Stealing Hair Extensions
When we get a batch of raw Russian hair in we always hackle out the short hairs, wash the hair while tangle testing, give it a quick conditioning and then hang it to dry. We like to the hair to hang dry because we can see the natural texture and our customers see how the hair will look on their clients.
A couple of years ago, we used to hang some of our bulk hair outside in the summer sun to dry quickly. We had to stop because one day we caught a homeless woman stealing our hair. She was grabbing those bundles as fast as she could, stuffing them down her shirt, into her pockets and didn’t even stop when the production ladies started yelling at her. We managed to get all our hair back from the woman and just sent her away. She didn’t even really want the hair for anything except there it was and it looked pretty. This was a pretty comical event and we laughed about it – after we got all our hair back.
What is happening these days is not so funny. Hair theft is not so new. We have been hearing scary stories out of Russia and India for several years now. But it is fairly new here in the US with businesses targeted specifically for their hair extensions. And these thieves are knowledgeable enough to go for the good stuff.
Ethnic Minorities in China
From the hinterlands of the north, to the lush jungles in the south, from the mountains of Taiwan in the east, to the top of the world in the west, China serves as home to 56 official ethnic groups. The largest group, the Han, make up over 92% of China's vast population, and it is the elements of Han civilization that world considers "Chinese culture." Yet, the 55 ethnic minorities, nestled away on China's vast frontiers, maintain their own rich traditions and customs, and all are part of Chinese culture.