I've had a lot of trouble with barbers over the years. Perfectly amiable chaps, all of them, but they do have a tendency to talk all the time. As you will have gathered from this self-opinionated blog, when, and if, it comes to talking, then I like to do most of it and on subjects which are of interest to me. The latest triumphs, or more likely the woes, of the England football team, which appear to be a favourite topic for most barbers, do not loom large in my list of interests. So, I developed an anti-barber-chatter tactic. I made a habit of always going in armed with a book which, having settled myself into the chair, I opened rather ostentatiously. This worked most times but failed with an Italian barber who continued blithely on his favourite subject - the Italian football team!
However, in old age, or 'very, very late middle-age' as I prefer to think of it, I have finally cracked the problem of the gossiping barber. When I moved down here I discovered by accident a 'barberette' - a lady barber - not, I assure you, in one of those 'uni-sex hair salons' (dread words!) but a proper men-only barber shop, but, with a rather attractive lady wielding the scissors. This young woman introduced me to a new experience - electrical clippers! Consequently, I now walk in, settle myself in the chair, cry out 'number 3 all over' and I have barely found my place in the book I am carrying when it is all finished! And, apart from saying "Hello", "That'll be six pounds, please", "Thank you" and "Goodbye", those are the only words she speaks. Bliss!
I might leave home - but not a word to the little 'Memsahib'!
There is a Russian-American writer (with real books published, so I'm correct in calling him such), who blogs on LJournal, and he has a series of short stories involving barbershops. Bitter-sweet, as the subject requires, of course.
Motives of Samson and Delilah...the lady barber[ess]...the Figaro...that brings us to opera...to Viena...to beer...to football fans. Oops, sorry!
I guess, for men bloggers writing about barbers is equivalent of shoe-blogging for women-blogggers.
Posted by: Tatyana | Tuesday, 19 August 2008 at 16:31
Different trims for different hims! Some of my friends are most particular about their barbers, or hair stylists, as they call them, and will spend £30 or £40 per session! I don't get it myself, I mean, a hair cut is just a hair cut; a bit like trimming your toe nails, necessary but not something you would wish to waste too much time on.
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 19 August 2008 at 16:43
Now, Mr. Duff - a good pedicure cost that and then some. Money well spent - ask the esteemed Memsahib!
Posted by: Tatyana | Tuesday, 19 August 2008 at 18:24
Yes, yes, Tatyana, but I'm talking men here not you ladies for whom all the rules change!
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 19 August 2008 at 19:15
It was the happiest day of my life when I found a silent hairdesser. Bliss! Other than to discuss hair not a word passes between us.
Posted by: Clairwil | Tuesday, 19 August 2008 at 19:25
Give me her name - I want her to have my babies!
(By the way, did you get my e-mail ref gardening?)
Posted by: David Duff | Tuesday, 19 August 2008 at 19:58
The Memsahib would never forgive me!
I did get your email after a bit of searching.
Your generous support may be called on over the coming months. Happily tomorrow Noel Edmonds is footing the bill!
Posted by: Clairwil | Wednesday, 20 August 2008 at 00:25