What ever happened to the barber being thought of as one of the pillars of the community?Now-a-days most of the younger barbers need to understand that professionalism is key in making progress as a barber.I believe that in a lot of black barbershops,(not all) the "ethics "issue is something that needs to be discussed.There seems to be a large number of barbers who believe that they can do at the shop what they see done in the street!!!(where did that come from?!?!) Do brothers actually believe that they can be verbally vulgar all day? do brothers actually believe that they can drink alcoholic beverages during your patron's haircut? Do brothers actually believe they can smoke things other than a cigarette at work?!?!(when did this become ok with us?) Those who went to school for our PROFESSION already know; "Barber Ethics" is something that's starting to become absent with a lot of new barbers. If you still don't understand what that's all about then here it is: PRETEND THE OLD-GUY YOU'RE SERVICING IS YOUR FATHER; PRETEND THE WOMAN WHO WANTS HER SONS HAIRCUT IS YOUR AUNT; PRETEND THAT THE WALK-IN YOU DON'T KNOW IS THE MAYOR OF YOUR CITY. In essence, we need to remember to identify with the patrons as human beings who are looking to us to perform a service, AND THAT'S IT!!!! In parting, here's a question that only the experienced barber with good barber ethics will be able to answer: Is your reputation worth anything?Is it worth saving?Remember; WORD OF MOUTH IS STRONGER THAN ANY PUBLICATION IN THIS BUSINESS!!!! All of us started by being recommended by someone else.For you guys who believe you're only hurting yourself, your KILLING THE REPUTATION OF EVERYONE IN YOUR SHOP!!!! Because patrons do not exclude ANYONE when it comes to shops or salons; To them we're ALL guilty....(Those with experience know what I mean!!)Remember the history of Barbering when we were held in very high esteem in the community.(for those in the blind,peep ask yahoo.com "why are barber poles red and blue?")Don't lighten-up, tighten-up!!!! Help to kill the lowly barber stereo-type!!!!!
Don't kill us, thrill us!!! Be part of the solution, not part of the problem!!!!!
