I just want a quick trim really, nothing special, nothing fancy. And I need to get in and out quickly. But the two young barbers are not going to let me off so easily. "Sir, will you have a shave?" asks one of the young men, pointing to my untidy stubble. "No. Just a hair-cut thank-you."
The young man looks disappointed.
"Sir, how about hair dyeing. You have much white hair. We will dye your hair. You will look very handsome."
I always enjoy going to the barber in India. I like sitting quietly and people-watching, I like listening to the Hindi pop music that is invariably blaring from a TV or radio in the corner, I like that the barber will often offer to order you a cup of chai, and I also enjoy the brief head massage that every Indian barber will perform to conclude the cut.
Today though I am having second thoughts. Admittedly I may be looking a little weary this morning; perhaps I stayed out a little too late at a friend's party. But I was not expecting such a thorough examination at this early hour by the man wielding the scissors and comb. I stand firm. No shave, no dyeing. Not today. The young man and his colleague are not at all perturbed.
"Sir, your face is very hard," says one of them. "I think you are needing a face massage. That will make your face very nice and soft."
My tough, hard, unshaven face cannot help but break into a smile as the barber finally agrees just to cut my greying hair. When I leave I promise him I'll think about his suggestions and that maybe I'll opt for one of them on the next visit. I also give him a tip. .
'My tough, hard, unshaven face'...Mr Buncombe you must stop believing you are Daniel Craig. I will mail the editor to remind him to add your picture to the byline so we can see how soft your skin is. Colour image please so we can judge whether dye is required.
Posted by: Michael | Wednesday, 03 December 2008 at 09:04 PM
Beautifully written. You captured the voice of the barber and the Indian art of persuasion so well! A Canadian friend of mine recently visited Delhi and was amazed at the persistence of Indian shopkeepers. After constant badgering to buy/try something (holding off until the nth plea) he'd finally cave! I'm glad to see you held your ground :)
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Posted by: Yorkshire's No 1 | Tuesday, 17 February 2009 at 03:46 PM
That's very accommodating but irritating if you're not in good mood. And it's nice of you to give them a tip, maybe next time you'll give in with their suggestions and enjoy it.
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