Every Tuesday Faiz, a barber by profession, comes to the rehabilitation center to cut the hair of internal patients. Once a month he also cuts them to me, never once without admonishing me: «You’re losing them, shave them immediately then special lotion», he shows it to me.
Until 2001, barber shops were typically small and hidden. The mandatory beard and the ban on modern haircuts made the job difficult. DiCaprio’s style in the Titanic movie (super-watched in secret) briefly revived business. He was in great demand, so much so that titanìc became synonymous with the fashionable boy. Not a few created problems with the religious police. When the Taliban left, in an explosion of freedom, many large and bright shops arose, a meeting place for young people and male confidences.
On the way home I pass regularly in front of at least a dozen, all with photos of rich hair, razor sculptures, beards with streaks, highlights. For several days half of them have been closed, the photos detached, replaced by the rented sign. I guess the managers started like many others. The fear that modern cuts will become prohibited again made them decide. Maybe the customers are gone too.
Yesterday Faiz did not threaten the usual baldness. Gloomy, he confessed to the problem that afflicts him. The shop is down and the rent is expensive: change jobs. He has a vegetable trade in mind. During crises, people spend only on food and medicine. Who ever goes to the barber? He is looking for a loan. And there is another problem, the daughter was left by her boyfriend. He left for Iran, will continue to Turkey to get to Europe. “Maybe come back,” I encourage him. “Did he have a job?”, “He was a barber.”
Silly question mine, I should have known. Tradition has it that barbers are a lower caste. In the past they were reserved for menial jobs, such as providing basin and water for guests at meetings and weddings, performing circumcisions, extracting teeth. The reputation has remained and does not allow them to marry girls who are not barbers’ daughters.
Twenty years of good business have not undermined prejudice. “All he does is cry, they had chosen each other, he says he won’t find another like him.” In these bad times the plan to get married was what kept her up, she sighs. I tell him to go to our micro-lending office, at least one problem can be solved.
Today I received three wedding invitations. I congratulate you. The dates of two have been brought forward to leave, they explain to me. Girls want mothers to hug their brides before leaving them. Will they ever see them again?
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