Professionalism in the barbershop has been nonexistent for many years. Decades ago when barbering was in its heyday, men wore their hair short and daily shaves at the barbershop were extremely common. Barbershop owners took extreme pride in their ambience, from the smells, to the texture of the wood, down to the fashion of the barber chair. During the late sixties and most of the seventies, fashion trends changed and men began to wear their hair longer thus not needing the frequency of the barbershop. Safety razors had been introduced and now men could effectively shave at home and over time the barbershop began to become a dying breed. The traditional black barbershop however has always been a staple in the community because of the ability for African American men to come to a common place and be themselves in an environment that supports their culture.
However, over the years in the black community we have become complacent with just a “hangout” spot for the neighborhood guys to “shoot the breeze.” It’s very important for many different reasons that the barbershop go back to its roots of strong professionalism, great service, and a tasteful rich flavored ambiance. Thus the term “grooming” has been coined in an attempt to put a new spin on something that has old-fashioned appeal. So as a client of the barbershop understand getting a haircut is an important part of a man’s routine, let it be the highlight of your week rather than an item on your schedule, let it be an experience and not just a haircut. Seek out the places closest to you and don’t be afraid to spend an extra $15-$20 on your service, you will appreciate the level of service and attention to detail that should be expected. Don’t just get a haircut, get groomed.
Jared Maurice Scott is the owner of His Grooming Lounge located in Washington, D.C.
