Straight Razor

It appears that one of the few "luxuries" that expats indulge in here is going to the barber and getting a shave. I've been meaning to try it ever since we got here, but I just haven't gotten around to finding a barber shop - until this past weekend, that is.

I actually found three barber shops within walking distance of the apartment - two of which I would actually step foot in! The one I chose was the bigger of the two, and had three chairs, a TV, a clock with a picture of Jesus on it, two neon "shrines" to Ganesha and Shiva, and a sign on the door that said "Gents Only". I knew I was in the right place when I saw a magazine laying on the waiting bench that said "The Ladies of Bollywood", with a small-font sub title that said "Perverse Pleasures". No, it wasn't what you're thinking - unless you're thinking western clothes.

No one said a word in the place. The three barbers were cutting hair and shaving faces in complete silence, and none of the customers were talking either. There were two people in front of me, so I watched the sequence like a hawk to make sure I knew what was going on, and also to try and see what they were paying. There's a tendency here to charge westerners more for the same goods or services, and I like to be in the know.

I never managed to see what money was exchanging hands, so I was at the mercy of the barber. I did see the sequence a few times though: lather, shave, lather, shave, lotion, aftershave, pay.

Pretty simple.

Long story short, it was the best shave I've ever had, and at 25 rupees a pop ($0.50 for you westerners) I won't be touching another safety razor until we leave the country.