Thread: Argument with a Barber

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I never had any interest in getting a barber shave. Someone here once said that it would be like seeing the dentist every time you needed to brush your teeth. That made sense to me.

I beg to differ.

For once, it is an extremely luxurious and satisfying experience being pampered for 20-30 minutes while enjoying a professional shave, including hot towels and the works.

Secondly, it gives a straight shaver the perfect opportunity to measure one’s own skills against a professional barber who does this for a living (if you can find one).

Rather than using the comparison of going to a dentist to have one’s teeth brushed, this straight shaver would rather equate this with going to a fine dining restaurant and compare the chef’s creations with one’s own skills in the kitchen, with the opportunity to find some inspiration that one might want to try at home.


For me, the net result is that I now have come to the point where a professional shave rarely measures up to what I can achieve at home, even though I still do take pleasure in the old-fashioned experience, atmosphere and luxury of combining a haircut and shave in a Southern European barber shop.
Like this one: http://portovore.com/salao-veneza/

(In fact, I just had a haircut yesterday, so that my hair is long enough to do just that when I go to Portugal next month.)



But to each his own....




B

I took my son for a barber shave about a year ago.



In Florida State law prohibits the use of straight razors, shave brushes and alum blocks.

The old jingle "shave and a hair cut...two bits." Originated a little over a hundred years ago. Now a shave and a hair cut was $25. It was a.weird turn of the numbers. A hundred years later it costs a hundred times as much.
I haven't been to a barber for over 20 years. I cut my own flat top. I can also shave my own neck but I need three mirrors. I'm not doing that with a straight so I have my wife do it.

To the OP's point about arrogance. I have found that very often arrogance stems from insecurity. I trust people more if they are willing to say "I don't know" or "I'm not sure."

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

To the OP's point about arrogance. I have found that very often arrogance stems from insecurity. I trust people more if they are willing to say "I don't know" or "I'm not sure."

I learned that lesson a long time ago.

When I started my career nearly 50 years ago, I worked in a R&D lab. Every quarter we had to present the progress on our research to the Research Director. Most of of the researchers were PhDs who thought they knew it all. The Director would sit in the back of the room looking like he was half asleep. If someone who say something that did not quite make sense, he would pop up and ask a question for clarification. The PhDs would answer, even if they weren't sure of their answer, rather than admit they did not know the answer. The Director would then ask another question, then another, until he made the presenter seem like a fool. I quickly learned that when he asked me a question, unless I was absolutely sure of the answer, I could respond "I am not sure, let me do some research and get back to you." He would close his eyes and rest his head in his hands and I could proceed with my presentation, ego intact. That was a lesson that has served me well through life and continues to do so.

I have a PhD.
Here's a picture

I was once told that PhD stood for Piled Higher and Deeper.

Bob

I have known a lot of PhDs in my time. Some were quite brilliant and knowledgeable in a variety of subjects. Others studies intensely in an attempt to learn more and more about less and less until they knew everything about nothing.

Originally Posted by RayClem

I have known a lot of PhDs in my time. Some were quite brilliant and knowledgeable in a variety of subjects. Others studies intensely in an attempt to learn more and more about less and less until they knew everything about nothing.

Well put.

Bob

Originally Posted by RayClem

I have known a lot of PhDs in my time. Some were quite brilliant and knowledgeable in a variety of subjects. Others studies intensely in an attempt to learn more and more about less and less until they knew everything about nothing.

What a waste with no effort and no studying I managed to know everything about nothing and nothing about everything my entire life.
If you dont believe me just ask my wife

Sort of related.

I have found that the biggest secrets are the easiest to understand and perform.

If the problem relies on skills and knowledge and they are hard learned things the person will share them with you.

They are not afraid that you are going to take their job.