BOAA: Best Barber: Arcade Barber
I am surprised I have made it this far in life with the laughable lack of common sense and street smarts I display at times. (It recently came to me the other day that deodorant is aptly named because it gets rid of odor and is not some jumble of letters someone randomly put together). Haircuts are quite nerve-wracking experiences for this reason, and the first time I sought the services of Arcade Barbers, I messed up. Thinking I knew what I was doing, I gave my barber a random blade size that was often floated around whenever I got my hair cut at home. I walked out of there with my sides so short I should’ve been wearing fatigues.
This anecdote is yet another testament to my incompetence, but it does not undercut the professional skill with which Arcade Barbers operates. They cut my hair so short because I mistakenly asked for it, not because they didn’t know what they were doing. And that speaks to the barbershop as a whole; no nonsense, down to earth and proficient with razor and blade.
The second time I patronized Arcade Barbers, I stopped pretending like I knew what I was doing and let the barber take control. As he worked his magic, I immersed myself in both the cushy chair and the animated atmosphere. The square layout of establishment means every patron can witness fellow ragged mops transform into fresh fades, all while the barbers throw quips diagonally at their coworkers. This highlight of the Nickels Arcade is a wonderful escape from daily monotony where customer and craftsman are equal.
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