Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Hair Cutting Episode

There is lot a of confusion during this corona virus pandemic,  The California State Government is changing the rules on a daily basis.  For example, they allowed restaurants to have patio seating and all of a sudden stopped it without any notice.

Something interesting happened yesterday when I went for cutting my hair.  For many years I go for my hair cut with a national franchise.  There are a few advantages.  They have your details including what type of hair cut you want and which numbered machine they should use on you.  This is useful no matter which city you go to.  Give your phone number and they have the whole hair cutting history about you.  They would even say "Sir, this is your 10th hair cut and therefore it is free" or "Sir, you are our 50th customer today and therefore it is free".

I looked in the Google and there are 5 national franchise branches in my area.  4 of them were closed. 1 mentioned it is open from 9 am to 6 pm and will not accept online check-in.  I went there and it was closed.  There was no one in that salon.  I checked the next door food deli and he said the orders came this morning to close the hair cutting salons.

I came home.  A friend called me for a different purpose.  I told him what happened.  He gave the name of a non-franchise independently owned barber shop and said they are open. 

This time I wanted to make sure they are open.  Therefore, I called them.  A Vietnamese girl answered.  She said they are open but it is by appointment only. I asked her to give me an appointment right now.  It was 2:30 PM.    She said she could give me an appointment at 4:30 pm.  I agreed.  I went to that shop at 4:30 pm.  It was locked.   I called and she answered.  She asked me to come to the back alley door. I go to the backside and she opened the door to let me in.

I was wondering why she asked me to come thru the backdoor. Is she doing her business illegally when the Government has asked every hair cutting place to close?  Or, she never got the message?  I still don't know.

She did an excellent job, better than the national franchise.  With my receding hairline, national franchise salons take only about 8 minutes to fix my hair.  This girl took 20 minutes.

End of story.

16 comments:

  1. Definitely trying to be afloat during these tough times by hook or by crook. My heart goes out to these small businesses....hope she gave you a good haircut.....

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    1. Thanks for your comments Dee. Yes, she gave me a good haircut. Very thorough and took 200 minutes.

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  2. We have to struggle this much for a hair cut. All credit goes to Corona and the government's decisions on daily basis

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    1. Thanks for your comments Gowri. I wish the authorities are little more intelligent.

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  3. Vietnamese girl said come to the back door?
    Sounds familiar.

    Regards,
    Robert Kraft

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    1. Thanks for your comments Robert. I know you are a billionaire and CEO of Kraft Group. You also have a wife and an additional partner. At this age you may be capable of doing things. For your money, lot of girls will come to you no matter what your age is. But looking for a prostitute? Looks like you do not have class.

      I am very happy your football team, New England Patriots, suck this year.

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  4. I think it's been 9 months since i visited a saloon. Somehow am able to manage it in-house. This makes me realize how much of DIY we are capable of! Need to explore more :)

    Destination Infinity

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    1. Thanks for your comments Rajesh. DIY is the best policy during this pandemic time.

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  5. As Dee rightly pointed out these restrictions on small businesses though justified on health considerations, cause much financial hardship.
    While I am happy you got a highly satisfactory cut, I felt you took some risk especially when such saloons are required to be closed.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Mr. KP. I think there is no risk for me. The risk is for the salon owner, me think.

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  6. Anyway you could get your hair cut and it was a job if only 20 minutes. She might have chosen illegal way to continue her job because survival needs money for food and all. Nice topic.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Sarala. Yes, small business owners are suffering all over the world.

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  7. A good anecdote! :-) True, world over, small businesses have taken the severest hit during this year.

    As far as my haircut goes, since February I have not been to a salon. I have been cutting hair myself, rather than getting it cut. I never knew I could do it. Since I like a close crop, it's not as difficult as I originally thought. Doesn't have the professional finish, but not bad either. Now with virus cases dropping steadily, I will have it cut rather cut it myself.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Pradeep. DIY is the best policy during this pandemic time.

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