How The Barbershop Makes You A Big Man

A lot of you probably remember the great action flick, The Untouchables, starring Kevin Costner from the late 80s. But how many of you remember how that film began?

Lets think about what the filmmakers wanted to establish that Al Capone, the notorious gangster, ran Chicago and he was the king of the Windy Citys castle. So how did director Brian DePalma decide to visually achieve that in the opening shot of the film?

By showing Robert DeNiro as Al Capone in an upscale barbershop, getting the full treatment manicure, warm towel, straight razor shave, etc. being interviewed by newspaper reporters. With the barber chair serving as his throne. Thats how most men feel in the barber chair, to be honest. Theyre being attended to in a place designed for guys. Where guys can feel comfortable, talk about guy stuff and leave looking and feeling their best. In these politically correct times, where the unisex salon franchise is all the rage, it means a lot to bring back that totally male experience. And it means a lot to have that kind of sanctuary and time to breathe in the middle of the day.

Lets be honest, there are plenty of men out there who have grown up never setting foot in a barbershop. Now thats a tragedy, plain and simple.

Thats why at some barbershops want to bring back that feeling and make guys feel like kings again just like in the old days. And theyre not alone - theyre part of a movement. Cool guys always look like they just came from the barbershop. You ever see James Bond with much of stubble (well, pre-Daniel Craig, that is)? Maybe after Dr. No locked up Bond overnight with Ursula Andress, but that situation is worth a little hair on your face.

Okay, maybe Clint Eastwood in a Western makes you think of stubble - and hes close to being the coolest guy in the world. Well, surprise, surprise, even Clint took time out for a haircut and shave in High Plains Drifter, when he patronized a barbershop in an old Western town.

Of course, since it is a Clint Western, three gunslingers come in to ambush him and out from under his barber cape, Clint brings up his six-gun and quickly puts them down on the floor next to his hair clippings.

Yes, we men like to be pampered. But we also like to feel in charge too. You know, like we could take out any three guys coming after us in about three seconds. The barbershop satisfies all those basic male requirements.

But Eastwood fans, please note - most barbershops do discourage the firing of guns in their locations.


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