Do you think it is appropriate for a stranger to clean out your ears? 

I don’t–because you just have to draw the line somewhere.  Last week for the first time in my adult life, I had a woman stick a Q-tip in my ears and swab it around.   It was pretty terrifying. 

I went to a new haircutting salon (recommended by a friend) but what I didn’t realize was that the standard haircut also involved a head massage (involving copious amounts of shampoo) a thorough beating (head and shoulders only–they would probably call it a massage) and the ear cleaning treatment.

Christa has informed me of mortifying experiences she’s had witnessing many women "picking" at their men’s ears on the streets or buses of Xining.  But I took it a step farther by actually paying a complete stranger to clean my ears for me.

The haircut was OK (for the pricey Xining rate of $3.00 U.S.) but the guy who cut my hair had long fingernails and a bouffant hair dew that reminded me of Dracula.  I’m not sure if I will return to this particular hair salon; give me the 4 kuai hack job any day.  My head was buzzing for about an hour after the cut.  (I think I lost a few layers of skin on my scalp during the 45 minute head massaging phase.) 

It’s a good thing I’m such a fine looking chap and can pull off various hair modifications, eh?