Finding That Old School Spot
Okay, so my hair was getting way out of hand the other week. You know how it gets, looking more like a mop than anything else. I was driving around, actually running some errands near Tipton, and it hit me – I needed a cut, like, yesterday. I wasn’t after anything fancy, just a straightforward, no-nonsense trim. Remembered seeing this place, just called “Tipton Barber Shop”, tucked away on a side street. Looked proper old school, the kind of place my dad used to go.
So, I decided right then, pulled over and parked down the block. Walked up to the door. It had that classic striped pole, a bit faded but still turning. Pushed the door open, and yeah, just like I thought. Smelled like talcum powder and maybe some old aftershave. Only one barber working, an older fella, and one guy ahead of me reading a newspaper. No appointments, no fancy booking apps, just walk in and wait your turn. Exactly what I was looking for.
Getting Down to Business
Didn’t take too long to wait. The guy ahead of me finished up, paid cash, and headed out. The barber, maybe named Frank or George, I dunno, wiped down the chair with a cloth. Gestured me over with a nod. Sat down in that big, heavy chair – they don’t make ’em like that anymore. He threw the cape around me, snapped it shut at the back.
“What’ll it be?” he asked. Simple as that.
“Just clean it up,” I said. “Short on the sides, take a little off the top. Keep it neat.”
He nodded again, didn’t say much else. Just picked up his clippers and got to work. That familiar buzz started right by my ear. He worked his way around, quick and efficient. Didn’t fuss about. You could tell he’d done this a million times. Here’s kinda how it went:
- Started with the clippers on the sides and back.
- Switched to scissors for the top, wetting it down first with a spray bottle.
- Asked if the length looked okay – gave a quick check in the mirror.
- Finished off with the trimmer around the edges, nice and clean.
- Got out the hot lather and the straight razor for the back of the neck. Always appreciate that touch.
The whole thing probably took 15, maybe 20 minutes tops. No idle chit-chat unless I started it, just focused on the cut. He brushed the loose hairs off my neck and shoulders, took the cape off with a flourish.
All Done
Stood up, looked in the mirror. Yep, job done. Exactly what I asked for. Simple, clean, neat. Felt so much better. Pulled out my wallet, asked him how much. He told me the price – way cheaper than those fancy salons downtown. Paid him, added a tip because good, honest work deserves it.
Walked back out onto the street, feeling lighter. It wasn’t a spa day, wasn’t trendy, but it was a proper haircut from a guy who knew his trade. That Tipton Barber Shop, it’s a solid spot. Sometimes you just need the basics done right, you know? No fuss, no frills. Just a good, old-fashioned haircut.