One great barbershop in Austin, though recently undergoing changes as some of the old hands have died or moved on. The Sportsman’s even has a red-striped barber pole. I was reminded of how cool it is, and worthy of a post, after reading this lament by John Weidner, who is one of the few good things about San Francisco anymore.
Seems, in too many places, the government, feminism and political correctness have combined to destroy the old timey barbershop. I can believe it. Of course Austin, being the San Francisco of Texas (which is not a compliment), has more than its share of female barbers. But the Sportsman’s is Old School and hanging on. Mr. B. and I go there about once a month. It gives him a taste of what I grew up with in the 50s.
It is, I should add, run by a woman, a Vietnamese-American (one of the attractions for this Vietnam vet) but the otherwise all-male barber shop has not succumbed to the political claptrap of the day and, so far, the state is not requiring them to get junior college degrees to cut hair. They also offer shaves in this day of HIV fears. I especially like the sign on the wall soliciting a wife–if she will first send a good picture of her bass boat and motor. This Web site on them is a trifle dated as to personnel, but the decor remains the same.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 