A couple of years ago, I was walking around my neighborhood, and happened upon a couple of young kids, maybe 8 to 10 years old. I had a nice conversation with them that day, but did not get their names. Over time, I came into regular contact with one of the boys and learned that his name was JJ. It just happened that JJ would be around the area playing and such at the times when I would walk through. I regularly walked through the area going to catch a Jeepney, or just walking for exercise.
Whenever I would see JJ, I would always say hi to him, maybe exchange a bit of small talk. Over time, I introduced him to Feyma and some of my kids. When Christmas came around, I bought a basketball for JJ. That was during December 2011. I continued to see JJ during my walking for many months to come, but sometime around September 2012, or so, I realized that I had not seen JJ in quite some time, so I was wondering what had happened to him. I mean, for a long time, over a year, I had been seeing him almost daily, and suddenly he was gone. I hoped he was OK.
I figured that JJ had moved away, but whenever I walked through this little area not far from my house, I always saw lots of kids. They knew that I had bought a basketball for JJ, so they were always friendly. I suppose they were probably hoping I would buy them some kind of gift, although I never developed a close relationship with any of the other kids, so never felt a need to purchase anything for them. The place where all of these kids live is a small “market area” sort of a mini-public-market of sorts. You can buy veggies there, chips, crackers and such. It’s sort of a bunch of sari sari stores all in one area. The families living there and working there are poor, but nice people and had always been friendly to me.
A few months back, as I walked through the area, on my way to the Jeepney stop, I noticed that a small barber shop had opened up in the midst of the little stores. I thought about stopping and getting my hair cut there, but I already had a regular barber that I went to, and I was happy with him. I even considered him a friend. However, over time, I was having trouble getting my hair cut at my regular place, because every time I would go there, there were no barbers on duty. I don’t know what happened, but the barbers just never seemed to show up for work, or at least were not there when I went there. Usually, they would have 6 to 8 barbers on duty at any time, so I found this surprising.
One day, when I went into the city to my regular barber shop, again there were no barbers there. I was starting to get a little upset about making the trip to the barber and not being able to get my haircut. So, I decided to go to this new little barber shop in my neighborhood and see how they were. I was a bit worried, because it was such a simple little place and there was no air conditioning, so I hoped it would be comfortable. When I went there, I met the barber (they have only one), his name is Erwin. I met Erwin and had a nice talk with him while he cut my hair. I found the place comfortable and friendly. No aircon, but they had a couple of ceiling fans that kept the air moving nicely, I felt comfortable enough.
While having my hair cut, I asked Erwin if he knew JJ. He did not know who I was talking about, even though I described JJ to him. His shop had opened after JJ was already gone, so I could understand why, though.
I liked the Barber Shop, St. Nicolas Barber Shop, enough that I started going there regularly. I liked the idea of building more friendships in the neighborhood, and also keeping my money local with the people around me. Anyway, on, I think, my third visit to have my hair cut, two young girls and a boy came in and started watching the barber cut my hair, which was not unusual. But, Erwin told me that one of the girls was the sister of JJ. So, apparently after Erwin must have asked around about JJ, since he did not know who he was before. I talked to JJ’s sister, Princess, and she told me that JJ was living in a different location now, about 3 or 4 miles from our location. He is attending a different school over there. So, now, I have a few new children friends there at the little market. Whenever I pass by now, those 3 kids always say hi to me.
I have to say, I enjoy meeting people around the neighborhood, and I also feel that knowing my neighbors is a nice way to build a nice reputation around the neighborhood, and have a few more friends. I am happy with the barber service that Erwin gives me, so I’ll keep going back! In fact, I was just there for a haircut today! Thanks for the good service, Erwin!
That’s what it’s all about, Bob. People connecting with each other.
I agree, Jason.
out five houses away from me live a man who is a welder but I did not know him or what he did. one day I was loading my motorcycle up to take a project to town to be welded when my next door neighbor told me to go the opposite direction from town and about five houses down on the same side of the street we live on And he could weld it for me. My one prior weld job in the city had made me a little upset since while the man was working on my job another man came in with a piece that was far more work than mine but he stopped on my job and worked on the other mans until he finished it then charged him 30 pesos. I didn’t mind that he worked on the other mans job before finishing mine because i was not in a hurry and I thought the other man was probably needing it done so he could go back to work. But when the welder finished my job he charged me 200 pesos and had done half as much work. I took my project to my neighbor since he was only 300 meters away in stead of 15 km to the city. The man was busy working on his house but stopped everything to do my welding job.This project was a much bigger job than the first one and I had no Idea of how much it might cost. When he finished and I asked how much I owed him he smiled and said 50 pesos. I gave him 100 pesos and all my welding business from then on. We are good friends now and my next door neighbor and the welder always advise me where to go for the best service. best places to buy parts or materials and the best people to use when I need skilled labor. They have never led me wrong.
Hi Joe – Interesting story about the welding. Big difference in those charges, don’t you think?
I didn’t mention that another advantage of my new barber is the price, it’s only P30 for a haircut… I’ve been paying P50 at the other place! 😉
Thanks for sharing, Joe.
Bob
What a nice article. Some excellent thoughts. There are many reasons for keeping it local. Of course we help our neighbors financially. And it is good to have them have our backs. When you are part of the neighborhood it is a protection for you and your family.
I agree Ron, and I enjoy building friendships with people in my neighborhood. It makes my life a little more enjoyable.
I agree, Jason!
Not everything in The Philippines can be considered a bargain, but from my own visits a haircut certainly is. Looks like you have found a new and convenient place to go for yours Bob.
You sure are right, Bob, a haircut is a huge bargain here! As I mentioned earlier, I pay P30 for the haircut (I also always give a P20 tip, so P50 total). That includes a super haircut, nice conversation and a head, neck and shoulder massage. You can’t beat that!
You know, Bob, with all of the discussion and concerns from expats on the Net about safety, security, being ripped off, etc, the best thing you can do to keep yourself safe is also the simplest:
Get to know your neighbors
Filipino, foreigner… It doesn’t matter.
If you friendly and are on good terms with those around you, they will watch your back.
That is so true, and it applies no matter where in the world you live. Not only does it make you safer, it also makes your life more interesting and enjoyable.
Bob,
Getting to know your neighbors is the best security you can have. They are your eyes and ears when you are not around. I also found a great barber when i was there in October. He was happy to see a “kano” come in his shop. Did a great job with the haircut and shave. Not a nick on the face. Charged 35p and i left a generous tip for him, which really made his day. Take care.
Hi PapaDuck – Sounds like you found a good barber! I enjoy going for a haircut a lot. It’s not so much about getting my hair cut, but interacting with a friendly barber, meeting some of his other customers at the shop, just having a good time, and a simple one. It’s one of the aspects of life here that I really enjoy.
Bob, i had my hair cut in cagayan de oro, right outside robinsons in the mall. I forget how much i paid, but i couldnt believe the service and the excellant cut. When i got back stateside, i told my regular barber how much my haircut was in the philippines and how i got a neck and shoulder massage with it, and he told me in no uncertain terms, not to expect that here. WOW!….Cant wait till i retire to the PI.
Hi Skip – Usually, the malls are pretty expensive places for haircuts.. but still way cheaper than in the USA! 😉
Loved this article Bob. I’ve had only one haircut in the RP. We had been up on the mountain for over a week. Christmas, with all the guests and parties was fast approaching, and I looked pretty scruffy. I wanted to just walk into town & find a barber. Marlyn was adamantly opposed to that, & made me wait until she could accompany me. I found later that she was very concerned with the sanitation in many small shops.
When we went looking, Marlyn turned up her nose at every barber shop we passed. Instead, she checked at all the more modern, unisex, styling salons. It was Christmas season, so of course all of these were either closed or full. Our last resort turned out to be two little open stall type operations. They were side by side. One was a barber shop with two men sitting out front playing chess, and the barber sitting in the chair. The light was turned off &it was dim inside. Marlyn chose the one next door. It was a “styling salon” operated by a slim young “bacla” in drag. But his shop was brightly lit and clean. He seemed a little nervous to have a Kano for a customer, and I think I really scared him when I asked for a “military style” haircut. It became obvious that he didn’t know how to do it. So, Marlyn coached him along. He got the sidewalls around my ears way too high, but after Marlyn explained how to taper the sides it ended up looking kinda/sorta like a military high and tight. It was so funny, I forget how much it cost. I did notice that the barbers in the area were consistently charging 40 pesos.
When we left the “styling salon”, the barber had a customer and had turned on his light. We could see then that his shop was also clean, but the walls were painted a darker color. Now that I know what her concerns were, I’m sure I can get a haircut without the personal escort now.
It’s kinda funny. She thinks nothing of me wandering the mountains alone, but worries when I’m in town.
Take care,
Pete
Hi Pete – Thanks, I’m glad that you enjoyed the article!
I have never felt any problem with the sanitation in the barber shops here. Even the little simple shops appear to be well kept to me.
Next time you go, at least the barber will know what style you want! 😉
Hi Bob,
Really enjoyed the article today. I think you hit on one of the reasons I love the Philippines. The people there are more personable and know how to relate to others, unlike a majority of people here in the US now. I was brought up to be friendly and respect others, might be why I get along with Filipinos so well.
Wow, 50 peso for a hair cut and tip (about a $1.25) is much cheaper than the 15.00 I pay for one in Atlanta (tip not included).
Hi Scott D – Thanks! Glad to know that you enjoyed the article. I enjoy the experiences shown in the article! 😉
Times have changed a lot since you and I grew up. People have changed, and have much busier lives now. We don’t have much time for each other, it would seem, at least in the US and other countries in the west. Here in the Philippines, things are different. People take an interest in each other, and have an attitude more similar to what we experienced when we were younger. I like that!
Hi Bob
Really enjoyed reading all your articles…thank you. I too am married to a Filipina and we are thinking of living in UK for 6 months and in Philippines for 6 months every year, thereby avoiding the cold winters here in the UK and the rainy season in The Philippines. We want to buy a property in maybe Iloilo and just do a six month rental here in UK. Does that sound feasible to you? Any comments would be really appreciated
Many thanks
Howard
Hi Howard – Personally, I am not an advocate of the snowbird system where you spend half of the year here and half in your home country. I feel doing that makes the adjust much harder, perhaps impossible, because just about the time when you start making that adjustment here, you leave, and must start all over again the next trip. Of course, that is my personal opinion, and you have to do what works best for you.
Thank you for enjoying my site, I really appreciate that!
Interesting article Bob. Here in Florida, I, too, go to a barber “right down the street a few blocks”. The biggest difference is I pay him $10.00 USD plus a generous tip. I think he remembers me because of my instructions on how to cut my hair: “Get it as close as you can without drawing blood”. When you are old and ugly, and bald on top, that for me, is the logical set of instructions.
Ha ha, good one, Rich. I like that… as close as you can without drawing blood! 😉