There is plenty of controversy and polemics in Italy regarding foreign workers, in Italian often called “extracomunitari” (whether derogatory or not).
While foreigners have often filled the jobs that Italians no longer do on a large scale (as factory workers and aged carers, for example), there is one profession that many Italian women are not complaining about and that’s in the beauty industry.
Many foreigners in Italy have opened their own businesses and are providing services at a lower cost than their native counterparts.
One example is “Yank’s” hairdressing in Rome.
The business is run by 33-year-old Yuki, from Japan, who provides a hair cutting and massage service, all in one.
You can get your hair washed while lying down, enjoy facial treatments and choose a shiatsu massage for the neck or back at the end.
The experience includes background Japanese music and while this may be new in Italy, in Japan it’s the norm.
The only thing Italian about it is the closing times of Sunday and Monday.
There are some reasons to embrace a multicultural Italy, slowly but surely.