Barber 146779 224158575 2008-07-07T16:14:30Z 199.43.48.131 {{onesource|article|date= May 2008}} [[Image:Boy meets barber.JPG|right|thumb|A boy visiting a barber.]] {{otheruses}} A '''barber''' (from the [[Latin]] ''barba'', "[[beard]]") is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, give [[shaving|shaves]], and trim [[beard]]s. In previous times, barbers also performed [[surgery]] and [[dentistry]].<ref>[http://www.barberpolesdirect.com/history-of-barber-poles.html "History of Barber Poles"] page of [http://www.barberpolesdirect.com/ Barberpolesdirect.com].</ref> In more recent times, with the development of [[Razor|safety razors]] and the increasing rarity of beards, most barbers primarily cut hair. Therefore, although many may still deal with facial hair when requested, the predominant difference in American and Commonwealth culture is that barbers specialize in the simple cutting of men's hair. They do not generally offer significant styling or 'fancy' haircuts when compared to hairdressers working in hair salons. The place where a barber works is generally called a barbershop, or simply a barber's. Some barbers prefer to see themselves as [[hairdresser]]s or [[hairstylist]]s.There is a common misbelief that barbers do not perform any service other than hair cutting and that [[Beautician|cosmetologists]] perform all coloring and perms but this is untrue. Barbers can cut hair, trim beards, color, perm, provide facials and shave. They are also licensed to work with artificial hair replacement products (toupees, etc). Many working stylists are legally barbers. There is some professional rivalry between barbers and cosmetologists, both of which are licensed and regulated. At one time, both groups were allowed to cut hair, but only barbers were allowed to shave or trim beards: this required mastering the arcane technique of using a [[straight razor]]. == History == [[Image:Bucharest Barbershop 1842.jpg|thumb|right|Barbershop in [[Bucharest]] around 1842. Woodcut. As shown in this image, the barbershop also provides an opportunity for social contacts.]] The barber's trade is an ancient one. Razors have been found among relics of the [[Bronze Age]] (circa 3500 [[Anno Domini|BC]]) in Egypt, and barbering is mentioned in [[the Bible]] by [[Ezekiel]] who said "Now, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber's razor to shave your head and your beard. (5:1 [[NIV]])" Shaving, either of the head or face, was not always a voluntary act, for it has been enforced by [[law]] in [[England]] and elsewhere. Cleanliness and [[vanity]] were therefore not the sole reasons for a "clean shave"; the origins lie deeper. Before the [[Macedon]]ian conquest brought the custom of [[clean-shaven|clean shaving]], the κουρευς in the Greek ''[[agora]]'' would trim and style his patrons' beards, hair, and [[fingernail]]s, as [[gossip]] and [[debate]] flowed freely. Barbering was introduced to [[Roman empire|Rome]] from the [[Magna Grecia|Greek colonies]] in [[Sicily]] in 296 B.C. and barber shops quickly became very popular centres for daily news and gossip. A morning visit to the ''tonsor'' became a part of the daily routine as important as the visit to the [[thermae|public bath]]s, and a young man's first shave (''tonsura'') was an essential part of his [[coming of age]] ceremony. [[Image:TexasRichardson barberShop.jpg|thumb|right|Interior of a barber's shop, circa 1920]] A few Roman ''tonsores'' became wealthy and influential, running shops that were favorite ''loci publici'' of high society; most were simple tradesmen, owning small storefronts or setting up their stool in the street and offering shaves for a mere ''[[quadrans]]''. Some had reputations as clumsy butchers who left their patrons [[scar]]red about the cheeks and chin; their dull [[bronze]] or [[copper]] (never [[steel]]) [[razor]]s must share some of the blame. The better barbers offered [[depilatory|depilatories]] for those customers who refused the razor. The barbers of former times were also surgeons and [[dentist]]s. As well as haircutting, hairdressing, and shaving, barbers performed surgery, blood-letting, cupping and leeching, enemas, and the extraction of teeth. Thus they were called [[barber surgeon]]s and they formed their first organization in [[1094]]. == See also == * [[Barber's pole]] * [[Barber surgeon]] * [[Beauty Salon]] * [[Facial hair]] * [[DOVO Solingen]] * [[Thiers Issard]] * [[Hairstyle]] * [[wikt:something for the weekend|Something for the weekend]] * [[The Barber of Seville]] * [[Sweeney Todd]] ==External links== * [http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_text_wsd_sec20.htm William Stearns Davis on the barber shops of Athens] * [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Barba.html ''Barba'': entry in William Smith's ''Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities''] * [http://www.brownshair.com/history.htm History of the barber's trade] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Personal care and service occupations]] [[Category:Hairdressing]] [[ar:حلاق]] [[da:Barber]] [[de:Friseur]] [[es:Peluquería]] [[fr:Coiffeur]] [[gd:Gruagaire]] [[it:Barbiere]] [[he:ספר (מקצוע)]] [[la:Ornatrix]] [[hu:Borbély]] [[nl:Kapper]] [[ja:理容師]] [[nds:Putzbüdel]] [[pl:Balwierz]] [[simple:Barber]] [[sr:Берберин]] [[fi:Parturi-kampaaja]] [[sv:Barberare]] [[th:ร้านตัดผม]] [[tr:Berber]] [[zh:理髮師]]