When I was a child I'd get my hair cut with Mommy.  Then I really wanted a flat top, so my dad did the right thing and took me to his barber.  I'll never forget it. 

"Luxury" old school barbers are popping up around me.  They offer straight razor shaves and cuts.  Full service.  Hot lather, vintage barber chair, oak walls, tile floor, etc.  But, they're way overpriced.  It's because people think this is "special treatment" and they go in and get the service and then once everything's said and done they walk out paying 60 - 70 dollars with the tip.  I can go to my regular barber and get all this for $20 and I know where I could get it done for less.  But I like my barber.  That's key... developing a relationship with your barber.  The newest thing I heard of locally is this "word of mouth" barber.  You have to know people that know people to get in.  They have no phone number or contact info.  No web presence.  It's supposed to be reasonably priced and a good cut, but the idea is just so lame.  It's not some special secret thing, it's just a barber.  Should be what it is, cheap, quick, some decent small talk, and a good cut.

I once thought about attending barber school and opening a real old school barber - like 3 chairs, old '50s decor, old magazines on the tables, old music on the radio, maybe even old tv shows on loop, to really give people a taste of a bygone era.  Cheap cuts, lather shave, maybe a gentleman's apothecary too - aftershave, razors, pomade, tonics, etc.  Maybe I should have pursued that...  But, the barber shop never died, now people are just capitalizing on the fact that dudes that used to have long hair and goatees now want to look like David Beckham and they think a barber is a novel idea.

Last edited by Worried Man (2013-06-02 17:41:39)

Last edited by The_Shooman (2013-06-02 23:14:18)

The story I've heard is that at some point in the late 60's or early 70's the US regulation went from a separate, gender specific, barber or hairdresser license to a unisex 'hairstylist' license.  The training followed and razors and proper tight-trimming technique was abandoned.  In the last several years all the remaining real barbers have rapidly retired or died.  This void has fortunately been filled by a new young crop that must be capable of traditional styles as well as edgier ones to satisfy a wide age spectrum. 
Having grown up with little old Italian men as barbers, it's still strange to have some young tattooed musclehead cut my hair to loud music, but the cut itself is at least equivalent.
It's funny that that they mention an 'afro shop' as black barbers always have to be aces with the clippers.

I believe my barber's had an enormous pole in him at some point as well.

The barber is the only pampering to which I really treat myself.  I greet the world with bright eyes and a spring in my step as I walk out the door.  Then, I realize I'll one day cease to exist and a great pall of depression once again sweeps over me and casts a black shadow over my existence for the next two weeks.