if you haven’t met my uncle Iulik, this is him: a loving father, a bespectacled goofball and a sexy dancer. he’s all that and more.
and importantly, he loves and thrives at what he does. when at work, he transforms. he’s a true artist, a maestro. he enters his waters and creates magic right in front of your eyes. he’s a show to see.
he’s a dentist, you know.
and for every time you shiver and sweat cold in the hands of one, i am there in my uncle Iulik’s chair, falling asleep while he meticulously conjures smth in my mouth.
his private office is shining clean, there’s always good music or a movie in the screen right above you, nothing ever gets in the way, there’s strict order, and all tools always get back to their place, super clean and top quality.
Iulik is a perfectionist. and he’s a passionate, exemplary practitioner of his profession.
why do i tell you all this?
because i just lived a similar experience today here, in Bucharest. at a barber shop. Gentlemen’s Barber, it’s called.
i passed by a nr of times, curiously looking in. it reminded me strongly of this, and recently of the amazing, unchanged for decades, old-school one-two-seat men only establishments in Istanbul. and i like this things done well, for people and self, with a respect to the culture of the art or craft.
i was lucky to have my hair cut by Robert, the owner. we chatted a bit, and he was considerate not to ask too many questions, and answered a few of mine with modesty and sense of pride in his little business (just over 1 year old) and in what he does. very much like Iulik, he was a feast to watch, so i just observed the ritual, knowing i am in good, caring hands.
expensive? worth every penny. i want more and more small businesses like this on the streets of Bucharest. so it’s my little share of investment in people at-their-place, like Robert.
see you at Gentlemen’s in 2-3 weeks.
