Styles Barbershop

For some unknown reason, many Guatemalans opt for misspelled Spanish bastardizations of English words to name their businesses. For instance, the image above has the name Stilos (Estilos is the proper Spanish spelling) as a way to relate to Styles the English word for this barbershop (peluqueria in Spanish).

By the way, does anybody know why barber shops have the multi-color cylinder (I believe it should be red, white and blue) as a marker for a barbershop?

5 Responses to "Styles Barbershop"

Manolo says:
November 8, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Pues the three colours of the barbershop “candy cane” represent the three types of jobs barbers used to perform. They were dentists (white=extract teeth), they performed blood cleaning services (red) with leaches, and blue I think it was the colour to represent the actual hair cutting. At least that is what I remember they represent.
Reply
Carmen says:
November 8, 2007 at 8:06 pm
When I go back to Guatemala all I see are interesting spellings in business signs. Could this possibly be another one of those things we add to the list of “Cosas heredadas del Norte”? We could go into the whole discussion about the loss of national/linguistic identity with the repercussions on present/future generations, but that can be on another day. Personally, I have no issue with English being used, especially in tourist areas, but I do have an issue with the lack of spelling. It’s the same here in LA, there is a place where a sign reads, “Este parquiadero es solo para los que comen en la trocka de comida”. Then, in a clinic you read, “Esta usted enbarasada? Agarre un examen gratis.” The straw that broke the camel’s back was at a school (of all places) where I read the following, “Si va a levantar a su hijo, agalo a la ora adecuado.” One could say that at least there is an effort at communication…does one get points for trying?
Reply
LB says:
November 8, 2007 at 8:40 pm
The Origin of the Barber Pole (http://www.from Barberpole.com)
The modern barber pole originated in the days when bloodletting was one of the principal duties of the barber. The two spiral ribbons painted around the pole represent the two long bandages, one twisted around the arm before bleeding, and the other used to bind is afterward. Originally, when not in use, the pole with a bandage wound around it, so that both might be together when needed, was hung at the door as a sign. But later, for convenience, instead of hanging out the original pole, another one was painted in imitation of it and given a permanent place on the outside of the shop. This was the beginning of the modern barber pole.
Reply
stephanie lozano says:
November 8, 2007 at 9:10 pm
yes carmen is right its the same here in Los Angeles you see it everwhere its normal in many places. I would make the arguement that this illustrates the development of a new language if one ready for it or not.
Reply
Gerald says:
November 10, 2007 at 1:55 pm
others have answered the question but having been to the barbers myself in the last few days, I have to say that old one was not averse to the odd nip of the razor and a bit of blood-letting but the new one although 3 times the price does a great job and even trims my neck hair and eyebrows and blows away the loose hairs.
Reply

Styles Barbershop

Related

Leave a Reply Cancel reply