At Barber’s — The Only Place In Entire Cosmos Where Men Can Be Men
If
there is one place in the entire universe where men talk men stuff
openly without any inhibitions and holding back, it must be The
Barbershop. Hands Down. In a vast infinite cosmos it is one place where
men bitch about the other sex without worrying about the other sex
listening to them. Imagine it as some exclusive-for-men holy shrine.
Barbering is a cult without the formal ‘cult’ status from any authority
because hey! which cult cares for outside authority? Barber is our
leader, the priest. The men, his flock. Barber is no ordinary man. He
knows about you without your’ uttering a word. He knows when you had
your last haircut. He knows what haircut suits you and what won’t.
At
Barber’s, men indulge in men-talk. Even historically, barber’s place
have been known to be social gathering venues where men gather for their
daily share of gossips and news. It is where they religiously join for
their share of stress release. You thought only women banter? Well, men
do too. But there’s slight difference between the two. You see, women
care, they mind about what they say and hear while men don’t. Women mind whose husband did what to whose wife. Women mind everything but their own business.
Men banter is just careless talk about sports, women, sex, more women,
more sex, more women, more sex; did I say women and sex enough? Oh yeah,
men also talk about other men. It’s not exclusive women trait. We love
our stories. You see, we feel sad for how painful his life is but also
happy for how less worse ours is!
The
conversation goes from politics, mostly local with lots of gossips to
popular films including who is currently dating who to their past to
mundane stuff. Mostly sex. Point to note, it is always about sex.
You
must see the look on men’s faces when a women comes with her child.
It’s like an alien has entered their territory. It should always be a
dad or caretaker, cousin, uncle, any male who should bring the child.
Hey! It’s men’s place — single place in the entire universe. Leave them
on their own.
The
cities have mostly changed the equations. Also in the city life, all of
a sudden people have become busy. We mostly stare at our screens today
than talk in person. Barbers back then and in countryside (or villages)
even today are sources of all kinds of information. They are point where
all gossips and stories are served from morning till night. In fact at
my place back home, that’s where we collect our newspapers. And also the
local news not in print but verbal!
Back
when I was kid and my dad used to take me to ‘family barber’ for my
haircut, the barber used to give me those orange candies because as a
kid you cry and candies are your bribes. As I grew up, I learned the
meaning of ‘family barber’. The barber’s family used to cut our hairs
since generations — both ours and theirs. During marriage there is
tradition of barber cutting grooms hair in an elaborated ceremony. Same
with a newborn with his first haircut. I was also told when I started
visiting new barber as I grew up that you need to pay visit to ‘family
barber’ at times or they might not visit us during ‘cere
monies’.
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| How Would You Like It Sir? Image Courtesy: Paul Davies |
Barber’s
job is an work of art. Our scalp is their canvas. You must see those
carefully drawn maps and faces during any high-octane sports matches. So
when he asks, “How would you like it sir?”, you answer what you want.
And then close your eyes and say a silent prayer. Even if you are an
atheist, you pray — you pray to all gods that it turns out good! There
are two professions where you are not supposed to shout or misbehave
before you are done — doctors and barbers. Don’t forget, they both work
with razors and “I’m Sorry!” is not the phrase you wanna hear when they
are done!
Theirs is one of the oldest known profession.
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| Barber at Peshawar, British India 1907. Wikipedia Image |
Razors
have been discovered among relics of the Bronze Age which was around
3500 BC in Egypt indicating the earliest roots of the trend. Now there
can be other methods through which men got their hairdo done in earlier
times and we have no relics but proof wise, that’s how far we can trace
barbering. Today, barbers may just play with our scalp and facial hair
but in ancient times, around middle ages, there are records that suggest
they also indulged themselves in surgery and dentistry. Apart from the
usual work they do today, they were known to perform enemas, fire
cupping, leeching, neck manipulation, cleansing of ears and scalp,
fistula, draining of boils; the list goes on. In fact, they were paid
more than surgeons of the time.
In
India, a barber passes his art to his son or his accomplice at his own
place of work. It’s more or like, you look at the actual work and learn
yourself. But do you know, there are barber schools where they teach you
how to cut and style men’s hair? Well, it all goes back to 1893 when a
barber named A. B. Moler from Chicago established a school for barbers.
Obviously, it took off followed by more branches almost in every state
of United States. Be it recession, low pay or no pay, flood or famine,
day or night, your hair knows none of it. All they know is to grow and
at some point you need to cut or style them. So despite the economic
recession of 2008 when every industry was faltering and coming to its
knees, barber industry continued its positive growth!
Everyone
has their ‘own’ barber. One they can go and just be. You go to your
barber and sit on that chair. He does his job without any question. And
does it perfectly, the way you like it. In between you take a nap or do
whatever, he does his job exactly the way you wished it to be. But
that’s the case at your place. Familiarity comes with frequent flying.
But when you fly frequently to new places, it brings havoc not
familiarity. One, you have to find a ‘perfect’ place to give your hairs
to a barber. Second, you have to answer the cult question, “How would
you like it sir?” with precision. If one explanation goes wrong or is
miscommunicated then all hell might break lose. You see its hairy
business down at this place.
You
may scoff or just laugh it out at hair business but I wonder what would
be your reaction if I told you in India there are few temples where
tonsuring one’s hair is part of devotional exercise and one such temple
has earned
Rs. 200 crore (i.e. one-tenth of its annual revenue) in 2011–12 by just
selling these very hairs of its devotees. That temple is the famous
Tirumala Temple — world’s richest in terms of donations received and
wealth. Not just in India but world across hair business is serious business.
That
is two bits on hairs and those who style them from my side. Do comment
below of your insights and experiences from these men shrines. And if
you are a women reader, do comment how different hairdressing is at
women’s saloons.
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