And now, some deep thoughts from our viking Scandinavian intern.
Hello! My name is Jorn, and I just arrived in San Francisco from Norway a couple weeks back. This is my first trip to America, so I guess you can say I am VERY fresh off the boat (even though my ancestors were probably the first Europeans to set foot here!). After spending some time settling down, I am now ready to embark on my first and most important mission since arriving: Getting a haircut.
Keeping it classic
Nowadays, many men don’t go to the barber, they just get their hair cut at a unisex salon. But as I start my marketing internship, I’ve got Don Draper on my mind. Can you imagine Don going to a unisex salon? Neither can I. So, I set out to find the perfect barbershop to carry out my grooming needs.
I did some quick research on the topic (hey, I am the intern). The history of barbershops is actually quite interesting. Barbers were very popular between the 1880s and 1940s, as many men visited the shop once a day. More than just a place to get your haircut and beard shaved, barbershops were sort of like a daily getaway for men, a place where they could socialize and unwind.
However, with Gillette’s introduction of a safety razor in 1904, barbers lost a lot of customers and consumer behavior changed quite a bit. Going to the barber went from being a regular activity to an occasional treat (by the way – maybe there was a good reason for the invention of the safety razor; back in the day, it seems as though straight edge razors could be a little hazardous to your health).
But we Norwegians are a fearless race, and I was set on finding that old-time barbershop experience, Don Draper-style!
Finding a barber in lands unknown
As it turns out, finding the perfect barber in an unfamiliar country is not such an easy task. I looked at several websites for help. A blog called the Art of Manliness just advised me to ask my fellow male coworkers with good haircuts where they go. But alas, nobody who I asked could recommend a traditional barber for me.
I didn’t want to just go anywhere since this is someone who will soon be dragging a sharp razor up and down my neck, so I did a search on MyTime and it recommended Details Barbershop and Grooming Lounge. Now this is a place that really speaks my language (no, not Norwegian)! Here’s what the owner wrote on his MyTime page: We believe that fine grooming is more than a sense of style, an aesthetic, or an ideology, it’s “swagger.” Don Draper couldn’t have said it better himself. But don’t take my word for it, check out all the five star reviews from MyTime and Yelp on his profile!
The bottom line
If you’re looking for an awesome barber as well, here are some Barbers in your area that you can book through MyTime. And I may be biased, but if you’re looking for the easiest way to book appointments, download the MyTime app and book all your appointments online. I bet my viking ancestors wished they had this app when THEY landed in the New World too!
