While I am becoming capitally aseptic, a Chinese woman, having already had her head sanitized, is enjoying a haircut from a lady barber who stands beside her. I mention that the barber is standing because when my hair was cut, a man sat on a low stool with wheels that made it possible for him to swirl about me like a Dervish.

My attendant alternated scissors and electric clippers and took about 20 minutes to complete his artistry. I was shocked when he proposed yet a second scrubbing; I declined the invitation.

In the U.S., I spend $10 for a haircut that takes 10 minutes. Here I spend less than the equivalent of $2 for a 50-minute haircut. Thus the American barber grosses $1 per minute while the Chinese gets less than 4 cents per minute. Which is more efficient? If a reader can provide a reasonable answer to this question, I'll happily give him or her a little gift from China.

The beautiful street on which the beauty shop is located features the fine pattern of tiles frequently displayed on the sidewalks of this lovely city.