My Barber and Me...
A Barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, give shaves, and trim beards. In previous times, barbers also performed surgery and dentistry. In more recent times, with the development of safety razors and the decreasing prevalence of beards, most barbers primarily cut hair. Barber is from the Latin barba, beard.
-Wikipedia
The above statement, as far as I can tell, is probably accurate. The only thing I take issue with, is the bit about the decreasing prevalence of beards. This sounds kind of vague to me and I'm not sure if that's the reason for barbers steering clear of shaving beards. I would guess that it has something more to do with the rising cost of insurance and perhaps the general public consensus in regards to trusting complete strangers with straight razors, in close proximity to their necks. And maybe the whole A.I.D.S. thing slowed things down a bit. Who knows? That's not what this is about.
This is about one of the single most consistent things in my life.
This is about loyalty.
This is about value.
This is about service.
This is about my Barber Shop.
I've been getting my haircut at the same Barber Shop since I was a teenager. Uncle Ernie's. There is no Uncle Ernie there. The owner's name isn't even Ernie. It's actually owned by a man named Arikhay. I believe he's a Russian Jew. There are about 6 or 7 other barbers that cut hair in the shop. Most of the time, they are just standing around reading Penthouse or watching TV. They have all the things that Barbers have. Hairbrushes, combs, towels, hairdryers, that jar with the blue liquid. You name it, they have it.
I pick my own hairstyle out at this barber shop. Nothing is left up to chance.
There I am. Middle row all the way on the left.
I feel comfortable in my barber shop. It reminds me of home. It has all of the creature comforts.
I can relax and take a load off. Even a man deserves a spa day once in a while.
The prices never change. Why should they? It's always the same haircut. Always the same shave. $25 for the whole kit & kaboodle. I think this is a very reasonable price.
There is also a plethora of accessories for sale. I never buy them. But there are people who do. I've seen them at the counter. It's not for me. It's not my style.
My barber's name is Mike. He's a good guy. I don't know that much about him but I trust him. He always asks about my family and work. He has a very thick Russian accent. It's hard for me to understand him but somehow, we manage to communicate.
Out-Numbered - Hey Mike. What's new?
Mike - Naaseng. Waas wit u?
Out-Numbered - The usual.
Mike - House verk?
Out-Numbered - Busy, busy, busy. Thank God.
Mike - House da gerlz?
Out-Numbered - Keeping me busy.
Mike - Goot. U vant shafe?
Out-Numbered - I'd love one. Thank you.
Mike - Goot.
I trust Mike to hold a straight razor to my neck.
He's a good guy.
He's my barber... and together we Out-Number most.
-Wikipedia
The above statement, as far as I can tell, is probably accurate. The only thing I take issue with, is the bit about the decreasing prevalence of beards. This sounds kind of vague to me and I'm not sure if that's the reason for barbers steering clear of shaving beards. I would guess that it has something more to do with the rising cost of insurance and perhaps the general public consensus in regards to trusting complete strangers with straight razors, in close proximity to their necks. And maybe the whole A.I.D.S. thing slowed things down a bit. Who knows? That's not what this is about.
This is about one of the single most consistent things in my life.
This is about loyalty.
This is about value.
This is about service.
This is about my Barber Shop.
I've been getting my haircut at the same Barber Shop since I was a teenager. Uncle Ernie's. There is no Uncle Ernie there. The owner's name isn't even Ernie. It's actually owned by a man named Arikhay. I believe he's a Russian Jew. There are about 6 or 7 other barbers that cut hair in the shop. Most of the time, they are just standing around reading Penthouse or watching TV. They have all the things that Barbers have. Hairbrushes, combs, towels, hairdryers, that jar with the blue liquid. You name it, they have it.
I pick my own hairstyle out at this barber shop. Nothing is left up to chance.
There I am. Middle row all the way on the left.
I feel comfortable in my barber shop. It reminds me of home. It has all of the creature comforts.
I can relax and take a load off. Even a man deserves a spa day once in a while.
The prices never change. Why should they? It's always the same haircut. Always the same shave. $25 for the whole kit & kaboodle. I think this is a very reasonable price.
There is also a plethora of accessories for sale. I never buy them. But there are people who do. I've seen them at the counter. It's not for me. It's not my style.
My barber's name is Mike. He's a good guy. I don't know that much about him but I trust him. He always asks about my family and work. He has a very thick Russian accent. It's hard for me to understand him but somehow, we manage to communicate.
Out-Numbered - Hey Mike. What's new?
Mike - Naaseng. Waas wit u?
Out-Numbered - The usual.
Mike - House verk?
Out-Numbered - Busy, busy, busy. Thank God.
Mike - House da gerlz?
Out-Numbered - Keeping me busy.
Mike - Goot. U vant shafe?
Out-Numbered - I'd love one. Thank you.
Mike - Goot.
I trust Mike to hold a straight razor to my neck.
He's a good guy.
He's my barber... and together we Out-Number most.
What, you're not out-numbered by anything there? Even beard hairs or hair product or anything?
ReplyDeleteI feel like there's a gaping hole in my life now.
(However, I should note that I am so loyal to my hair stylist--since we womens don't call them barbers--that I follow her from salon to salon if she ever moves.)
Nice piece Jason- As a hairstylist I am happy to hear there is still loyalty in the business! ;-) We do appreciate it . I have some of the same people since I started at 18 ;-)
ReplyDeleteI havn't had my hair cut at a barber in years. I usually just shave mine, but now I am letting it grow so I can look like my boys. Got me wondering though, when you mention the Penthouse Mags, they are not providing all natural in home hair gel are they? Something about Mary style?
ReplyDeleteI love your blog dude, keep em coming
and THIS? Is an awesome piece. My wife is a hairstylist and when we brought the salon to the house ten miles out of town, all of her customers followed her. Nothing beats the relationship a man has with his barber, language barriers be dammed.
ReplyDeleteLove the furniture that looks like it was hiested from someone's grandmother's house. That place beats a high class salon any day. Feel lucky you have had the same place to go for so long, my hair cuts have been like a crap shoot. Sometimes it's lucky number 7 sometimes I just crap out.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of your barbershop reminds me of the places my husband likes to go. If it has a barber pole he's there. We have moved too many times for him to have a regular barber, but he will find someone and go there religiously. But I have to say your barber has some pretty nice comforts there. I like the chairs and wonder if he also does women. Not for me, because with my curly crazy hair I only trust a select few people to do it.:) My curls would outnumber your barber.LOL
ReplyDeletevhat is dis? YUV!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as a woman who is always terrified when she walks into a hair salon, I wish beauty shops were more like Barber shops... more comfy, more relaxed, fewer judgmental women walking around in 8 inch heels, more PlayGirl magazines. Hm, I think I've just invented a "Barbie" Shop!
ReplyDeletetoo cool. cut my own these days but i miss a good wet shave...
ReplyDeleteWhere's the AFTER shot?
ReplyDeleteMy husband's longtime barber retired shortly after we moved into our house. He searched for a new barber. His barber could be my grandfather. His shop is very like the two-chair traditional shop you might see in the movies of the 50s. There are no products. He sharpens his razor on a strop. The chairs are not as comfy as in your shop. It has a very, very masculine feel to it. And I NEVER go in there. There are some places that are still male shrines. This is one. I respect that.
ReplyDeleteI am outnumbered in the barbershop every other Saturday morning. It's very similar to the movie "Barbershop." Buncha dudes discussing football and life. My husband works most Saturdays, so it's up to me to indoctrinate the little guy. But Saturday mornings there's always one or two other women in there with their little dudes.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the photo of the haircut selection.
ReplyDeleteI used to get my haircut at a place in Noble Oklahoma for 6 bucks. Garland (that was the guy's name) had old fashioned everything and used a straight razor on my head instead of the clippers (I had a high and tight in those days). I still miss him. Something about a barber that makes you feel comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI am a sell out and this is just one more post that proves it. I get my hair cut (as do the Macs) at the Wal-Mart of hair salon chains, Great Clips. But the Macs and me go to the same two women (most of the time) and have been for over 6 years--Tam & Heidi. I mean its just hair and frankly I am not that big of a fashion plate. Hell, who can beat a cut and dry for $18 including the tip. For a woman, it is CHEAP! I am glad you and your barber have a long-term, monogamous & faithful relationship. How sweet!
ReplyDeleteI love my barber. He's dependable, loyal and $15 gets you a haircut and he uses the hot lather and straight razor on the back of your neck. And it's a father and son shop, which is even cooler.
ReplyDeleteLast weekend it was me, my father and my son together all getting haircuts. Three generation of men in my family, the manly smell of hot lather, Playboys tucked away on top of the TV...
Love it!
I don't have a barber, but I have a hair stylist. The problem is I live in Greece and she lives in Minnesota. Talk about loyalty. The only time I have had a haircut in the past five years is when we went home for a vacation(about every other year on average). I need a haircut right now so bad it's not even funny. For the first time in years my hair is almost to my butt, but I am holding out for MY stylist. I will see her in a month or so..woohoo!!
ReplyDeleteThe spa picture looks like one of those Hamas suicide bomber videos.
ReplyDeleteWish my original stylist and colorist were still in town.
ReplyDeleteHaven't been thrilled with any of the ones I've used since.
I consider you very lucky that life with and at your barber has been consistent and peaceful.
And the prices, dear lord, the salons charge, these days, is highway robbery!
Talk about women being taken advantage of...oh well!
I used to go to a barber shop until I buzz cut my hair. Now it's too thick to even try to regrow, so my barber is my wife! She's a nice lady and the place I get my hair cut reminds me of... well, my bathroom. :o)
ReplyDeleteI do miss the barber shop feel, though. Glad you have someone you trust with your throat!
I love your barber. I don't even know him and I love him. I think the barber for dudes, is like a manicure/pedicure for us ladies. Ah Mike, I hope his prices remain the same.
ReplyDelete