Came across this video on one of the German fora, and though it'd be appreciated here too. It's a 40 minute (!) video of an American's visit to a traditional Japanese barber, filmed by his Japanese better half, interspersed with views of the shop. It confirms my ideas about Dutch barbers being ridiculously expensive for their efficiency and service level.
Forty minutes is rather long for a vid, but well worth watching. If you want to skip:
- price list (@ app. 20 minutes)
- shave with a J-straight (24')
- ear cleaning (29')
- hair washing (upright soaping, rinsing head to the front)(30')
- facial treatment (hot towel and cream massage) (33')
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccjDPinzlZ8