And so if you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m an Italian American with a passion for food, especially Italian food. This blog is an outlet for my observations about food, mostly the Italian kind, growing up Italian American and how that has shaped my interest in food today, and whatever else might be important to me at a given moment J.
When my dad was young he was a musician and, apparently, quite a dancer. As a father, in his spare time, he grew our garden, remodeled our basement and built our garage, but his lifelong trade was that of a barber and barbershop owner. I look back now and am amazed by his talents. When you’re a kid you think everyone’s dad knows how to do all those things.
His experience was varied too. He first came to the U.S. with my grandfather when he was 14, traveled back and forth a bit, served in the U.S. Army in WW II, went back to Italy and married my mom, and then finally settled in the Detroit area to raise his family.
My dad starting cutting hair when he was 14. He was a great barber, he took his time and was always a perfectionist. He gave hot shaves with a straight razor. Imagine trusting someone to shave your face and neck with a straight razor! I can still remember watching him in fascination as he soaped up his brush and shaved himself with that straight razor. And then the smell of his aftershave – Old Spice. While he closed his shop when he was in his late 60’s, he continued to cut my brother’s hair until he passed away at 81. You certainly don’t hear of many people with nearly 70 year careers nowadays. Can you say 70 and out?
So, honestly, where have all the Italian barbers gone?
Tags: growing up italian, italian american, italian barbers, italian food, italian foodie, italian parents
