6 ms·

i'll sound like a luddite here, but i hope this never really gets to the point of replacing barbers and especially barber shops. barber shops are pretty unique

i'll sound like a luddite here, but i hope this never really gets to the point of replacing barbers and especially barber shops. barber shops are pretty unique places in that people are really chatty, and it doesn't really matter if you're e.g. a banker or fast food worker, you're still a part of the little community. it's cool to connect with people from all statuses and people tend to be really open, loose, good energy, plus you see the same characters all the time, so it's a mini community. yeah, it's pretty expensive but i personally enjoy that routine/non automated part of my life.

bitwize 7y ago
In the universe of The Stars My Destination, in which all humans have the power to instantaneously teleport ("jaunte"), land vehicles become a symbol of money, power, and status. The same will become true of human barbers in a world where home robots provide perfect haircuts for the cost of energy and upkeep: those with disposable income seeking a personalized, artisanal, handcrafted experience will frequent a barbershop while most of the hoi polloi will take advantage of the robots.
bigyikes 7y ago
Interesting. I would pay extra to not have to chat.
rubicon33 7y ago
Are you describing what you see in movies, or the reality for you? I pop into a supercuts and I'm out in less than 15 minutes. Minimal chatting.
- dfsegoat 7y ago
  He is describing an "old school" barber shop experience where the proprietors are actual barbers. Not like supercuts, Floyd's, etc. Those aren't actual barbers - they are cosmetologists [1]. More info on the barbershop experience / history here: https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/rediscovering-the-barbershop/ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/rediscovering-the-ba... 1 - https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/ https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/
  - aphextim 7y ago
    We have a small barber shop here. They have beer on tap, a few dogs running around that are friendly and help distract kids. Amazing service, always friendly fast cuts/shaves. Another nice aspect is you could be sitting in there with a lawyer, police officer, doctor, custodian and no one cares about your job/social status. The guys just wanna unwind after a long day of work, drink a few beers and talk about the latest in hunting/fishing/camping.
- maximente 7y ago
  this is the reality for me. it's not a chain or anything, just a cash only barber shop in the city.
reificator 7y ago
I'll talk because that's the expectation, but I would absolutely pay an additional fee for silence.
- Timpy 7y ago
  I wish there was a socially acceptable way to negotiate this. I just want the same comfortable silence you get from a massage.
  - JustSomeNobody 7y ago
    > I wish there was a socially acceptable way to negotiate this. Just ask, "Do you mind if I just chill here with my eyes closed while you cut?" If they get offended, find another barber.
  - asteli 7y ago
    If you sort of just chill there and don't engage substantively with the barber's conversation, they should pick up on it.
  - sbr464 7y ago
    I’ve thought the same with dentists. I’ve thought about it in the past, maybe a preferences file that spans different categories/topics that you can share sections of with people or companies when applicable. Marketers and privacy issues kind of ruin that idea though.
dopeboy 7y ago
Totally agree, maximente. If you go in to get a cut for the experience, you're not our target customer (which is totally OK). SportsClips has centered this business around creating a fun experience (drink a beer, watch the game, get a cut). Our prime demographic are working professional men who care about convenience, speed, and cost. Think standard management consultant who's pressed for time, needs to look good for client meetings, and would pay for a quick touch up.
- sokoloff 7y ago
  If you care about convenience, speed, and cost, and have a hairstyle that is clipper friendly, buy a clipper (~$75) and a set of clipper combs (~$10) and cut your own hair at home in 5 minutes or so anytime you want. I clip #3 sides and back and #6 on top. Anything the clipper can reach is intended to be cut. I have often given myself a quick touch up before a presentation, business trip, or important meeting, so that part is a genuine value prop, but this solution seems a bit like building a robotic sledgehammer in order to swat flies.
  - saltminer 7y ago
    Most people do not have the skill to do anything beyond a buzz cut and don't want to risk messing things up to practice. Plus, if I want to try something new, it doesn't matter how well I can maintain my current style.
  - magduf 7y ago
    Holy crap, where are you getting your clipper? You can get a perfectly nice Wahl clipping kit for $20, which comes with the clipper and the color-coded comb attachments, and scissors and some instructions, and a convenient carrying case. Amazingly, it's even made in the USA if you care about that.
    - sokoloff 7y ago
      I bought mine (Oster brand) many years ago on Amazon. I have to agree that the Wahl's kit you're talking about (Amazon ASIN B000JNQSIQ) looks like an excellent deal.
magduf 7y ago
I'm sure it'll never replace barber shops for people like you who really want some dude putting his hands on your head. Personally, I cut my own hair, and would welcome a robot that can do it cheaply and more consistently than I can myself, and wouldn't require me to waste time going to a shop and then dealing with the human part that I really don't care for.
jriot 7y ago
Exactly! Barbershops are a unique place and great to spend an hour or an hour and half once a month chatting with everyone. Plus a proper haircut with a straight razor around the edges and neck, followed up by a cool/warm towel to clean everything off, and after-shave applied. Its $33 for that with a solid beard trim; mine is at 3-4" and he keeps it looking nice.
aerovistae 7y ago
Maybe he can program the device to make small-talk while it works.

bitwize 7y ago

In the universe of The Stars My Destination, in which all humans have the power to instantaneously teleport ("jaunte"), land vehicles become a symbol of money, power, and status. The same will become true of human barbers in a world where home robots provide perfect haircuts for the cost of energy and upkeep: those with disposable income seeking a personalized, artisanal, handcrafted experience will frequent a barbershop while most of the hoi polloi will take advantage of the robots.

bigyikes 7y ago

Interesting. I would pay extra to not have to chat.

rubicon33 7y ago

Are you describing what you see in movies, or the reality for you? I pop into a supercuts and I'm out in less than 15 minutes. Minimal chatting.

dfsegoat 7y ago
He is describing an "old school" barber shop experience where the proprietors are actual barbers. Not like supercuts, Floyd's, etc. Those aren't actual barbers - they are cosmetologists [1]. More info on the barbershop experience / history here: https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/rediscovering-the-barbershop/ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/rediscovering-the-ba... 1 - https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/ https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/
- aphextim 7y ago
  We have a small barber shop here. They have beer on tap, a few dogs running around that are friendly and help distract kids. Amazing service, always friendly fast cuts/shaves. Another nice aspect is you could be sitting in there with a lawyer, police officer, doctor, custodian and no one cares about your job/social status. The guys just wanna unwind after a long day of work, drink a few beers and talk about the latest in hunting/fishing/camping.
maximente 7y ago
this is the reality for me. it's not a chain or anything, just a cash only barber shop in the city.

reificator 7y ago

I'll talk because that's the expectation, but I would absolutely pay an additional fee for silence.

Timpy 7y ago
I wish there was a socially acceptable way to negotiate this. I just want the same comfortable silence you get from a massage.
- JustSomeNobody 7y ago
  > I wish there was a socially acceptable way to negotiate this. Just ask, "Do you mind if I just chill here with my eyes closed while you cut?" If they get offended, find another barber.
- asteli 7y ago
  If you sort of just chill there and don't engage substantively with the barber's conversation, they should pick up on it.
- sbr464 7y ago
  I’ve thought the same with dentists. I’ve thought about it in the past, maybe a preferences file that spans different categories/topics that you can share sections of with people or companies when applicable. Marketers and privacy issues kind of ruin that idea though.

dopeboy 7y ago

Totally agree, maximente. If you go in to get a cut for the experience, you're not our target customer (which is totally OK). SportsClips has centered this business around creating a fun experience (drink a beer, watch the game, get a cut). Our prime demographic are working professional men who care about convenience, speed, and cost. Think standard management consultant who's pressed for time, needs to look good for client meetings, and would pay for a quick touch up.

sokoloff 7y ago
If you care about convenience, speed, and cost, and have a hairstyle that is clipper friendly, buy a clipper (~$75) and a set of clipper combs (~$10) and cut your own hair at home in 5 minutes or so anytime you want. I clip #3 sides and back and #6 on top. Anything the clipper can reach is intended to be cut. I have often given myself a quick touch up before a presentation, business trip, or important meeting, so that part is a genuine value prop, but this solution seems a bit like building a robotic sledgehammer in order to swat flies.
- saltminer 7y ago
  Most people do not have the skill to do anything beyond a buzz cut and don't want to risk messing things up to practice. Plus, if I want to try something new, it doesn't matter how well I can maintain my current style.
- magduf 7y ago
  Holy crap, where are you getting your clipper? You can get a perfectly nice Wahl clipping kit for $20, which comes with the clipper and the color-coded comb attachments, and scissors and some instructions, and a convenient carrying case. Amazingly, it's even made in the USA if you care about that.
  - sokoloff 7y ago
    I bought mine (Oster brand) many years ago on Amazon. I have to agree that the Wahl's kit you're talking about (Amazon ASIN B000JNQSIQ) looks like an excellent deal.

magduf 7y ago

I'm sure it'll never replace barber shops for people like you who really want some dude putting his hands on your head. Personally, I cut my own hair, and would welcome a robot that can do it cheaply and more consistently than I can myself, and wouldn't require me to waste time going to a shop and then dealing with the human part that I really don't care for.

jriot 7y ago

Exactly! Barbershops are a unique place and great to spend an hour or an hour and half once a month chatting with everyone. Plus a proper haircut with a straight razor around the edges and neck, followed up by a cool/warm towel to clean everything off, and after-shave applied. Its $33 for that with a solid beard trim; mine is at 3-4" and he keeps it looking nice.

aerovistae 7y ago

Maybe he can program the device to make small-talk while it works.