On my recent monthly trip to the barbershop (this fair-haired boy has less hair every year, so snip-trips become more infrequent) it occured to me that a great deal of business information was being tossed about. I wonder how much other guys learn about business at the barber, and whether women have the same experience at the hair salon.
On my recent barbershop visit there were several cross-chair discussions going on that involved all of the barbers, and most of the customers. One item discussed was the price Tiger Woods paid for his house in Jupiter (apparently he was in a bidding contest for the property), which lead to a general discussion of home equity as a source of business investment. Other topics included how horse investment syndicates work (the barber was involved in one), the return on investment for hurricane shutters for home and business, the euro versus dollar relationship and trends (one customer sold internationally via e-Bay), and discussion about specific stocks and investments.
There was also local business news like whether Steeplechase Publix will close when the new one at SR200 and SW 80th Avenue opens, what Wachovia Bank's purchase of World Savings will mean to local CD rates (World has had rates as much as 1.5% higher than other local financial institutions), which new businesses are leasing space near the Oak Run WalMart, and which businesses are up for sale in Ocala.
I began to wonder how much other information I would gleen if I needed to make weekly trips to the barbershop. Are "frequent snippers" more tuned in to local opportunities? What say you? Do any of you have an insight into this? Does the quality and quantity of information vary by barbershop? Perhaps one should pick a barber with the same care that one picks a lawyer or accountant!
Can any women readers provide insight on whether information of this sort is bandied about in hair salons too? Or is this a phenomenon unique to barbershops?