced as an 'ey' (as in 'hey'), the 'ij' as an 'ai' (as in 'fail').

Niet te kort = not too short

Lavandula

I've never tipped a hairdresser in Belgium (all my haircuts have been in Brussels) but I think if you are happy you might round up the bill. Tipping is less expected in Flanders than Wallonia as a general principle.

Lavandula

Think again.

Be aware that there are only minor wording differences in both languages between "just a trim" and "same as him". Careful where you're looking when you say it.

Thanks for the hints.

just have to say... my hubbie got a haircut in turkey... which included an ear-hair cleaning. how did they do such a great job with the hair?? they BURN it off... blue flame waved to and fro... but it did an EXTRAORDINARY job... just sayin'... proceed with caution!

Since I do not have much hair a small flame will do.

My wife demonstrated how much hair she wanted have trimmed to the hotel front desk lady who made an appointment and explained to the hairstylist what my wife wanted. The hair cut came out exactly as she expected.

I got caught in a thunderstorm in Hungary and ran into a small shopping mall, the only thing working was a hairdresser and she did a fine job with just lots of hand gestures.

I hope my hand gestures will not be some sort of cultural insult.

I've never tipped my kapster. She is well paid for her work.

The chances are they will speak English anyway, certainly in the Netherlands, even in a Moroccan or Turkish barbershop (which tend to be cheaper).

How about getting two hairs cut? You say you don't have much!

Be glad it's not China. My son returned home looking very odd, not quite Kim Jong-un, but getting there.

I never worried about the quality of haircuts until I got a really bad one. People were pointing. The kids walked even further behind me.

This is a serious matter IMdonehere. Consider interviewing a few candidates. Watch people come out of the shops. Ask yourself - Is that the look I want?

Palenq

I hope the barbers are younger than your jokes.

Cold

I have that Albert Einstein look going on. And at this stage of my life there are many people I want to look like where a haircut will not be sufficient.

Tarquin

I will be careful in the case I make a severe wrong turn and wind up in Bejing.

What is the cost from a bargain Turk to full cost Dutch boy cut?

I hope the barbers are younger than your jokes.>

well you age yourself by using the term 'barber' - hair stylists are all you will find in Belgium!

I never tip my hair stylist, either.
Costs for shampoo, trimming and blow-drying: between 40 and 100+ euro.

Thanks. I get a haircut for $14 and my barber does not speak English either.