My barber has retired

(Of course, since I've lost a lot of hair since I started with him, this isn't that much of a problem.) But I still wish that my barber was still available. He is, sort of, because he's now taking customers on an "appointment only" basis. He is also in a town 20 miles over the hill from me (we moved to this new area before he retired--and I'd still go out of my way to get my hair cut at his shop rather than try out new ones in my own town). And I know others who wish that he hadn't retired. What does this barber do that's different from others that would make us such loyal customers?

First of all, his shop was always friendly. With lots of comfortable sitting room. With plenty of reading materials (magazines, newspapers). Well lit. A large television was mounted on the wall in one corner over the magazine rack. A large picture window faced the busiest street in town. He swept the floor after each customer so that it wouldn't be hairy to walk on. He had a sterilizer where he kept his shaving equipment--he would alternate the equipment for each customer. He had a steamer in which he'd keep clean, hot, moist towels. He had a large bulletin board on one wall of the shop. On the bulletin board were thousands of business cards from various customers and businesses. It was always interesting to see who and what businesses were represented on the board. He had a stack of business cards with the shop's address and phone number so appointments could be made--the cards were kept next to the cash register. There was always lively banter and talk when the barber shop was busy.

As for the haircuts? Not excellent, but not bad, either. One of the nicest touches that he offered with each haircut was using a vibrating strap-on hand massager on your scalp and upper shoulders. In fact, this was the main reason why I wanted to continue going to this shop. Even if the haircut got totally messed up, at least you'd feel good about getting it for quite a while afterwards (until you looked in a mirror). The massage added only an additional minute or two to each haircut, but for me it was what drew me back time after time. And yes, at first, it was somewhat strange and uncomfortable having some guy running his hand through my hair, scalp, neck, and shoulders.

This was a rare barbershop. Have never found another barber shop here in the US mainland that provides those same massage services without an extra charge. Now, because it's such a hassle making an appointment to show up 20 miles away from my home (and I only have weekends available for my own time), I go to a barber in town (just down the street from where I live). But his haircuts aren't that good. They get the job done, but just barely. I tried another barber in town, but his haircuts were even worse and he charged more.

However, the best of the best haircuts I ever managed to get were those on Guam at the Julale Shopping Center in downtown Agana (now called "Hagatnya"). There was this "Hair Stylist Salon" in the shopping center that gave the best haircuts for the best prices. And one gal who worked there became my favorite haircutter--you guessed it--after each haircut, they provided a head, neck, and shoulder massage. This hair salon wasn't fashioned after the small-town America barbershops with the TV in the corner, the magazine rack bristling with fishing and hunting and car magazines, and the bulletin board loaded with business cards--this was a "more fashionable" place... frequented by tourists as much as the locals. I would go to this shop and I'd purposely wait for a particular stylist to do my hair. She was relatively attractive, always friendly, and would hold a conversation in broken Chinese-English. Her haircuts were excellent--razor/scissor cuts, and the massages were definitely a major plus. I managed to continue to get haircuts here for 5 years before having to leave the island.

Why am I writing about haircuts? I guess I realize that it's time to get a haircut. Haven't decided which hair yet. *GRIN* And, I was wondering about what some places do to gain and retain customers, and how others don't seem to care one way or another if they ever see you again. And, after sitting at this damn computer for the past few hours, I could sure use a good head, neck, and shoulder massage!