IN THE BARBER CHAIR Mark Maciver of SliderCuts talks to us about how the barbers chair provides men so much more than just a haircut
Who are you, who is Mark Maciver? How would friends and family describe you? Generous, not being big headed but generous. Caring. A risk taker - but only when it comes to business. What makes SliderCuts unique? Our
professionalism,
our
community,
our
atmosphere. People always comment on the great vibe. The core – the haircuts are good; the service is good. As well as me being the face of SliderCuts.
People have been coming in for so long, it is a
SliderCuts is not just a shop, it's personal.
therapy check. Even when you switch barbers, you know
What topics are often spoken about in the chair? often discussed. General life topics are spoken about
that
place
you
feel
noise of the world. This creates an environment
More mature customers tend to chat to us about topic
a
the vibrations from the hair clippers block out the
olds discuss navigating life, career and living spaces. One
is
the customer in a big leather comfortable chair and
olds talk about college or university. 21 to 30-year-
children.
shop
The aesthetics also play a part. You are standing over
but the specific topic depends on age. 18 to 21-year-
and
barber
comfortable so it is easy to open up.
Obvious ones – current topics, football and music are
relationships
the
where it is just you and them in the room.
is
discussed regardless of age is mental health.
Does a shape up change your mood? Absolutely. A good haircut makes you look good,
Why do you think people open up in the chair?
which makes you feel good. A bad haircut on the
People feel free to open up in the chair because of
other hand can put you in a bad mood. That bad
the foundations of barbering. Your barber is not just
mood can lead to an argument or bad event all
your barber. Your barber has been there at each and
because you had a bad haircut. So yes, a haircut
every stage of your life. Your barber gave you your
definitely affects your mood.
very first haircut, cut your hair on your first day of school, on your birthday, your graduation, your
Have you ever been in a situation where you
wedding day and when you had your first child. They have been there for every major event as well as at
could tell someone wanted to open up about
your regular shape-up. You build a relationship with
their mental health?
them.
I naturally poke. I always ask questions and create an environment
where
people
can
easily
and
Barbers play an interesting role in the community.
comfortably open up. A few years ago, I started
I’ve known certain clients since they were kids that
cutting a customer that was newly married. He had
went down the wrong path or ended up in gangs.
recently come back from his honeymoon and I
Now these are people who are feared on the streets.
asked him how the honeymoon was. He said the
Despite that when they come into the shop that
honeymoon was good and gave a generic summary.
gangster mentality is left at the door. I gave them
Then I asked, "how was it really?" He said the
their first haircut as a child. I saw them crying in the
honeymoon was horrible and explained why it was
chair so they cannot put on the gangster mentality
horrible. Holding his true thoughts back contributed
with me.
to how he was feeling mentally and being able to
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