BBA Newsroom

Letter from Raj, Barber – Maharashtra, India

Dear Friends,

My name is Raj. I am twenty years old and have been cutting hair since I was fourteen. My shop is small — just one chair, a mirror, a fan that works when it wants to, and an old radio that plays the same songs every morning. Still, it is my world.

The men here come in after long days in the fields or on motorbikes covered in dust. They talk about rain, politics, cricket, or how expensive onions have become. Some just sit in silence, enjoying the cool touch of the scissors and the smell of coconut oil. When they leave, I see them stand taller, smile wider. That moment always reminds me that I can make someone feel new again — even if I earn little.

Some people think being a barber in a small town is simple work. But to me, it is something beautiful. Every haircut is a small piece of dignity. Every conversation, a chance to know my people better.

Maybe our shops look different, yours with shiny tools and mine with a cracked floor — but we share the same pride. We make others feel good about themselves. And that is enough.

With respect,

Raj, Village Barber

At the British Barbers' Association, we often talk about new techniques, products, and trends — but Raj’s letter reminds us of something far more timeless: perspective. Whether in London or a small Indian village, barbering remains a craft of human connection — a daily act of care, confidence, and quiet transformation. As winter approaches, may we all carry a bit of Raj’s spirit into our own chairs.

Please enjoy another edition of Barbers Digest. If you have any questions for the BBA team, contact us at admin@britishbarbers.com

— The British Barbers' Association