Barber Shops.
- Thread starter Sam Gamgee
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I'm a DIY type in general, but I have to admit that I've never, not even once, considered being my own barber.
To me, going to the barber can be very relaxing and enjoyable. I find that men will let you sit there and rest, be quiet, and sometimes even doze off. But women want to chat, which ruins it for me.
To me, going to the barber can be very relaxing and enjoyable. I find that men will let you sit there and rest, be quiet, and sometimes even doze off. But women want to chat, which ruins it for me.
I’ve been fortunate enough to live in cities with actual barber shops. I’ve tried several chain places & a salon or 2 just to get the hair out of my eyes. They just weren’t for me.
Yes, the shops I’ve been to charge $30-40+ tip for a haircut & beard trim, but I’m 100% satisfied when I leave. Plus a beer or shot of whiskey while I’m getting cleaned up. Some still do a hot shave with an actual straight razor too!
Yes, the shops I’ve been to charge $30-40+ tip for a haircut & beard trim, but I’m 100% satisfied when I leave. Plus a beer or shot of whiskey while I’m getting cleaned up. Some still do a hot shave with an actual straight razor too!
I'm the same. Been cutting my own hair over twenty years. Fading is difficult.
I'm not convinced I can do a better job than a barber. But its free, and I'm already married.
Must have saved a fortune.
I also cut one son's hair and my father in laws hair.
I have found the exact opposite and only have women cut my hair now. They pay attention and make it look good. The male barbers around here only know one style of cut and everyone looks the same. They talk incessantly and don't pay attention and I have had to point out they "missed" areas and its uneven. I am loyal to those who do a good job. My Dad's barber would stand behind him for ten minutes clicking the scissors pretending to cut his hair and then charge him $40. He stopped going there when I told him what I saw and switched to my lady barber and was much happier ... especially at half the price. He also liked the extra attention.
I go to a single chair old school barber every six weeks. No appointment needed. Shaves the back of the neck, clips ear hairs and trims eyebrows. $16...$15 for seniors. I've been going to Jim for over 5 years now. I buy Clubman's Jeris Hair Tonic from him too.
It's cheaper on Amazon, but I'd rather spend the extra couple of bucks and support a small business.
It's cheaper on Amazon, but I'd rather spend the extra couple of bucks and support a small business.
Barbershop 
requirements for me are.
1. Men only
2. Expert with a Straight Razor
3. Old school shop environment
4. Barber Pole or resemblance of
5. Well versed in Tobacco, Hunting,
Fishing and Military Service.
Im fortunate that my barber of 33 years retired and cuts mine at his house 5 miles away and we shoot the shit. He ran a high end shop from 1953-2003 and at 91 yrs old
He’s still as good as he was in 1953
requirements for me are.1. Men only
2. Expert with a Straight Razor
3. Old school shop environment
4. Barber Pole or resemblance of
5. Well versed in Tobacco, Hunting,
Fishing and Military Service.
Im fortunate that my barber of 33 years retired and cuts mine at his house 5 miles away and we shoot the shit. He ran a high end shop from 1953-2003 and at 91 yrs old
He’s still as good as he was in 1953
That's been my experience. It's like walking into a junior high school environment. The ladies were always focused on the perfect cut.
I have a barber shop, single chair. Over the past couple of decades he, my barber, and I have become warm, friends.
He has sign in his shop.
Fast haircut - not so good
Cheap haircut - not that fast
Good hair cut - not cheap, not fast
Customer's choice.
My wife actually went to cosmetology school back in the day and has a license, but she hates cutting hair and it's always a hassle to try and get it done at home. I want a haircut when I want one, and she wants to cut it when she wants to cut it. Those are never the same times.
She told me they train the ladies in the schools to chat it up, ask about your kids, where they go to school, etc. to be more personal. I have found that the same ladies will ask me the very same questions three or four weeks later. They aren't listening but just want to come off as nice and accommodating. I get it, and there are certainly worse things in life. I just like to get in the chair and sit quietly. It seems to me that the real people-skill would be to figure out who you have in the chair: does he want to chat or sit quiet, etc.?
She told me they train the ladies in the schools to chat it up, ask about your kids, where they go to school, etc. to be more personal. I have found that the same ladies will ask me the very same questions three or four weeks later. They aren't listening but just want to come off as nice and accommodating. I get it, and there are certainly worse things in life. I just like to get in the chair and sit quietly. It seems to me that the real people-skill would be to figure out who you have in the chair: does he want to chat or sit quiet, etc.?
I take my youngest to the barber shop. The shop is pretty interesting with lots of old signage and advertisements but it’s pretty expensive. I used to do all the haircutting in my family but the kids stopped sitting well for me and I went bald so I just razor shave my head once a week now.
Same here, although, my experience is all past tense. I used to only frequent a true Italian ole school
barber (back when i had hair). I used to love my $8 + 5 beard/moustache trim + tip) haircuts. I heard since covid you cannot find a ole school barber under $30 for just a haircut in any major city now 
Back when I had hair I found a good barber and stuck with him until I lost enough hair where I just shave my own every other week these days. I think barbers are well worth their money. You engage with the community and know your money is staying local and you’re probably going to get great service.
Long gone is the 90 year old barber stropping his straight razor then shaving a balloon to demonstrate a no burred edge.
Or the two fellas that had Sinatra’s Rat Pack memorabilia and Frank crooning away. A great place to read the newspaper while you await the chair.
These days I cut it myself. Clipper settings down to a science. It’s a piece of cake cutting my hair.
Or the two fellas that had Sinatra’s Rat Pack memorabilia and Frank crooning away. A great place to read the newspaper while you await the chair.
These days I cut it myself. Clipper settings down to a science. It’s a piece of cake cutting my hair.
Once you get to a point that you can feel the different zones on your head, you can just about do it with your eyes closed.
These would be my kinds of barber shops:
