A few years ago I made a year's worth of visits to one of those "fancy" barbershops where a woman uses a straight razor. The first trip was "meh". The next few visits I had a different woman...a true artist. There are few things as wonderful as having the barber offer to fetch a beer from the brewery next door and then fussing over what hair you have left on top, followed by hot towels and a careful straight razor shave on your face, neck and head, all the while listening to music from your high school days, followed by lotions and powders.

Unfortunately, it became too expensive to do on a regular basis. But after racking up some poor experiences at more affordable family hair salons, I am thinking of returning. "An IPA, trim and a shave, please!"