Monday, September 14, 2015

"Are You at the Shop?"- Sincerely the Annoyed Barber's Wife

Full pockets on the daily, no management team to report to, you make your own schedule, your social life is always in motion and you are seen as the ultimate man’s-man. What’s not to love about being a barber?!

Well let me tell you about the other side of this life. The side of the Barber’s Wife. Hubs has been a barber for a few years now- he grew up in the industry as both his parents are stylists. At first it was great as we had just found out we were expecting our little Zombie and a daily flow of money really helped get us on our feet. But soon I realized there was a lot more baggage than meets the eye.

Let’s start with the clients. Our first argument since he started at the barbershop were the late night calls asking what time he’d be in the next day or whether he could make the trip to their place for a late night cut (No Joke!). Barbers may have a time to go in but they NEVER have a time to close. When he first launched his own barbershop Hubs would stay at the shop until 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Many nights this meant I’d be dining alone or rearranging our date-night plans since by the time he got off we were both exhausted. He of working and I of waiting for him to stop working!

Now I have met my fair share of other Barber’s wife and it isn’t like Basketball wives of Atlanta or anything but it definitely has its drama. Anything from infidelity to financial issues to women who just have nothing better to do than to watch their man cut hair all day- I have seen it all! Barber’s wives are usually quiet, uptight, and suffer from the infinite “B**** Face” syndrome (OK I’ll admit it- This last one includes me!) So the next time you walk into the shop- you should be able to point at least one of them out. You’re welcome.

The pros include the connections. Hubs is an EXPERT networker, he knows just enough people to get us pretty much anywhere! He is also a real people person as he can hold up a conversation with anyone. He considers his customer service just as important as his cutting skills, which I can honestly say sets him apart from so many other Barbers.

AND of course there’s the childcare. When Zombie was months old Hubs had set up a corner of the barbershop with her playpen. The feedback he received was incredible. Men respected and admired him so much more because he was courageous enough to take care of his daughter regardless of his work obligation. He was demonstrating what a modern-day dad COULD do! They learned to love her and now she has an array of “friends” who she’s grown up with and enjoy her company when she’s around.