I went to a barber for the first time in my life.

[Jamie-o]

 Well, I'm finally starting to pass pretty regularly, so I decided to give the barber thing a whirl.  It really was a totally different experience.  Now mind, I've never been to any other barbers, so I don't know if this is typical, but here's my experience.

The first thing I noticed is that the place was smaller and less, ah ... fashionable? ... than any hair salon I've been in.  There were 3 old barber chairs that had been repaired several times with duct tape.  I didn't see any sign of a hair washing station.  (That's too bad.  I didn't need a wash, but I really enjoy that part of the haircut experience.)  The main focal point of the room was a T.V. playing an old Clint Eastwood movie.  Yeah, very much a boy's clubhouse kind of vibe to the place. 

The cut itself was different as well.  I'm used to having most of the cut done with scissors, and then the clippers just being brought out for the back of the neck and a bit of touch-up.  Here it was the opposite.  Most of the cut was done with the clippers, and then the scissors were used to tidy up the front a bit.  Then he spread some nice-smelling gel across the back of my neck and shaved the bottom of the hair line with a razor.  That was interesting.  The cut itself is a bit more conservative than I usually go for, but I liked the experience, so I may go back. (That's the cut in my avatar.)

Now, if I can just get enough beard to grow to make it worthwhile, the next thing I'll have to try is a traditional barber's straight shave.  I hear there's a guy in St. Paul who still does that.  I'm thinking of making that a special outing for my birthday in October.  (I shave with a straight razor, but I'm not very good at it yet, and I don't really have the setup for the whole hot towel thing.)

[placeholdername]

Wow, that reminds me of the last time I got my hair cut at a barber shop, 10-11 years ago.  This kinda sounds crazy coming from my side, but there is something cool about it.  Although if anyone cut my hair that short now I'd probably go homicidal :O

[Catherine]

Did he offer you something for the week end ??

[Renate]

I'll admit it, there is something nice about barber shops.
It's all about grooming, not particularly styling.
You leave there feeling fresh and clean.

It is a boy's club.
I walk by an old-fashion barber shop almost every day.
I feel the old attraction but sense the "This is not for you" also.

[sneakersjay]

I walk by an old-fashion barber shop almost every day.
I feel the old attraction but sense the "This is not for you" also.

But you get more pampering and girl talk at a salon, Renate!

I go to a unisex salon owned by a gay hairstylist.  The woman who does my hair is married to a friend (who is trans).  When I go, there are mostly women there, with an occasional man.  I go because she's my friend's wife, she does a great job, gave me a good masculine cut without me having to explain myself back when I started transition, but it is more expensive than a barber shop would be.  I should try one.

Jay

[tekla]

I don't think that the guys who go to barber shops want to be pampered.  They just want a haircut.  Time was when they all had girly mags (playboy) but those have gone away, but they still tend to stock Field and Stream and Sports Illustrated.  And mine has a fridge with cold beer in it.  What more do you need?

[sneakersjay]

I don't think that the guys who go to barber shops want to be pampered.  They just want a haircut. 

Exactly.

But Renate isn't a guy....

[tekla]

Yeah, and she implied that she really doesn't go to one either.  They don't do hair like that.  Actually they do "flat top, crew cut, short back and sides and trim."  More complex than that puts you into salon territory (with the accompanying 3X increase in the cost).

Because a lot of the guys here didn't exactly grow up in the barber shop mystique I should point out that quite a few (which is not all, or even most, but 'a lot') of barber shops are also book joints.  So you can get your crew cut and the Lakers+6 at the same time.

[zombiesarepeaceful]

I remember my first barber haircut. It was sorta awesome..cause they couldn't tell I was trans. Just said, "Hey son, what kinda cut do you want?"

[Janet_Girl]

I remember those days and how I was so upset at the prospect of having my hair cut. 

But I must so looking good, Jamie.


Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Korlee]

It has a boy's club even down to the kids.  The one I used to go to when I was little was the same one my uncle Gary went to, my dad, my moms dad, etc.  All at one time or another.  It is abit of tradition to take your son to one. 

The shop was also like the one you speak about.  The chairs were old and patched several times.  Super old candy in the chicle machine which you should avoid because it tends to be a standard.  Some of those little metal horseshoe puzzles with the metal ring in the middle on the table.  I never paid attention to the TV as it was an old black and white TV they'd never replace. 

Those places do have an atmosphere.  Welcome to a club you want to be a part of.

[Ranktwo]

Man, reading your experience reminds me of my first.. last month.
I want to go back but I don't have much hair to cut.. xD

[spacial]

years ago, down the road from me, was a barber who did mens hair.

His shop was small, only one chair. About four old dinning room chairs for people waiting. He didn't like queues and would tell anyone else to come back later. Old TV on sports constantly. Standard cut for everyone followed by a spash of smelly. Each cut took about 10 minutes. He'd always ask, when he'd finished, 'How's that?'. If you said you didn't like it he'd say tough, Next.

Cost a pound.

Men would come from miles around just to go there. The guy made plenty and was about a crusty as you could imagine.

Sadly, those old shops have gone now and replaced by Gentleman's Hair salons.

[Radar]

Because a lot of the guys here didn't exactly grow up in the barber shop mystique I should point out that quite a few (which is not all, or even most, but 'a lot') of barber shops are also book joints. So you can get your crew cut and the Lakers+6 at the same time.

I'll attest to this... my Grandpa was a barber with his own shop... and a big gambler. Also, if anyone out there thinks men don't gossip spend some time in a barber shop with no TV.

[Al James]

My regular barber has just retired so after trying a few different places i picked another old fashioned one not far from where i live. Walked in, only two people ahead of me, one of whom was already in the chair, and finally left two and a half hours later. How can three lots of clippers take so long?

[Nathan.]

I love going to the barbers, although i'm a bit scared that they're gonna tell me to get out as I don't pass well but everytime i've been they've used male pronouns. 

[GabrielJames]

I've started going to a barber even though I'm not really passing. One of my trans friends suggested I go to this one guy because he doesn't ask questions and he'll cut your hair regardless of what gender you look like. The haircut was great although I did feel as if I was being left out of the conversation going on around me. This, however, was probably more due to the fact that I'm not a homeowner and therefore don't pay taxes (the topic du jour). It was a really great haircut and I'm going back there soon to get a trim. I love the way the place felt, smelled. It was like wearing a really great sweater. Warm and cologned, not chilly and obnoxiously perfumed. Loved it.

[Sarah B]

The last time I had a haircut in a barbers (urrrh), was when I was around when I was 13 or 14 and my mum had said to me I needed a hair cut.  She gave me some money and said to ask for a short back and sides.

I thought I was going to get a little trim and being mature and responsible (although I did not want to) I went and I sat in that awful chair and asked for the short back and sides.  I tried to put in my request of not having my hair being cut to short.  However I was in for one of the biggest disappointments of my life, I came away crying my heart out. (I understand now why I cried).

After I got home I said to my mum, I will never go into another barbers again in my life.  Except for having a couple of hair cuts while I was in boarding school.  I have never had my hair shorter than half way up my back.

I have always liked long hair and I will always will, there is so much that you can do with it.

Kind regards
Sarah B
PS  I still hate barber shops with a passion.