This month Palo Magazine is dedicating the men’s issue to Barbers. The word “barber” comes from the Latin word “barba,” meaning “beard.” Ancient civilizations believed that spirits entered people through the hair on their heads and faces and this is why they needed to shave, and barbers were well respected.
However, I feel people for a long-time were starting to lose a bit of respect for the barber field. I think people didn’t truly respect a barber for what he did. For some, the barbershop was where men would go to gossip and talk about sports. Or that men that would go to a barbershop, were considered a bit “bougie.” Then the pandemic hit and just like Eric Rodriguez the barber that is featured on our cover mentioned, it wasn’t until COVID that people truly realized that barbers were essential workers.
Barbering is a profession, you have to be crafty to be a good barber, this isn’t just a hobby. Normally men go to a barbershop because keeping up with your own hair and beard sometimes is not attainable at home, barbers are trained where most men are not, and you can buy good products for your face, beard, and hair at the barbershop. Besides, it’s also like a man cave at a barbershop, when a man goes to a barbershop and gets his hair cut, beard & or mustache trimmed it’s an entire experience, they do what beauty salons do but different. They also catch up with each other, they tell good & bad jokes, and it’s like taking time out from having to be daddy-, or husband for a bit. I don’t want to use the word spa and barbershop together, but I truly see this coming in the future, more men are wanting to have manicures and pedicures, and why not?
So, this month we dedicate this edition to the great groomed men out there and to all the barbers who keep them groomed and well kept. We also want to remind men it’s also ok to pamper and take care of themself don’t let anyone tell you anything different, and love yourself as well, pampering yourself doesn’t make you less of a man.
Rosa Julia Parra
CEO, Founder of Palo Magazine
