BARBERSHOP, LENINGRAD, 1950-1991


In Leningrad all barbershops were government (cooperative) owned. They worked from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The price for each kind of service was constant and low. The price of each service was posted on the wall. Each barbershop consisted of a men and women's salon. Between them there was a waiting room where the cashier was located. All the time, we had a long waiting line there. There worked 5 men's and 5 women's barbers or more. Women could get a 6 months permanent, hairdo manicure, etc. Before the 1960's, the men had a shave and hair cut there. Later there appeared the razor blade and men went to the barbershop only for a hair cut. (Men's haircut cost less than one ruble.)

All the time at the end of the service with client, the barber suggested applying cologne. That service cost an additional half of the cost of the hair cut. Many people refused to do that. In recent times, especially women could make an appointment for visiting the hair dressed, but the line did not become shorter for those without an appointment. (In that situation, barbers could illegally serve some persons).

Each barber prepared an invoice where he wrote each job performed for each client. He gave it to the client, and the client went to the cashier and paid the price for his job. Some clients gave the barber an illegal tip. (That was forbidden.)

One woman told me, "When I worked as a Barbershop master I received 15-20%of all the income. Hair dressing cost 1.50rubles; other jobs 20-50 kopecks. Masters had to work very hard, and earned only 40-100 rubles in a month.

In Boston I was surprised by the high price for cutting hair ($10-15) for a man. However, I can call many Russian retired immigrant barbers and they will drive to me to cut my hair for only $5. But that is also a high price. I did not know how a barbershop is organized in America, I never was there. I saw through the window nice equipment in an empty room in the barbershop. That barbershop makes a very nice appearance on the street, but there were no customers.

My wife always cuts my hair herself. (I have been in America nearly 10 years.)

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