Days Long Gone: Smoking in the Barbershop

[solideogloria86]

Banned by cities, states and regulatory boards, smoking inside the barbershop is long gone. Barber chairs used to be made (I still have one) with ashtrays built into the arm. a true space for men and freedom. Don't get me wrong, I understand why these changes were made and it's a reflection on society in general. Having said this, it would be wonderful to have again. Walking into the shop and just getting hit with the fragrance from a wonderful blend, Pinaud Clubman talc, and pure vintage America.

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There's a barbershop in Vegas where you can smoke a cigar, have a bourbon, and get a $75 haircut all at the same time.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Are you one of the blue and orange types?

I really don't care. So I'm just messing with ya.. haha. My Dad is an Auburn graduate. When I was a kid he'd threaten to leave me on the side of the road, if I ever uttered the phrase "Roll Tide".

It's actually funny to watch him.. I think he does judge people by their association with the University of Alabama. Not race, not religion, nor their sex stuff... but if you're an Alabama fan he's got nothing for ya. Haha

 

[bullet08]

Not even 20 years ago, there was a barber shop front of NCSU. Not sure if it's still there. Used to get hair cut there until all the older barbers retired. I do remember some barbers smoking when no one's there or if clients don't mind.

Some restaurants used to allow smoke too. But that was long time ago.

 

[gamzultovah]

On the weekend, when it’s by appointment only, my barber lets me smoke in his shop. As a matter of fact, he likes it. It a bonding, liberating feeling...although I did feel like a heroin addict shooting up on a park bench the first time I did it.

 

[krizzose]

I could only imagine the additional cleanup of having clients smoking, not to mention damage to barber chairs from dropped embers.

No doubt. Chasingembers can be a real pain in the ass.

 

[Chasing Embers]

No doubt. Chasingembers can be a real pain in the ass.

Indeed

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

So, I taught myself to hone and use a straight razor. Most modern use a shavette. Anyone ever have a shave from a barber who honed??

 

[kcghost]

I don.t remember having ever smoked in a barber shop though I am certainly enough (born in 1947). Course all I ever wanted to do was go in and get my hair cut.

 

[RainKing]

So, I taught myself to hone and use a straight razor. Most modern use a shavette. Anyone ever have a shave from a barber who honed??

Most barbers went to the straight razors with disposable blades. It’s a sanitation thing. Most all the State Boards require us to use those if we want to offer that service.

 

[saltedplug]

I don't know if this fits, but my podiatrist, in the 60s, used to chain smoke while he whittled calluses off the patients' feet. He was a laid back, sweet guy. No matter what you had come in for, he always started with that.

 

[burleybreath]

I don't know if this fits, but my podiatrist, in the 60s, used to chain smoke while he whittled calluses off the patients' feet. He was a laid back, sweet guy. No matter what you had come in for, he always started with that.

Heh. Same here, only it was my dentist. Seriously, he'd drill on your teeth while squinching his eyes from the smoke rising from the cigarette pinched between his lips. Kind of a grimace thing going on. People smoked almost everywhere back then.

 

[sumusfumus]

As a young kid....I hated getting my hair cut. As a young teen...I loved getting my hair cut. Actually, I loved sitting in the barber shop, waiting for my hair cut. My favorite: browsing through all the girly magazines, and peeking at all the racy calendars hanging on the barber shop walls. It was a real "education".

No women were allowed in the old-school barber shops. Just men, smoking their smelly cigars.

Different times, for sure.