Barber shop owner draws the line at interfering women

The Daily Telegraph ^ | 3:01PM BST 16 Apr 2009 | Richard Savill

[protest1]

Philip Swanton does not like wives and girlfriends 'offering advice' and interrupting the male bonding between customer and cutter.

So a thick black indelible marker stripe bisects the floor of his shop in the Clifton area of Bristol, marked No Ladies Beyond This Line.

Mr Swanton, 60, whose wife Kathryn (corr) works with him in the shop, says he has nothing against the 'Ladies', but just wants some space where men can do what men do. "Men like to come here and have their hair cut without the intrusion of a lady putting her oar in" he said.

[protest1]

"Men, stand up and be counted is what I say, don't be down-trodden, have a bit of self-respect. Men want their equality as well as the women. And women, stay as you are, you are lovely and we do not want you to change, but let us enjoy a little bit of space on our own.

A battle cry if ever I heard one ! Funny article with a serious point.

[Vigilanteman]

I look for this guy to be sued by the feminazis in short order. Meanwhile, I and most normal men are perfectly happy to leave our ladies in the beauty salon alone.

[skeeter]

Man, are you asking for it.

[Domandred]

let us enjoy a little bit of space on our own.

The largest contention point between my wife and I. She doesn't understand the "Man cave", where ever that cave might be, which in some cases could be the barber shop.

[xsmommy]

I am a woman and I’m all for separate space. I personally think men should be banned from women’s clothing stores, so I would have no objection to women being banned from a barber shop.

[GeronL]

The PC Cops will be giving him a visit

[oyez]

"My wife is happy with it all. She says men would not walk into a ladies' salon and tell them how to have their legs waxed."

Try me.

[SkyDancer]

Only momma’s boy would go to a barber shop with his wife ....

[editor-surveyor]

"The largest contention point between my wife and I."

Don't look now, but they've already conquered you! That should have read "between my wife and me."

[Domandred]

Nah my wife is worse at grammar than I am!

[skeeter]

You’re reasonable. Many other people aren’t.

[digger48]

"Men, stand up and be counted is what I say, don't be down-trodden, have a bit of self-respect. Men want their equality as well as the women. And women, stay as you are, you are lovely and we do not want you to change, but let us enjoy a little bit of space on our own.

As long as it's a hot young hairstylin' babe cuttin' what little's left of my hair.....yeah, I'm good with this.

[razorboy]

I’d support men being banned from women’s clothing stores, then the wife couldn’t drag me along. Apparently I have good taste in clothes or something.

[OneWingedShark]

>Only momma’s boy would go to a barber shop with his wife ....

Or maybe a couple with only one car that both have things to do.

[glorgau]

The best example of barber shop etiquette that I’ve seen is in the Clint Eastwood movie “Gran Torino”.

[Abigail Adams]

Sorry to hear that. Maybe you could specify to her the time that you will be in the “cave” and when you will come out? Thankfully, both my hubby and I need our own “caves.”

[ridesthemiles]

I get your “cave” mentality....
But:
What if I am also a customer?
Years ago, the local barber was the only person who could cut my naturally curly short hair and have it come out not looking strange.
He is long dead now, but the hair I have is still naturally curly and difficult to get a ‘hairdresser’ to cut the way I want it.

[Charles Martel]

Hmm. This isn't a barber shop like the one in Gran Torino, I take it. Women would instinctively *know* to stay out of that sort of place.

[Charles Martel]

Well, dang... beat me to it. GMTA.

[xsmommy]

i love my husband dearly and if he likes something i wear then i am likely to wear it more often, but i do not need him picking out my clothes, nor does he need me picking out his. it drives me nuts to see men in the women’s clothing depts. in the way and annoying! LOL! and if you want to buy a gift, get her a gift card to her favorite store, then all you need to do is go up to the counter, get it and go!