By Nate Leskovic
Staff Writer
5/22/08

(previous)
Al Julian of Milton Barber Shop says picking a barber is like finding a friend. The relationship starts with getting to know each other (“How do you like your hair?”), and is maintained through a consistent haircut each time and the banter that accompanies the scissors and razor.
“If you’re not into it, you don’t go back,” he says. “You just can’t relate to every last person. You can tell within five minutes.”
Mackie says the intimacy involved with cutting someone’s hair contributes to a willingness to open up. Julian says the trust involved translates to a personal level.
Barber/customer confidentiality prevents Mackie from repeating any of the tales that pass through her shop. She says if people knew she was spreading their stories, they might clam up.
“I could blow you away with stories, but nothing I can put in the paper,” she says, but she admits that many guys ask her for dating tips. “It’s easy to give out advice when you’re on the outside looking in.”
Julian feels the same way, though he did disclose that a former customer once gave him the dirt on an affair she was having. He says he just listened.
Keeping this trust is part of a barber’s success. Julian’s been in Milton for four years, and has customers as far away as New Hampshire.
Mackie’s just celebrated its seventh anniversary, and Mackie has had some customers for more than 15 years.
“A lot of people who have moved away still come back,” she says, naming customers from Somerville, Norwell and New Hampshire. “You go through all their milestones in life. We get to see little kids grow up. From first communions to college breaks.”
Often the entire shop gets into discussions.
“For the most part, I think they look forward to coming,” Mackie says about her customers. “I always want it to be a fun place. I would never want it to be like an assembly line. It sounds corny, but when people are on the phone and say they are at Mackie’s—I love hearing that, to know it’s a socialization spot.”
Julian agrees. “Let’s be honest, most people in our business like to talk. We’re very inquisitive,” he says with his trademark laugh. “It’s great to be someone that people like and trust and feel free to speak their mind around.”
Julian and Mackie are friends as well. Julian only takes appointments and sometimes refers customers to Mackie, who takes walk-ins. Their shops are far enough apart, and there is room for both of them in town.
The two joke about each other and dish out some playful jabs, but as with the other stories told in confidence—what’s said in the barbershop, stays in the barbershop.