Barber Skills
Everytime I visit Bangalore, one of the pleasures I make sure I don’t miss is visiting a local barber. For someone who’s been getting hair cuts from a barber in the US for many years now, the difference in skills is apparent the moment I slip into the chair. I can only hear the snips, but not feel them. And how much does it cost? 0.80 USD.
Due to the increased awareness of HIV, they seem to be more conscious about using an antiseptic solution and a brand new blade to trim the edges.
Another thing they’re good at is the upper body massage (mostly focussed on the head and neck). No, you don’t have to take your shirt off. A key ingredient is a special oil called “Navaratna”. It’s red in color and makes your skin tingle. They use all the usual massage techniques - the most interesting (and scary to some!) technique is the neck twist until it literally “clicks”. He would be giving you a massage and waits until you’re relaxed enough to attempt the click. You know it’s coming, but he somehow gets the timing right i.e. he does it when you’re expecting it the least. And all of this will set you back by a grand total of $1.60
So don’t miss it the next time you’re in Bangalore or the vicinity. These places usually have a funny name such as “S.V. Gents Beauty Parlor”.