Turkish Barbers...a Survivors Story.

[mikey4444]

I can honestly say that I have never had such a good and close haircut and shave in my 62 years !

I thought that it would be an old-style cut-throat razor, which you stropped on a leather strap. Instead he put three brand new blades in his. The hot towels, before the shave and after the shave were wonderful...very warm and soothing and fragrantly scented. The haircut was a trifle shorter than I normally have but no matter. I could have had tramlines cut into the side, which a teenager was having in the next chair but I thought it wouldn't be so boss-looking on someone of my advanced age.

The barber was from Kurdistan and didn't speak much English, which is fine with me as I have no desire to talk about football for 35 mins. He managed
"Eeeez OK sir ? " a few times and that was it. All this only cost £8:00 which is £2:00 less than I normally pay the barber in my village. This Kurdish chap seemed genuinely pleased with his £2:00 tip and there were a few more "Eeeez OK Sir !" as I left.

Well worth the efforts and no blood whatsoever was spilt ! I have checked in the mirror and both ears are still in the same place as earlier this morning.

If the AB Chaps want to try it, I can heartedly recommend it ...us chaps need pampering a bit now and then, as well as the Memsahibs.

[andy-hughes]

I can beat that mikey!

Having cast around the town for a decent wet shave - the last barber that did them cost £9:00 a go, and he has gone out of business - that may be a reason, I don't know.

So I was advised to try one of the Asian barbers that are situated in the Asian quarter of the city - the area starts ten minutes walk away from where i work.

I wandered down to the first one, and tooka seat in the chair.

I got - a full face massage, application of cream, around five minutes of lathering, one of the closest cuthroat shaves I have ever had - incluidng Turish barbers in Turish back streets - water spray and towel dry, another extensive full face massge, some cream massaged in throughly, and some very nice cologne.

The whole experience took nearly half an hour - the cost was £3.50!

[mikey4444]

That is truly remarkable Andy ! Although goodness knows what the staff get paid at those rates.

[tamborine]

£3.50 for 30mins....how does he pay rent, or was it done under a tree

[andy-hughes]

Mikey and Tambo - he's a 'one man band' and he opens from 09:00 - 19:00 six days a week - he has Mondays off.

It was done in a small shop which is in the immigrant / student area of the city so the rates and rent will not be high.

But even so, I fail to see how he makes a living at those prices!

[anneasquith]

andy. I think he '' liked '' you !!!!!!!

[Buenchico]

What? Posts about Turkish barbers and no mention of flames? Whenever I go to a Turkish barbers he always gets out his 'wand', lights the end of it and repeatedly brushes it rapidly across the areas where he's just removed my sideburns from. The first time I saw him 'lighting up' I got rather worried about what he was planning to do to me!

[sandyRoe]

I haven't been near a barbers since I saw a film about Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett.

[BlackadderV]

I remember when all barbers used to do that. On the price list there would be the item: Singe 6d.

[Sqad]

Now it is "singh" 3p.^^^

[penelope2]

Agree with everything said above. Visit Turkey twice a year and always have the 'full works'. Also when visit my daughters in Essex I head straight for the local Turkish barbers for a dual cost of £12.00.

[BlackadderV]

There's one just opened in my town. Looks very salubrious. Must check out his prices. Currently I pay £5 as an OAP.

[BlackadderV]

The only snag is that the shop is called Muzzy's!

[mikey4444]

Mine was called Kings Barbers. My only disappointment today was the music being played on the sound system. I was expecting some of Sabah's music to be playing, especially as she recently passed away. Today it was the ghastly Radio One.

[penelope2]

The one i go to is call Efes, pity they dont sell the stuff.

[BlackadderV]

Barber: How would you like your hair cut ,sir?
Enoch Powell: In silence.

[andy-hughes]

Buenchicho - "What? Posts about Turkish barbers and no mention of flames? Whenever I go to a Turkish barbers he always gets out his 'wand', lights the end of it and repeatedly brushes it rapidly across the areas where he's just removed my sideburns from."

That is where the Turkish barbers score over my Asian friend - they do the 'singe' bit around any areas of the ears that grow hair on men of (ahem!) a certain age, or which of course i am one.

[Hopkirk]

All this fuss over a shave?

It will have grown again tomorrow.

[BlackadderV]

Very true, Hopkirk.

[mikey4444]

Andy...fortunately my ears are as smooth as the proverbial babies bottom, so no naked flames were required.

Hopkirk...I can assure that it will be at least Monday before I need to shave again, and probably 2015 before I need another haircut !

[Canary42]

There's a Turkish Barber opened recently in my local town. This thread tempts me to try it for my next haircut (not a shave, I have a beard).