This Dominican barbershop must not like white people.
I travel a lot so I only had today to get a haircut. My regular barber when I'm in White Plains, NY is Sammy. I called him on his cell and he told me he was out after surgery on his ankle. I figured I'd still go and get a haircut from one of the other barbers.
I mean how bad could it be? I'd probably have to wait but I had no choice, I needed to get a haircut today. I fly out tomorrow morning for a gig tomorrow night in a city I'm unfamiliar with.
I walked in the shop and there were no clients on the chairs. Place was empty. Perfect! No waiting time. I was off to a good start! Then I saw one of the barbers sitting on one of the couches. Crying. Hoping it was allergies, I asked him if I could get a haircut. He wiped his eyes and motioned to the back where I saw three barbers sitting together eating lunch. Not to be rude, I sat on the couch next to them and waited for them to finish. I was still the only customer.
Finally one of them, this kid, causally gets up and asks if I need a haircut. Yeah. What else would I be there for? I felt like saying: no, I'm here for lunch. What are you serving? He looks at the other two barbers and tells them in Spanish that I was there for a haircut. Speaks to me in broken English but to them in Spanish. I'm a white Puerto Rican and I speak both. In fact, I make sure they know that and I say (in Spanish): yeah I just need a quick haircut whenever you're done eating. Thank you.
They don't answer me. Instead, one of the barbers looks at the kid and says (in Spanish): I can't do it because I'm waiting for my appointment. The other barber simply says: "Conmigo no." (Not with me) and sits down to read the newspaper. The kid shrugs his shoulders and goes and sits next to me on the couch and starts to play video games on his phone. You'd think from their reaction that I was asking for a free haircut.
So I sit. And I wait. Still no other clients walk in. But I wait. Not sure what I was waiting for at this point. Maybe for some barber in shining armor with a sunny disposition and some sense of professionalism to walk in. But no one else walks in. No one.
I wait some more.
By this time Mr. "I'm waiting for an appointment" decides to play Dr. Phil to the seemingly heartbroken barber seated by the door and starts to counsel him. The other barber is still reading the paper. Still on the same page. Must be a slow reader. And the kid is still playing video games. Probably still dying on the same level. And there is still no other clients. 25 minutes pass. And I'm still there. Anger begins to set in. I wasn't going to be able to get my haircut. I realize I'm gonna have to go with a stronger gel and a bigger brush...until I can get to my next destination and find another barber.
I prayed. I meditated. I even did some mental Yoga. Anything to calm myself down. Having learned my lesson, I got up and I left.
If Sammy the barber ain't there, just make pretend this place is closed and don't bother going in. And if Sammy is there and cutting your hair, don't bother talking or greeting any of the other barbers. They don't care about you anyway. Especially if you look white.
I'd give this place a higher rating if Sammy was the owner or I was straight up Dominican.
That one star is because eventually Sammy will return. Get better soon Sammy! Very soon! read more