Mumbai

A vast coastal city in India and Harry’s introduction to the country. What defines it for him is the proximity of extremes: skyscrapers with slums directly against them — a word he flags as unkind but uses because it’s the label on the map. He describes the city as unlike anywhere he’s ever been.

What Harry did

Walked the city, then went back to a barber he’d seen working on the pavement earlier in the day for a street shave instead of a salon one. The barber works from a small pitch decorated with Hindu statues and a Hindu calendar, and speaks essentially no English — Harry’s question about how many shaves he does a day doesn’t land. The shave runs to a wash, cream, a straight razor with a fresh blade, a second full pass, the neck and the back of the neck, and a face massage to finish.

Practical facts

• A street shave cost 40 rupees — Harry puts that at just under 50 cents.
• He paid 500 rupees (around six or seven dollars) as a deliberate overpayment, which he notes is roughly the price of a shave in England.
• Street barbers set up directly on the pavement; Harry assumes there’s no charge for the pitch.
• Expect no shared language. The whole transaction worked on gestures.
• The finishing face massage stings.

Harry’s tips

• Take the street option over the salon — his verdict was that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and this was the best shave he’s ever had.
• Check the blade. Harry confirmed a new one was being used before starting.
• If the price is honestly low, reward it. He paid more than ten times the asking price and still spent less than he would at home.

Source

• India’s Best Street Barber 🇮🇳 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US6iHJ6cPjE