Ravings Of A Sane Man

Barber Shop Have Got It Right

When I was growing up I got my hair cut at old man Elliot’s shop in East Liverpool, Ohio for $2.25.  It was my grandfather who took me—and if Pap called him “old” he must have been VERY old.  Every week of the summer, Pap and I would drop off grandma at her beauty (read: gossip) parlor; go for breakfast, and then off to the barber (read: political) shop.  I would sit there and they would debate the world of, “If I were in charge.”  No one was excluded from the conversation, except for me, most of the time.  Those in the chair, in line, and most of those just walking down the street knew every other person’s political conviction.  I got to say something when no one else would take my Pap’s side; he would say “Idn’t that right son?” and I would always agree (at least out loud).  The man had just bought my breakfast and was my ride home, what would you have me do?

Those fellas in that barbershop, and other such shops I’ve been in over the years, have got the right idea.  In my more than a hundred trips through the door of “old man Elliot’s shop”, not once did I hear “I’ll let you cut my hair, but first where do you stand on abortion?”  Nor did I ever hear “Well if that’s how you feel I don’t want you as a customer.”  No one went away mad, maybe a little upset they were unable to change that other guy’s opinion, but not mad.  They were, however, determined—they would be back next time and change his mind on that or some other topic.  The conversation was always frank, but polite.  Though, in fairness, the guy in the chair wasn’t always adamant about his view when it didn’t match that of the shaky hands of the man holding the just-sharpened scissors or straight-blade.

Pap often said that it’s the ones who know what to do who can’t be heard, and the one’s who know what to say who can.  Like he was on so many things, Pap was right. 

I tell you, write to your congressperson and tell them to visit a barbershop and beauty parlor in their district.  They need not get a haircut but they do need to get an ear and head full.  The people in those shops will tell the leaders how they feel…what’s right and what’s wrong.  Of course, the key is to listen not just hear.   Another thing Pap taught me was to close my mouth and open my ears—again, he is right. Listening is different from just being in earshot and bobbing your head up and down…that is a topic for a later chapter.

Why do our congresspeople not spend more time in barbershops and beauty parlors and less time at fancy balls?   I know the haircut isn’t always the best, but the information is priceless and worthy of their time. My mother always took time to take the “steps” out of the back of my head left by old man Elliot’s shaky clippers; but she never tried to take the information.

Now ladies, I know that this has been somewhat one-sided in the favor of men, but truth-be-known I have very little knowledge of what takes place in a beauty parlor.  The only real knowledge I have is when I would go inside and wait for grandma to get done once Pap and I finished our morning, and when m