JEDDAH, 26 December 2007 — Because of fears of infection and possible disease, many citizens and expatriates are purchasing their own portable cases containing tools for shaving and haircuts.
Many barbers do not practice essential hygiene such as cleaning their tools after each use. Some customers have asked the shops to provide them with special containers where they can keep their shaving utensils when they come later for another haircut or shave.
“During holidays, barbershops become crowded. As a result of this congestion, we find a lot of shops do not sterilize the tools they use because they don’t have enough time. Also, they take another customer immediately after they are done with the previous one and this can cause diseases and skin infections. I have my own shaving case that has all my shaving equipment and I bring it every time I go to the barbershop,” said Abdul Raheem Al-Sulaimani.
Ahmad Al-Assmani, a barbershop customer, said: “Barbershops have become a source of fear and terror for many who wish to be shaved. Many believe they may be the source of transmission of diseases and serious infectious diseases. Thus, many young men are buying their own personal shaving tools with them to the shops.”
Khairi, a barber, countered these accusations. “All the tools we use are sterilized in the ultraviolet sterilizing container. In addition, shaving tools are cleaned with disinfectant and heat. Razors are only used once and all barbers use sterilizers and anti-bacterial cleanser on their hands.”
He, however, admitted that in response to some customers’ requests many shops have allocated lockers for customers to keep their personal shaving tools in.
Anan, another barber, said: “Our customers reserve their special tools or purchase shaving tool bags. In order to reserve a locker with the customer’s personal shaving equipment, the customer pays SR50 per month. Each locker has a number known to its owner and when he comes for a shave, the barber uses the tools from the customer’s locker. The customer gets a 50 percent discount because all the tools being used are his, and the customer only pays the barber his fees.”
