I know this might sound a little silly and selfish, but I miss my barber.   He died last November while waiting for a liver transplant.   For almost 28 years I had seen the same barber, and outside of my family, that's the longest continuous relationship I've ever had.  I was 10 the first time I sat in his chair, and after I got my drivers license, off to get a hair cut was the first place I went. Whether I had an appoitment or not, he always took care of me...on my graduations, my first job interview,  & my wedding day.  He even gave my two boys their first cuts.  
I watched his family grow up, too,  through pictures posted to his mirror.  He even attended some of my college ball games, as I later found out from his kids at his funeral last year. I never knew. He gave me advise when I had marrital problems. He told me to look into the mirror, "have you ever noticed you have twice as many ears as you do mouths," he said, when you're with your wife, try listening twice as much as you talk."  He also told me to never discount a womens feeling regardless of what I may think...they are hers and she is entitled to them.

I never really properly thanked him. Oh, I thanked him for the hair cuts and all, but I never really thanked him.  So now I going to thank everyone else who ever took the time to help improve us, and especially to those who in the process left a little part of themselves with us so we look back and smile.  Thanks!!

But I still my my barber...I miss the man.

She prefers stylist to barber, but they do the same job.  I've been with her for about 15 years.  I call her Dr. ____ since I bring to her personal problems in life with family / work and ask her for advice.  I think she likes that I ask.  

She's a bit quirky.  You MUST be on time.  She says I'm too conservative.  But she's a great haircut, and I'd hate to find someone else.

I have told myself the same thing but tend to forget until something tragic happens and then I tell myself the same thing again.  I guess the cop out is that I have just been so busy.  I guess thats what the majority of my friends always say.  Well thanks for your thoughts and the reminder.  Bless you all and take care.  Oh, Thank you.


                                                                                                jams      

An unusual message but very pertinent to me.  My barber is approaching 80 years old this year and only works two days a week.  My travel schedule doesn't always allow me to see him on his working days but I try.

This man has given me the best haircuts I have ever had in my life.  However, I go back to him for most of the things you have mentioned.  I look at him as a second father.  He always shares stories of his family and always asks me about mine.  The funny thing is that he has a rough exterior to some but really has a heart of gold if you get to know him.  

I know that my time with him cutting my hair is short.  I have been going to him for 15 years and I know that I will be deeply saddened when he is gone.  Your post is encouragement to tell him how much he means to me.

My barber is about my age (mid 50's) so his passing isn't much more on my mind than my own.  However your tale really brought to the forefront what a relationship I have with him.  He even confided in me when he went to a high school reunion out of state and ended up bedding his first girl friend.

I think I know how you feel.

My barber, Alfredo, passed away a few months ago. I never really cared about where i got my hair cut until I sat in his chair. Until reading this thread I didn't really know why I refused to go anywhere else but to him for a trim.

He was an Italian immigrant and had a tremendous work ethic. He paid attention to detail for each and every guy that sat in his chair, something you'd never find in today's franchises.  After each cut he'd give you a 1 minute shoulder massage with this gizmo that would just make the days stress flow right out of you.

It was nice to see someone take pride in his work, and to enjoy the feeling of going into your neighborhood "mom and pop" type store where you were recognized by first name and could easily tell you were valued as a customer and a person. My local drug store is now a big CVS, my local bank is now a large chain, my favorite local eatery is now an Olive Garden, and I am sad to say that Alfredo's Barbershop will most likely be a franchise salon soon. What a shame.

I've had three of them.  My first one who my dad took me to because that was his.  Then my sister started cutting my hair when she went to school for it.  After she got married and stopped cutting my hair, I searched high and low to find a good one never realizing how taking for granted this was.  Finally, I found the girl who currently cuts my hair for the last 10 years.  She does a great job, is friendly, personable and gives me sound advice about my hair and other life topics. And if I wasn't so stubborn sometimes, I could have dated her very sweet and hot co-worker.

I can relate to how a barber provides a personalized type of service, just like the ladies do here.

And she us a counselor to all her clients, the only problem is that she brings all their problems home with her and has a hard time sleeping because she cant fix their problems!!!!

Your post and your feelings are dead on jay. I really didn't realize it until after i read the post and sat here thinking about it for awhile. Then i realized that the same man has been cutting my hair(what's left of it anyway) since approx. 1976.

He knows most of my family, and actually does my mother's hair too. His son, who also is a barber, and i are only a couple years apart and went to school together.

It's amazing that when i stop to think about it, the barber is the one place i can think of where nothing is taboo. Anything can be discussed, bar none. You can say what you think and feel without fear of reprisal. And it always seems that no matter what the subject, he always knows something about it. Maybe not a whole bunch, but at least alittle. He is a man that passes no judgement, but is willing to give advice and try to steer you in the right direction. He is someone i can tell the dirty jokes to and in the next breath talk about the deepest, closest things to my heart and soul.

He is more then my barber.....he is my friend. I think i better tell him that next time i see him.

Thanks for all the good comments.  I was half expecting people to tell me to get a over it and get a life!  But it's nice to hear others who appreciate the same.  The barber shop is mans last bastion and it's too bad our "fast pace, hurry up, give me as much as you can for as little as possible" lifesyle is leaving it behind.  Every once in a while it's great to pay for a little extra value, and take your time to enjoy, whether for a hair cut or a little something else.