In India, street barber shops are the cool hangout spots where all the buzz happens. These places, nestled in various corners of different neighbourhoods in the country, offer services for a steal price in an economy where salons charge anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs 2000. And if you are lucky, they will throw in an extra head massage too! And the fun fact is that they are in tune with the times and follow the latest trends.
A digital marketer named Subho Sengupta took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the story of Rohtas Singh, a street barber who offers his services for as low as Rs 50 in a posh South Delhi neighbourhood. His competitors are Tony & Guy, Truefitt & Hill and other similar salons that charge a hefty amount for their services.
“I have been to all places and can tell you with authority 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.
Have a look at his post here:
Rohtas Singh charges Rs 50 for a haircut, at a pavement shop in GK2 M Block Market in South Delhi. His competition at the same market – Tony&Guy, Truefitt&Hill, Gitanjali, etc charge Rs 700 to Rs 2000.
I have been to all places and can tell you with authority they all offer the… pic.twitter.com/smQiKbNCnT— shubho sengupta (@shubhos) December 5, 2023
While there were many people who didn’t approve of street barber shops because they felt like they were illegally occupying public space and not paying taxes, several others came to his support. It was highlighted that, unlike big salons, small barber shops are run by people who are in desperate need of money and we must stand by small businesses because they are the backbone of our economy.
Well said. The backbone of thriving economies isn’t celebrities but the small biz owners grinding daily. Support them and lift your community, too.
— Abhinav Kumar (@singhabhinav) December 5, 2023
Today, I unexpectedly received some money that obviously doesn’t belong to me. I’m considering putting it to good use, and coincidentally, I came across this tweet. I hope this helps him. pic.twitter.com/q09KiTdvtL
— Aaraynsh (@aaraynsh) December 5, 2023
I used to go to a Toni&Guy essentials, they used to charge me around ₹750 and then 18% GST coming to a total of ₹885. My father used to always say like I m spending too much on haircut. So I went to another barber near my house, the place isn’t any fancy and he has almost all…
— CK32 (@___110010100___) December 5, 2023
A very humane empathetic and sensible consideration by @shubhos.
Followed by funniest irrelevant comments.Support small businesses.
— Yash Shrivastav (@yashrrj) December 5, 2023
I go to Varma Barber, behind blue tokai in the lane, haircut for Rs 200.
Strongly believe in supporting small business!!
— Hemant C. Sharma (@hemantcsharma) December 5, 2023
I spent my childhood days in GK II only. And I know this man ever since. My parents would get my hair cut by him back then and he would charge somewhere around Rs. 5 or Rs. 10. If I am not wrong, there’s a Tikona park nearby his shop and Anupam Sweets.(it existed back then)
— Manu Kumar (@Manu8Kumar5) December 7, 2023
I still pay Rs 70 for haircut at my local barber shop in Noida and have never been disappointed.
— सुधीर सक्सेना ♥️ 🇮🇳 Sudhir Saxena (@sudhirsaxena18) December 5, 2023
These people are like the heart and soul of Indian life, where every snip has a tale to tell! 🙂