Capillotomy

[poliphilo]

We cut Fabi's hair yesterday. I say "we", but I chickened out because he was screaming and wriggling so much it seemed like child abuse. Odi and Ailz persevered. They were remorseless. Women are.

I loathed having my hair cut when I was a kid (still do, actually). I remember being taken to the barbers when I was a cocky eight year old and giving my little sister- who was watching- a running commentary about how much it hurt. (Of course it didn't). The barber must have hated me.

Ailz says she once had her hair cut by Vidal Sassoon, who- implausibly- began his great career in Stockport. He- or his assistant- gave her a Bowie cut.

In the future Dystopia of H.G. Wells's The Sleeper Awakes, hairdressers- known as capillotomists- are regarded as artists. Like many of the book's predictions this one's not too far off the mark, I think. 

Comments

[kishenehn.livejournal.com]

I always loved getting a haircut when I was a little kid ... my dad would take me to the barber shop that he went to, and it made me feel like a grown-up man.

Nowadays, though, getting a haircut is just a pain in the butt. :)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

For a long time now I've had my hair cut at home. A brief going over with a electric razor and the job's done.

I have a certain sneaking affection for the old time barber's shop. Those places had atmosphere.