Hair today

Expand Your Spanish

I WAS debating whether to call this Unisex because as far as hair ­ although not necessarily gender these days ­ is concerned, that’s how practically all hairdressing salons announce themselves.

Yes, that’s the way it goes chaps, if you want a haircut you’ll almost certainly need to get it done in the company of your female neighbours at a peluquería. As for a shave, that will have to be a DIY job at home.

Time was when Spanish men went to a barbero for a haircut and a shave too, but when barbers do exist they are usually tucked away in a side street, with a dwindling number of clients.

Therefore much of the following will be as applicable to men as women especially the young men I see when I go for my own hairdo (peinado), who are as likely as I am to be having streaks done.

A wash and blow­dry….. lavar y secar

I’d like a wash and blow­dry: quiero lavar y secar

I’d like to cut my hair…..quiero cortarme el pelo

I only want a trim…..quiero cortarme las puntas, nada más

I’d like a bob (okay, this won’t apply to many male readers)…..quiero una media melena

I’d like a lot of curls (nor, possibly, will this)…..quiero muchos rizos

I want it very short…..lo quiero muy corto

I want it chin ­ length/shoulderlength…..lo quiero hasta la barbilla/los hombros

I want it very straight…..lo quiero muy liso

I’d like a lot of volume…..quiero mucho volume/lo quiero muy hueco

I want/don’t want layers…..quiero/no quiero capas

I want/don’t want a fringe…..quiero/no quiero un flequillo

If you want to change the colour of your hair:

I’d like to dye my hair…..quiero teñirme el pelo

Or merely brighten it up

I’d like streaks…..quiero mechas

I’d like a colour rinse…..quiero un baño de color

To prevent temporary or permanent slipups you’ll be presented with a colour chart although, since we’re on the subject, remember that blonda is not a hair tone, but a type of lace.

BILL ANDERSON A PUBLIC SERVANT

THE Spanish Local elections take place on Sunday May 28, and as far as the International community is concerned it has been a poor response. In Mijas, I estimate that there are between 12,000 and 14,000 residents who were eligible to register to vote, and the final number confirmed by the voters’ roll is 2,031 registered.

It is what it is. I think now what is important is that those who have been registered to vote, do all they can do to turn up on the 28th.

I still hear that people don’t know who to vote for and ask me for recommendations. I’m never sure whether to laugh or cry, given that I am presenting in the elections. In the last four years as a councillor, I would estimate that around 70 per cent of my work has been with the UK community. Now, not everyone I have attempted to help is a resident. People with second homes here can have just as many problems to sort out as those who live here. But at the end of the day, they also pay their local taxes and are entitled to help when things go awry.