Men-only barber shop controversy

[GreenLantern]

A barbershop's men-only policy has created a heated debate in Regina.

Critic say the rule is discriminatory, while others defend the concept.

Claire Carter, an assistant professor of women's and gender studies at the University of Regina, said she believes the controversy to be an "if the shoe fits" situation.

"They want to say that they can promote a certain kind of style, but they want to discriminate against women," Carter said on Tuesday.

After two years of operating and building a word of mouth reputation in Regina, the barbershop attracted the interest of Evie Ruddy, who told media she requested a "hard part" traditional men's haircut, but was refused.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/B...253/story.html

[Vulcan]

Sounds like a power trip to me by this Claire Carter.

[Huntingwhale]

If a barber shop clearly describes itself on it's website as "providing exceptional grooming services for men in a unique atmosphere geared specifically to men," then why would she go there in the first place other then to cause a ruckus? The barber should accept her, then totally mess up her haircut.

[Hockeyguy15]

I don't understand some people. Is it really that big of a deal this barber shop wanted to cater only to men? I bet 99% of women wouldn't even care and that it's this vocal minority causing issues. I'm glad the article mentioned the women-only gym because that is a pretty good defense for the barber.

[Muta]

The guy can run his business however he wants. It's his damn business. This lady is clearly just looking for her fifteen minutes of fame.

[driveway]

The woman who sought the haircut was clearly seeking a very specific, traditionally men's style. Why wouldn't she go to a hair salon which had the most experience in executing this haircut?

From the article:

"If she was coming in asking for what is traditionally known as a more feminine haircut, I think they would have more rationale (because) that's not the service they provide. But she was asking for a service that they actually promote."

Bad business on the part of Ragged Ass Barbers.

[DropIt]

I'd be interested to see what she does to businesses like Curves after she is done with this guys' barber shop

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Muta

The guy can run his business however he wants. It's his damn business. This lady is clearly just looking for her fifteen minutes of fame.

I'm torn between two opinions, myself. On the one hand, replace "women" with "blacks" and see how far that would get. On the other, how would this be different than the idea of a women's only fitness club, which has already been found (in BC, at least) to be not discriminatory?

[Tron_fdc]

I would invite her back for a cut, and shave her head.

Want a traditional high n tight Jonny Unitas cut you could set your watch to? Done!

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by driveway

The woman who sought the haircut was clearly seeking a very specific, traditionally men's style. Why wouldn't she go to a hair salon which had the most experience in executing this haircut?

From the article:


Bad business on the part of Ragged Ass Barbers.

Because the business is set up to be a men's only barber shop.

She can get a men's haircut at any other barber shop. I'm sure they have also cut many of men's haircuts as well.

[JonDuke]

I was getting my haircut at a barber shop in Calgary the other day. When a lady was finished with her client, a 10(+/-) year old girl was next in line and the lady said "Sorry, I don't cut girls hair". I thought that was pretty strange, even if in a barber shop.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I'm torn between two opinions, myself. On the one hand, replace "women" with "blacks" and see how far that would get. On the other, how would this be different than the idea of a women's only fitness club, which has already been found (in BC, at least) to be not discriminatory?

It only works if you believe a Men-only barber shop is a "safe-space" in the same way that a Women-only gym is.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by driveway

The woman who sought the haircut was clearly seeking a very specific, traditionally men's style. Why wouldn't she go to a hair salon which had the most experience in executing this haircut?

From the article:


Bad business on the part of Ragged Ass Barbers.

I don't care what she says, she could get her haircut at any women's shop or any unisex shop. She's just trying to bust balls. Women have their own places so we should be able to have ours.

[The Ditch]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I don't care what she says, she could get her haircut at any women's shop or any unisex shop. She's just trying to bust balls. Women have their own places so we should be able to have ours.

Amen brother, I know I always feel unsafe and places like this make me as a white male much more accepted.

[4X4]

I've never been to a women only gym... Do they only have one change room? The manager of the Curves gym in the article said they'd take men if they tried to join. I wonder if they're set up for it. And I wonder how annoyed all the women would be at the attention grabbing loser dude that forced his way in.

As for this barber shop, I don't really see why they couldn't give the chick a guy's haircut. That there was a pretty good opportunity to have a sense of humour about the purpose of the business. A woman wants a man's haircut? Hook her up. If she had walked in and asked for hair extensions, then they'd easily be able to say that all they do is traditional mens haircuts.

I shake my head at people that pick these kinds of fights just to get attention, but in this case, the solution was obvious. Give her the haircut, and you win, she gets the haircut, and is totally disarmed, whether her intentions were to pick a fight, or to honestly and simply get a mens haircut.

[PsYcNeT]

I too hate having my hair cut in front of women, always judging me and ogling my naked exposed temples. Where's the sense of propriety?

[psyang]

Serious question - besides gyms like Curves, what other women-only businesses are there in Canada?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

It only works if you believe a Men-only barber shop is a "safe-space" in the same way that a Women-only gym is.

What the hell is an 'Un-safe-space?'

Originally Posted by 4X4

I've never been to a women only gym... Do they only have one change room? The manager of the Curves gym in the article said they'd take men if they tried to join. I wonder if they're set up for it. And I wonder how annoyed all the women would be at the attention grabbing loser dude that forced his way in.

As for this barber shop, I don't really see why they couldn't give the chick a guy's haircut. That there was a pretty good opportunity to have a sense of humour about the purpose of the business. A woman wants a man's haircut? Hook her up. If she had walked in and asked for hair extensions, then they'd easily be able to say that all they do is traditional mens haircuts.

I shake my head at people that pick these kinds of fights just to get attention, but in this case, the solution was obvious. Give her the haircut, and you win, she gets the haircut, and is totally disarmed, whether her intentions were to pick a fight, or to honestly and simply get a mens haircut.

Exactly:

"We offer a service that we are very good at, we arent very flexible because we're not good at everything, only good at a few particular things and generally only men want what we're good at but if women want it too then okay."

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

I too hate having my hair cut in front of women, always judging me and ogling my naked exposed temples. Where's the sense of propriety?

Should we have women-only streets? I bet women are checked out walking down the street just as much as they are at a gym.

[GreenLantern]

My atittude is if a place doesn't want me then they won't get my business, in the end they lose out on the money. Whether they care or not is another matter, but why would you want to give your business to a place that clearly doesn't want you there? As a customer you should be rewarded for spending your hard earned cash by a welcoming environment.

The only reason to do it is out of spite, and that just shows you are in a very sad and miserable place, speaking from experience. I would be ashamed if I was this woman.

Years ago a friend of mine walked into a car dealership with a wad of cash in his pocket. He was looking to buy a truck. He was dressed in street clothes, trades type guy, they probably thought he was there to kick tires. He walked around for about 20 minutes and not one person came to help him. Instead they stood together chatting, every now and then giving him an over the shoulder look. Eventually he walked up to them and showed them the wad of cash and said "I was here to buy a truck, but because you obviously don't want me here I will take my business across the street." And he did, and bought a truck for 15k cash.

Why put yourself in a situation where you aren't appreciated? Rise above woman!