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Journalism of Courage
Street barbers are commonly found in every nook and corner in Indian cities and towns. It is not easy for these street barbers, who charge a nominal rate for all their services, to compete with high-end salons in posh markets.
An X user, Shubho Sengupta (@shubhos), a digital marketer, posted about one such barber who has a pavement shop in the posh Greater Kailash Market in South Delhi. Sengupta said the barber, Rohtas Singh, charges only Rs 50 for a haircut, and his shop is located in the GK2 M Block Market. His competition in the same market is with high-end salons such as Tony & Guy and Truefitt & Hill that charge anywhere between Rs 700 to Rs 2,000, he said.
Sengupta said he has been to all such places, and according to him, they all offer the same quality. “Support small entrepreneurs, they may not be CEOs on LinkedIn, but they are the ones who pull the economy up,” he wrote. He also gave the barber’s mobile phone number in the post and said he also offers home services in nearby areas.
Posted on Tuesday, the tweet has received more than 6,900 likes. The tweet, however, ignited a debate about how getting a haircut from a street barber is more beneficial for the economy.
“How is my 2000 Rs trufitt haircut less impactful to the economy than 50rs that I pay to a pavement shop?” a user posted. “Well said. The backbone of thriving economies isn’t celebrities but the small biz owners grinding daily. Support them and lift your community, too,” said another.
“Tony and guy not only give just a haircut but a complete luxurious experience. They have salon in most expensive malls, they pay heft rents, clean hygienic shops, well mannered staff who have good hygiene and doesn’t smell like pan masala,” wrote a third.
“I think both can co-exist, just like there r other mid-level salons that charge 100-150 for a haircut & are decent shops. Similar 2 enjoying street food once in a while but u do take your family to good restaurants. The experience/ambience matter, not to mention hygiene & comfort,” another user commented.
