Guy advice needed from guys.

[Jester]

I am not trying to be sexist here, but frankly, I am not sure I want to talk to a woman who has experienced this!

Okay, guys, here's the deal. In 55 days (not that I'm counting), I turn 40 (May the gods save us all). And while I don't look my age, I look even younger clean shaven. Of course, that is an unusual state for me: in the last 12 years, I have been clean shaven a total of 12 weeks.

But I've been thinking of shaving off my goatee for this special and dreaded day.

Now today I had a thought....I should go to a barber shop and get an old-fashioned shave, with the straight razor, hot towel, the works. Something I've never done.

So, have any of y'all done this? And how was the experience? Worth it? Or should I just have my regular haircutter (who rocks) shave me?

[r2cagle]

I still want to give advice, dammit, cause I'm an interfering woman.. pbbt. Though you can ignore me if you wish.

No guts, no glory. Be Bold, Be Brave, Be JESTER! What's the worst that can happen, you bleed? You can make them stop anytime. Treat yourself, you're worth it.

[Jester]

Yes, I can bleed. And frankly, I want to look good on my 40th 20th 21st birthday, damn it! I don't wanna be all sliced up and bandaged! Hell, I might even get laid. And I don't want some dude from L'vov with an unsteady hand and a lethal weapon fucking that up.

[SG15Z]

Nope never done that before. But you should do it, just so you can say you have. Remember these barbers are professionals (usually anyway), I think you'll be fine!

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I say do it, just because it sounds amazingly cool.

And be sure to dodder like an old-timer. "MP3 players and iPods my butt! When I was a kid we had 8-track tapes, and you didn't hear anyone complaining!"

[Gravekeeper]

What can I do for you today sir? Stylish trimming of the hair? Soothing skin massage. Sit sir. Sit.

>.>

[Nurian]

I am not trying to be sexist here, but frankly, I am not sure I want to talk to a woman who has experienced this!

Okay, guys, here's the deal. In 55 days (not that I'm counting), I turn 40 (May the gods save us all). And while I don't look my age, I look even younger clean shaven. Of course, that is an unusual state for me: in the last 12 years, I have been clean shaven a total of 12 weeks.

But I've been thinking of shaving off my goatee for this special and dreaded day.

Now today I had a thought....I should go to a barber shop and get an old-fashioned shave, with the straight razor, hot towel, the works. Something I've never done.

So, have any of y'all done this? And how was the experience? Worth it? Or should I just have my regular haircutter (who rocks) shave me?

Do it. I've done it and felt fucking awesome!

[Jack]

A straight razor shave is excellent. I've been meaning to get a razor to do it myself, but I never have the money and I'm afraid of killing myself besides. The barbers who are used to doing it will have no problem with it. The old men are usually better at it.

[Rapscallion]

What can I do for you today sir? Stylish trimming of the hair? Soothing skin massage. Sit sir. Sit.

>.>

"Something for the weekend?"

Rapscallion

[r2cagle]

The old men are usually better at it.

But not so old they have Bell's Palsy. "Bring out the first aid kit, oh oops, better call 911!' Sorry, Jester, just poking at ya.

[Jester]

I say do it, just because it sounds amazingly cool.

I want to do it, because it does sound amazingly cool.

But apparently I can't.

Four barber shops in town that I've found. One appears to be permanently closed. The other three no longer give shaves.

What the fuck is going on here? How the hell do you have three establishments that refer to themselves as "barber shops," with the appropriate style and decor, yet not ONE of them does shaves anymore?

Seriously, this is fucking ridiculous!

And be sure to dodder like an old-timer. "MP3 players and iPods my butt! When I was a kid we had 8-track tapes, and you didn't hear anyone complaining!"

Um, how shall I put this politely.....fuck no!

I want to do it for two reasons...one, because I've never had it done, and two, because I am about to hit a milestone birthday that I am not overly fond of, and while I definitely do not look my age, I look even more not my age when I am clean shaven. So I am NOT going to bitch and moan like an old-timer, and I am never, ever, EVER going to "dodder."

What can I do for you today sir? Stylish trimming of the hair? Soothing skin massage. Sit sir. Sit.

I don't think I have ever been more creeped out by you than I am at this moment.

[Plaidman]

I did it once before before my grandpa died. Then again, most of my facial hair was still pretty thin and barely growing. It was fine. I might do it again. In memorence of my grandpa.

[HYHYBT]

I'm not exactly surprised that a service that nobody wants anymore isn't readily available... I mean, it'd be something to try once, sure, but still...

Good luck! I hope you find a barber who still does them, and often enough to actually know how.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Um, how shall I put this politely.....fuck no!

I want to do it for two reasons...one, because I've never had it done, and two, because I am about to hit a milestone birthday that I am not overly fond of, and while I definitely do not look my age, I look even more not my age when I am clean shaven. So I am NOT going to bitch and moan like an old-timer, and I am never, ever, EVER going to "dodder."

It seems my attempt at humor missed the mark. Sorry if you are offended.

But apparently I can't.

Four barber shops in town that I've found. One appears to be permanently closed. The other three no longer give shaves.

What the fuck is going on here? How the hell do you have three establishments that refer to themselves as "barber shops," with the appropriate style and decor, yet not ONE of them does shaves anymore?

Seriously, this is fucking ridiculous!

I'd suggest an Art of Shaving place. They're high end shops that sell shaving cream, razors and such. If they wouldn't do that kind of shave, I don't know who would. It would likely be pricey though, but it's your birthday treat to yourself.

[JustaCashier]

This topic came up on a local Forum a couple of months or so back.

The general consensus was, that apparently shaves at barber shops, (and this was pretty much confirmed by a buddy of mine that's been a barber for about 35 years) widely fell out of practice in the '80's or so, due to AIDS/HIV concerns.

Mike