The London Lounge

I'm being taken away by Mrs Charles for my birthday soon to Milan then Venice. Looks like it would be a crime not to take a chance on Antica Barbieria Colla ( www.anticabarbieriacolla.it ) while in Milan . I could research phrases to use but it might be more fun to just say the Italian equivalent of " whatever" to the lucky barber. A sort of barbershop Russian Roulette. Speaking of which, if you had to be gunned down -Mafia Style -while seated in the Barber's chair (as so often happens) then this would be an ideal setting. Anybody been there ??

Have fun, Charles! Not an easy job, but I recommend you also try to track back Franco Lorenzi of G.Lorenzi. The shop closed last February after 85 years of activity. I visited it years ago and Franco guided me through his collection of vintage safety razors, thought to be the largest in the world with more than 3500 pieces. The collection included few straight razors of exceptional quality and extreme rarity, the reason why I was there. They spanned centuries of history, with some ancient pieces the owner purchased in London. I remember Mr. Franco's big smile, partially concealed by his white full-beard, when he showed me a rusty blade from the 1600's, coming from the bed of the Thames.

I didn't go in .. I was unimpressed by the look of the place , though I'm sure its very good. Their tubs of shaving cream appear to cost about 3 times as much as (say) Trumpers. On one of the photos on their website there's a bottle of Trumper's Coral Skinfood visible. Loud harrumphing from me and I used my time more profitably. Disappointed though.

Well, to each his own, but I'm guessing you made the right decision. As much as I (think) I value quality there's a point beyond which "fancy" (as people say in the Midwest) just becomes pointless extravagance. At the risk of sounding like a middle-aged curmudgeon (which, essentially, I am) it seems extraordinary that we have come to a state of things where something as mundane as getting a good shave in Italy is some sort of "experience" priced at oligarch levels.

Throughout the Mediterranean, men have been going for a shave at a barber forever.
In the Near/Middle East, it is very common. And very inexpensive.

So much in the West- much of what we might consider components of gentlemenly arts: tailoring, barbering, drinking, dining, clubbing, carousing and generally living a dissolute public life, have become so exorbitant as to be prohibitive. It is a shame.

I remember going to Truefitt & Hill, London, for a shave some years ago. I had an important occasion ahead the next day in London and wanted my face to look baby ass plump, hairless and clean. For whatever reason. Who knows. Call me stupid.

What a mistake.

The barber did the absolutely most horrible shave I have ever had. My face was raw for 1 week after. I developed the worst case of shaving rash ever. He missed wide swathes of my facial hair and they remained after the shave - perhaps 1/4 inch of beard remained here and there (until I corrected the situation with my Gillette disposable). My mustache was effectively lopped in half. (But who really needs a whole mustache?)

I couldn't repair the damage in time for my appointment. What a disaster. I should have sued. I'm guessing that I paid 50 Pounds for the privilege.

Yet, I enjoyed the experience: the steaming towels wrapped around my face, the unquent lotions, the decor and soothing 30 minute pampering at the hands of a storied St. James barber with just the right touch of the English Raj to tickle my reptilian brain.

Who the hell wouldn't pay 50- quid for that experience, results be damned!
Who can resist the siren call of London's gentlemen's experience...?

The meeting was a success.

uppercase wrote:
The meeting was a success.

Dear Uppercase,

this is all what counts, no? And you have a great story to tell

Cheers, David

Luca wrote: it seems extraordinary that we have come to a state of things where something as mundane as getting a good shave in Italy is some sort of "experience" priced at oligarch levels.

I think this has to do, among other few things, with the fact that shaving at a barber shop -almost like bespoke tailoring- is one of those businesses whose productivity has not gone up in the last 300 years (or probably more).

I agree with your economic analysis. Another term in that equation (which helps explain the relative priciness of many manual crafts and even less exalted jobs) is the social susbidiy of underemployment that began in the 20th century, artificially reducing the supply of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour and favouring labour substitution by capital inputs, thus making innately labour-intensive products comparatively expensive.