Haircuts and beards

One of the most enduring characters on The Andy Griffith Show was Floyd Lawson, the barber. Floyd, played by Howard McNair, appeared in 239 episodes, but after several severe strokes, he made his final appearance in the last episode of season seven. Floyd’s role as Mayberry’s barber portrayed the vital role that a small-town barber plays. In past years, men living in small towns depended on the town barbershop for grooming and socializing. One could walk down Main Street of most American small towns and see the familiar red and white barber pole.

The red color of the barber pole represents blood. During the Middle Ages, religious monks shaved the crown of their heads. Traveling barbers usually did this. The monks were also required to undergo periodic bleeding, which these traveling barbers also performed.

The word barber comes from the Latin word “Barba,” which means “beard.” In ancient days it was believed that spirits would enter the body through the hair on the head and face. People also thought cutting the hair was the only way to prevent these spirits from entering the body.

Because barbers in the Middle Ages were held in such high esteem, they could perform religious and marriage ceremonies. Before marriage, both men and women were encouraged to grow their hair long. The bride and groom would shake out the evil spirits after the marriage ceremony. Then the barber cut the hair short to prevent the spirits from reentering the body.

Fortunately, by the time Floyd was the barber in Mayberry, all these primitive practices had vanished. Floyd’s primary role was cutting hair and giving shaves. But Floyd rarely trimmed a beard. Except for a few mustaches, the menfolk of Mayberry had clean, shaved faces. The only beard that appeared in Mayberry was the one Goober grew while on a hunting trip. And Floyd refused to shave it. He insisted on just trimming and shaping it because it made Goober look intelligent.

I have had barbers cut my hair since I was a young child. But I have never been shaved in a barber shop. And unlike many men, I have never sported a mustache or beard. I tried once many years ago, but because I had serious facial burns as a child, the beard I tried growing came in rather haphazardly.

I have often thought how much I would enjoy visiting Floyd’s Barber Shop. It would be a great experience to have a leisurely haircut while listening to the folksy conversation. Here in Eau Claire, there are quite a few new barber shops that have opened up recently, but somehow, I do not think they are quite like Floyd’s Barber Shop.

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