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!!!!!
As a professional male grooming salon owner, I have struggled with this
issue to find barbers with work ethics. My five year journey has been
very disappointing and discouraging once I realized how true your blog - Barber
Ethics - really is in the metro-area of NC.
As an IT consultant I took a break from corporate America, and attended two barber
schools. I enrolled with an entrepreneurial spirit, but graduated with utter
disappointment. I continued to pursue my dream of running a successful Male Grooming Salon for the following
target market:
Female barbers who are tired
of being disrespected in a all male barber shop
Female patrons who dread the
thought of taking their son to a male barber shop
Male clients seeking full spa
service, without dealing with a women's "Hen Party"
I've noticed male grooming salon franchises being dominated by stylist,
because franchise owner can not locate "Barbers with Work Ethics".
I see full service male grooming salons closing, due to limited staffing to
maintain the business.
In summary, I understand, I witness, and I've been living with this Barber
Ethics blog too long. Maybe things will change, but when that day
comes I'll have workstations vacant and ready to be filled by a barber with Skills and Barber Ethics.
I will be shearing this with my staff because no could have said it better. When I worked in a barber shop the naighborhood thought that we were to good for them. No we just respected each other and left home home. Just like we do in the Gov.
Yeah, we need to get back to holding ourselves to a higher standard and I bet our clientele will get better, more tips, and people wanting to bring their friends and family by. All of our clients aren't teenagers or people in their 20's, we have children and older people that deserves our respect.
Props on the post because some need to read it.
BarbersAndStylists.com - The place for professional barbers & stylists to network & mingle
Don't kill us, thrill us!!! Be part of the solution, not part of the problem!!!!!
