For Word of The Day Challenge: BARBER SHOP

Did you know that the ancient Egyptians and the Greeks and Romans had Barber Shops and that these Barber shops were  community centers where business and politics were discussed and barbers were considered highly skilled craftsmen? It’s true. Have you ever looked at a mummy? Their hair was styled to perfection in death.

Then we get to the Medieval Period and some barber, somewhere decided he could up sell by performing tooth extractions, minor surgeries and blood letting. I think alcohol and a ‘why the hell not’ attitude may have played a part in that particular business plan.

Things at Barber shops got back on track and one of the most notable examples- though it wasn’t a barber shop, was a salon owned my Marie Laveau.Marie Laveau, was the famous Voodoo Queen owned and operated her own beauty parlor that catered to the wealthy families of New Orleans.

In her position as a hairdresser to the wealthy, Marie came across all sorts of information from her clients and being among a lot of other things Marie was a skilled at politics and used that information to her advantage.

Photo: A.M. Moscoso

Barber shops, beauty salons- if you look at these places closely and you take your time you’re bound to learn more  about people then how to curl your hair or trim your beard.