A foreign student went to a Korean hair salon and asked me about it afterward. "I only asked for a cut, so why did they recline the chair and wash my hair?" She said she expected to pay right after the cut, so she was surprised that they also did a shampoo and blow-dry. ## First they brush you off, then recline the chair and wash your hair When the cut is done, the stylist removes the cloth wrapped around your neck and brushes off your neck and shoulders with a brush. That's because short cut hairs getting inside your clothes feel really prickly. Korean hair salons believe the job includes making sure no cut hair is left on the customer's body. Here is the shampoo routine. They either recline the chair or guide you to the shampoo station and rinse off the leftover hair with water. Many salons also press on your scalp while washing your hair. It reflects the wish not to let customers walk out onto the street with hair stuck to them. ## Last Comes the Blow-Dry After they rinse your hair, they dry it with a hair dryer and style it. They want you to look good no matter who you run into the moment you walk out of the salon. In Korea, doing everything in one go, even the styling, is seen as good service. While drying, they also tell you how to style it at home. ## Just Ask This in Advance Whether shampoo and blow-drying are included in the price of the haircut differs from shop to shop. When you book or check the price list, it's a good idea to ask, "Are shampoo and blow-dry included?" Some salons even list it on their booking page in a map app. If you don't want them, it's perfectly fine to say, "Just a haircut, please."