So, i recently found out the Barber Shop i have been going to for nearly 20 years is closing because the owner is retiring (and he has run that place for years, he deserves it)...

So, I have been looking for a replacement Barber Shop but with no luck (which is surprising since this is a university town)..

it seems all these Barber Shops are being replaced with these upper class "Salons".. I don't want to pay $40+ just for a trim at a Salon, I wanna be able to go into a local Barber Shop with a kind "ma & pa" atmosphere and say "the usual, and I think I'll get a shave as well. ohh, and pass me the paper will you?" take a $20 out of my pocket and call it a day..


what about where you live? are you noticing the friendly local Barber Shops are starting to be replaced with these severely Over Priced Salons? or are barber shops still thriving where you are?

I don't really feel that way. I know of an old timey barber shop within walking distance of me. Complete with life sized cut outs of John Wayne and straight razors.

Well, traditionally Salons have been for women. Since young men seem to prefer more feminine hairstyles, it's no surprise that Salons would be edging out the Barbers. Especially in a College town.

I've never had a problem finding a decent barber, myself. When I'm back home, I go to this guy who's an old Japanese guy who fought in the Korean war. Military memorabilia everywhere. Great atmosphere. That said, he's pushing 80, and the barber he's been training is female. Now, I'm not sixist about much, but I firmly believe that the Barbershop is a sacred institution, and one of the few remaining "Male spaces", and I think I'll find another one after he passes, if I return to Maryland.

That said, I don't think the problem is so much Salons, as the big chains, like Mastercuts and Hair Cuttery. They bring the most bank, so they can edge out the smaller businesses. That's what I've noticed, at least.

I don't really go to barbershops. There are a lot of hairdressers in my town though, and I think you can get a shave at some of the places.

More and more of these places are being run by Persians, that's about the only change I notice. And I don't really care who runs the shops so...

Been here in Sweden for a year now.. there are more hairdressers than flies on [censored] but I have as yet to find a proper barber that knows their way around a straight razor and hot towel.

I know of one proper barber back in the Netherlands in Haarlem, but that's 900 km away these days..

'Tis dire times indeed for us men of gentle standing.

There are still plenty of barbershops where I live, and I see them in every city I visit. (Canada)
They don't seem to be very busy, but they're still easy to find.

And there is always the "upper class" option as well, they will be harder to find and very expensive, but there are professional barbers in most city downtown cores for business men to use.

Still a traditional male only barbers in the small town where I live

Seems to exist on the business of older men and parents bringing their sons for a trim

Yes, our local barber shop closed down.

I went there once before it was closed and he completely butchered my hair, so I can't say I really miss the place.

This got me thinking of a great story from when I was a kid. There was a legend about this one barber that one time a woman came in and demanded that she be allowed to get a haircut, because limiting the business to males was discriminatory, and she threatened to sue. So the barber welcomed her to a chair and just nodded along when she told him what she wanted. When he turned the chair around to face the mirror, the woman screamed. The barber had given her a business cut, left part, blocked in back, "the same as all the boys get."

I frickin' love barber shops.

Live in a town of about 25,000. There are three barbers here, but most go the Supercuts and Great Clips (chains) route.

Plenty where I live.

Unisix salon right at the bottom of my street, literally a 5 second walk. Costs ￡5 to get a hair cut, really good. There's at least 3 others within walking distance as well, which are more like proper barbers but they are more expensive and the one closest to me does a better job.

20$? .. lol wow that is too much. The one i go to only charges 8$. I haven't been to barber in a while, but there is sure many of them where i live.

Got about 3 where I live, though, I haven't been to a barber since the 5th grade. I learned to cut my own [censored] hair so I could save money.

I don't go anywhere for haircuts now. I use my own clippers. Doing the back is hardest because you need two mirrors.

The barber tradition is dead in Poland. I know of a few specialized barber shops, but they are rare - strangely enough, most of them were opened relatively recently, so we may be on the brink of barber renaissance. We aren't quite there yet though.

On the bright side, you can easily find local hairdressers with that ma & pa atmosphere you like, so if you're only after a haircut, it's not a problem.

a barber shop just opened up across the street from me actually. went their a few times, great atmosphere and service. nicest tape i ever got, too.

Ask if they shave. Every man should experience a straight shave at least once in their life.

they do, i just didnt get it at the time because up until 2 years ago my face was always as smooth as a babies ass.

I have been going to the same barber for decades now. Even after moving to another town I still go out of my way to get my hair cut there. I don't think it will be around much longer, since the man who owns it will also retire and I doubt it will stay open when he does. I dread the day I have to go to one of those chain hair cutting places with the annoying music and people. Having to explain how I want my hair cut.

On the bright side I thought I would be bald by now but I still have all my hair.