COVID 19 AND HAIR CUTS

Covid19 brought in unprecedented problems and their solutions too. During its first wave there was a nation wide lockdown. It was a unique experience for all of us. Both of my sons had overgrown hair on their heads as well as beards. All saloons were shut. They started imploring me to give them hair cut. I ignored it for 2-3 times. But their requests became more persistent in the next couple of days.

I had never done it earlier. But in my childhood I had harvested wheat in scorching heat. And to my credit was also my experience of cutting branches of dry trees for firewood in the nearby jungle of our village. If I could do that why can’t I do this? My confidence further grew as I had a good quality trimmers, pair of scissors and couple of combs. I had a long experience of getting my own hair cuts from different barbers. My trimmer boosted my confidence as it was newly procured online. Unlike scissors-it at least does not make cuts. In Iran I had seen that barbers very rarely use a pair of scissors. And I also knew how to use a trimmer as I have been trimming my own beard for the last three decades.

I decided to give it a try on my younger son first. I pulled a chair in my balcony, took a white sheet and plugged in the trimmer. Luckily my trimmer has a long cable. My wife and elder son also surfaced and started watching my first ever adventure. They were giggling and cleverly glancing at each other. One or two times the elder son could not suppress his laughter. The younger one who was sitting in my perfect control was increasingly becoming anxious and annoyed on the onlookers.

Ultimately I switched on the trimmer and it boomed as usual. From behind the neck trimmer moved upward and down fell a huge bunch of hair. Then again I did repeat the action for 3-4 times. To my surprise-the hair cut was smooth. Without touching the hair at the top, I moved to the sides. One side was to be given more trimming to retain his hair style. I did try to do that. By this time my client was becoming increasingly impatient to see himself in the looking glass. I had knowingly not kept any looking glass in the vicinity. I asked him to wait for some more time. 

Now it was the turn of scissors. This could be quite risky. Even one small wrong cut might put me in a tight position. I made a straight cut on the back(near collar) and then from lower right side I started making a line towards the ear and then made a curve towards temple. The same action was repeated on the left side. The small hair grown towards the right, left and below the lines made with scissors were trimmed with a smaller trimmer. And everything was happening as per my imagination.

Hair at the top needed to be cut with comb and scissors. The growth of hair was so thick which forced me force comb through it with a lot of force. In order to make it easy I thought of sprinkling water as I had seen barbers doing that. Yes, it worked out. I also used my fingers as comb and trimmed the longer hairs. Out of 100,I was confident to get nearly 80 marks. He accepted it as there was no college due to lockdown and there was no prospect of opening them in the near future. He immediately moved out of my control and rushed towards the looking mirror. He grumbled a little bit and then silenced. My wife also left kitchen to see result of my test. I asked her whether it was a good hair cut. She said, “Not bad”.

My elder son, after viewing the hair cut of the younger-signalled me to also give him hair cut. This proved that I had hit the mark. Now a days my confidence level has gone up as I am getting regular monthly requests from both of them. 

During the second wave , a couple of days back  I was also getting impulsive to get my own hair cut. I asked my better half to do me a favour. She apparently refused as she had no expertise. My sons who most of the time remain glued to their computers did not agree to give me a hair cut. I said I would be your guide  as by now  I had enough experience in this field.

Unwillingly she consented. I gave her a little demonstration in the beginning. Her first ever attempt on the trimmer went a miss. Down fell an unexpected huge bunch of my hair. I clearly understood that she would spoil the show. I asked her to immediately stop and sent her to call my elder son who has recently done B.E. Smilingly he came and was not willing to tread the unknown path. 

He called the younger one to collaborate. Now you can imagine-one head and three barbers. I had taken up the risk to involve them in my hair cut as I had started working from home due to the imposition of lockdowns. I had also thought to ask one of them to give me a zero cut with a trimmer if they failed in their collaborative attempt. 

But to my surprise, by hit and trial, my elder son took the lead and gave me a partially satisfactory hair cut. Since there was no mirror which could show me the hind side of my head. I asked him to take two-three snaps with my phone. These clicks proved to be quite helpful as I could provide him necessary guidance to amend his earlier attempts.

Now one thing I can say with confidence that the fear of catching virus from the saloons during the prevailing pandemic has gone to the winds. At least I am confident of helping myself and my family besides saving some money!