I have many interesting customers from all walks of life. Men from the office, the salespeople and their target reach, the university students loathing about their subjects and the hustlers always sharing a secret, everyone have a story for me to learn.
But I’m not going to get into their tales.
Here is something I learn in my trade.
Never judge a customer by his appearance
I am always blown away about the lives of my customers. For instance, there was this guy who looks like a graduate from the arts school. After some casual banter, I learnt that he is a doctor currently working his way up to be general practitioner (GP).
I have my fair share of clients who are friendly, yet they turns out to be one-timers. I have some stern looking folks whom I least expected, that turns out to be my loyal customers.
In the words of Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars,
“…you never know what is gonna come through that door.”
Small talk is akin to dancing
It requires two people to get comfortable until we get to the revealing parts of the conversation. In this, two souls connect to relive the kind of experience that was shared.
The 1-chair barber studio creates that intimacy.
I have a customer who fervently recount on his tale about how he overcame his struggles and what made him to become the man he is today.
And besides a haircut, I get to touch the lives of others by offering a listening ear. Which leads me to my third lesson.
Everyone needs someone
Every man’s advice to another is “ to grow some balls and get your shit together.”
Vulnerability is stigmatised in the world, more so in the male dominated community. Perhaps, it is the fear of revealing your worries to others that makes one become perceived as the “lesser” men, or simply lack the strength to make things right.
However, I see vulnerability as having the strength to accept one’s shortcomings. We gracefully accept and face our fears, or for that matter, assist to shed some light to our brethren that can hopefully offer support to their personal sinkhole.
I see the barber studio as a platform to promote this kind of conversation, privately. Giving that avenue for my guests to reveal themselves and provide some support to their spirit is a very rewarding experience.
Stay humble y’all and thanks for reading.
