Turkish Barbers

[Hard-Drive]

I'm a couple of years off 50 and fortunate enough to still need the regular services of a barber. Up until a couple of haircuts ago, this has generally been at an English barber, and usually went like this.

Queue for a cut whilst reading a well thumbed 3 day old copy of the gutter press (assuming they are open, and there is no "back in 10 mins" sign in the door)
Put on loosely fitting gown thingy
Clippers to back and sides and down the back of each ear
Scissors on top
Bit of gel
Total time in chair 10-15 mins
Cost £10
Then go home and change the itchy shirt that's now got hair all down the collar

Now, I've had a epiphany and go to a Turkish barber. The experience goes like this...

No queue, straight into chair (open 7 days)
Clever paper thing around neck that stops all errant hairs going down collar, plus gown
Cup of Turkish coffee (covered with a piece of tissue in case any hair gets in)
Square of Turkish Delight on a cocktail stick
Clippers to back and sides (with a huge amount more time and effort spent)
Scissors on top (ditto)
Flame thingy on the ears
Clippers to eyebrows
Straight razor to sideburns, behind ears, back of neck, temples
Nostril waxing (looks ridiculous, highly effective)
Cup of Turkish tea
Hot towel on face
Hand, arm and neck massage
Wax
Spray
Talc
Cologne
Various other squirty/spray things that I have no idea what they are
Time in chair 30 mins
Cost £14

Honestly, I can't see I'll ever go back to an English barber, you just get sooooo much more for your money at a Turkish place. Is it just me who is massively regretting not trying a Turkish barber earlier in life?

[vikingaero]

I agree. I see fewer and fewer English barber shops, and those that remain are the Hipster type barber shops.

My barbers are a Kurdish team and it doesn't matter who cuts your hair, they all greet you as though they are family. Go into London and some barber shops are still open until the early hours.

[Rich Boy Spanner]

My barber is Serbian and tells me about the war. He does generally normal straight-forward hair cuts and you don't wait long, except when some irritant comes in, sits there wanting 1 slash on one eyebrow, two on the other, and a load of other bks doing as if they are in some beauty parlour for urban scrotes instead of a 10 pound barbers..

[bunchofkeys]

I've seen so many of these places pop up over the last year or so, but they are always empty when I'm walking past.
Looks to me like a money laundering shop front

Equally, what happened to the barber shops that usually had totty doing your hair, they've all gone in London

[devnull]

I used to like going to the “golden scissors” barbers situated behind tower42. Always greeted well, offered a coffee or a beer and a great cut and shave. Sadly haven’t been for a while thanks to the pandemic but always try to make the effort when I’m near.

[Lincsls1]

Yes, I must admit when I have used a Turkish barber, the time in the chair is much longer.
More of a pampered experience for sure.
Happy to use them

[PositronicRay]

bunchofkeys said:

I've seen so many of these places pop up over the last year or so, but they are always empty when I'm walking past.
Looks to me like a money laundering shop front

Equally, what happened to the barber shops that usually had totty doing your hair, they've all gone in London

Agreed, and what's with all this finger pulling shenanigans? I don't use cologne or other smellies so certainly won't be spending extra on them.

[Whats on Second]

Rich Boy Spanner said:

My barber is Serbian and tells me about the war. He does generally normal straight-forward hair cuts and you don't wait long, except when some irritant comes in, sits there wanting 1 slash on one eyebrow, two on the other, and a load of other bks doing as if they are in some beauty parlour for urban scrotes instead of a 10 pound barbers..

indeed. I sat for 15 minutes waiting my turn while some youngster directed the stylist [ barber ] in cutting
each hair individually, I walked out.
however, it's likely this fella will grace this establishment again in a fortnight, so it's good trade for the barber I suppose.
my haircut lasts 12 weeks.

[otolith]

They vary, but yeah, it's usually a less perfunctory experience than the traditional barbers.

[DavieW]

The thing with Turkish barbers round my way is everyone seems to come out with exactly the same hairstyle.

[DoctorX]

Sounds good, apart from nostril waxing. Sod that!

[Robotron70]

I heard they sell class A’s and weed mostly, cutting hair is just a front.

[mike74]

Robotron70 said:

I heard they sell class A’s and weed mostly, cutting hair is just a front.

More likely a money laundering front for an associated drug dealing operation rather than actually doing the selling directly from the premises.

[hammo19]

SAKS for me with a professionally trained stylist (the owner). Expensive compared to £14, but on time appointment, hair washed by friendly young lady with head massage, choice of beer, wine, tea, coffee, water. Hair, eyebrows, ears and jolly good chat all in 30 mins. I go every 6 months so £50 a year.

[rallye101]

Robotron70 said:

I heard they sell class A’s and weed mostly, cutting hair is just a front.

Good to know cheers!

[Evanivitch]

I generally have the same observations. Worst case is usually a female barber, which usually means the clippers are blunt and the chat is dull. My local male barber is perhaps the worst example of self advertising, zero hair or beard maintenance appears to be his approach!

hammo19 said:

, hair washed by friendly young lady with head massage.

Never understood the appeal of getting your hair washed and a haircut after...

[Skyedriver]

A very pretty, kind lady does my hair, or what's left of it with one of those trimmer devices. I just have to ask and I've an appointment booked.
Does it my home too.
Has moved house three times, same as me, and still does a good cut every time.

Oh and there's a couple of Turkish Barbers in our town.

[austinsmirk]

Totally agree. Turkish, Syrian, Kurdish. I’m never ever going to an English barbers again. If I think of the decades of basically having appalling service forever: compared to the service now. Sod that

I always give them a decent tip too because they’ve earned it and my parents were both refugees so I sort of figure: I’m assuming they’ve often seen some horror.

[Piginapoke]

Clippers. Lockdown epiphany

[bigpriest]

Sounds like you've previously been to poor quality barbers. A qualified barber would have knolwedge of the bones of your head and make sure your haircut was tailored for you. Some of the barbers from outside the UK don't appreciate this fact and customers leave looking shaved and a little 'strange' - like Oddbod from Carry on Screaming.