Finding an “old school” barber shop is is getting harder and harder. Even Gene wants to make it clear that he offers hair styling, too. Barbers have a rigorous training program and the barber pole (see above the PEPSI machine) is said to be the oldest symbol of a trade or craft and it dates back to the BC era. Barbers were known as barber-surgeons and have always been well respected. From the feedback online, Greensboro’s Barber Gene is well respected here. One customer said that Gene can use a straight razor to shave hair down to a zero. Now that’s smooth.

Barber shops are known for being great places to congregate and to share the latest ideas. Barbers need to be able to cut hair, give a clean shave, sharpen a razor with a razor strap, and be a worthy debater. Maybe we should stop Gene’s and learn about a day in the life of a barber. Gene’s is located on Spring Garden Street across from yesterday’s little gray art house.