Barber? I went to a hardresser that made me look like a woodpecker....

I use it as a cheap head massage. As far as hair cuts, they seem to only be able to cut hair to look like their own hairstyle.

I go to my parnters' long time hairdresser and he does a great job for 20rmb.

Fortunately more me, I fly home and back at least every 2 months, so I have not had to endure the trauma. If I was here longer, I think I would let it grow, rather than trusting a local barber.

Wait, do you mean places to get your haircut or the "barber shops" (wink wink)? You know, the places with the barber pole outside but no chairs inside except for a sofa with girls all wearing the same outfits?

Big difference. Please clarify.

As for haircuts, I have found a few good places in Shanghai that do a good job.

Barber shops? Very frustrating. I have never seen so many barber shops in one area in my life. I have had 5 haircuts here and I hated every one of them. For the last haircut I had I wrote out what I wanted in English, applied the translator, printed off the Chinese, handed it to the barber and bingo! I ended up with same crap cut! During one of the cuts the guy took out a small metal ruler to measure the accuracy of his trimming of the sideburns! Scary. I am looking at Taobao to find a pair of clippers to do my own. Scarier.
I am still searching for that barber shop with the wink wink set up. Hope I find one soon!

I have had great experience with my barber. shampoo, scalp massage, cut....20 rmb. love it. I just show him one of my "good hair" pictures and he duplicates it.