I have a bad habit, and that bad habit is my total lack of fashion. If I buy clothes at all it’s a miracle, and getting my hair cut is one of those hillbilly kind of twice-a-year (at best) things. Cue hairdresser nags about my split ends and my heavy locks. I dread it kind of like the dentist.
Normally I go to one of the Bishop’s shops around town. Why? It’s less because I’m Totally Rock And Roll and more because it doesn’t require planning. I can stomp in, maybe wait a little bit, not get offered beer* and then point to my head and say “Make it do…whatever. Fix it.”
In some ways I suppose I’m a nightmare–my kudzu-like hair is thick and treacherous–and yet I hope also inspiring–I’ll let you do “whatever” with my hair; I’m the consummate mannequin. I also have, to toot my own proverbial horn, pretty decent hair, and I hope it’s fun to cut.
Bishop’s is a bit like roulette. Occasionally I come out looking more like my hair has taken a bullet than a cut-and-style. This weekend’s result, my first haircut in 2008, is fortunately Quite Nice.
I turn to you to guide me. While I have at least avoided, say, SuperCuts, are there things I should be doing besides Bishop’s? Good hairy places in town for hopeless people like me? Bonus points if they do walk-ins because I’m not very good at, oh, thinking ahead.
* For those of you who don’t know, Bishop’s gimmick is offering customers a beer (currently MGD; formerly Pabst, of course). They have never, not one time, ever offered me one. I find it kind of endearing.
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Rudy’s! Fun place, no attitude. The Division location is ACE!
I’m pretty much exactly like you, I only cut my hair when it starts to look ridiculous, which unfortunately is more often than twice a year. I go into Bishop’s and say “I need less hair on my head” and have similar results.
I wish there was a good old-fashioned barbershop around here, old guys with straight razors that don’t charge $23 for a simple cut. If anyone can lead me to that I’d appreciate it.
@Andy Mesa – There’s a plain ol’ barber shop on the first floor of the Pacific Building, just off the lobby. (On SW Yamhill between 5th and 6th).
I had a brilliant experience with SuperCuts. They did an awesome job of cutting my hair for many years. The stylists did vary a bit, but in my experience they were universally at least competent. And a few were phenomenal.
I’ve been to Bishop’s – I also went to 77, since that’s what all the peoples recommended; it actually was quite nice but I think Bishop’s did a similarly quality job for less planning and fewer $$.
Although, yes, Bishop’s has never offered me a beer, either.
Dirty Little Secret on MLK. Lots of people who can handle my unruly mop. Not sure about walk-ins, as I’m one of those planner people.
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