I Found a New Barber. My Old One Still Doesn't Know.

Life has a series of unofficial rules that society decided to follow. Never regift a present given to you, never take the last slice before asking if anyone wants it, or whoever finishes a roll needs to replace it. They can be ridiculous, some don't even make sense but if any of them are broken, people will definitely say you are rude behind your back.

Another rule that no one really knows where it came from but it exists is: never cheat on your barber. Like, seriously. I Googled the phrase and asked where it came from and Gemini, which became a primary source in 2025, did not know where it came from. Sidenote, if artificial intelligence doesn't know something, we have bigger problems to deal with figuring out where a dumb rule comes from.

But alas, it exists.

When I moved to Riverside I got my first two haircuts with my barber back in Pomona. Yes, I would drive one hour round trip, just to look fresh. People have done worse things to do the same like: put a shoe tongue in your shoes just to make them bulkier, paid a lot of money for a freaky-looking stuffed animal accessory just to "flex," and actually told people "Drake is better than Kendrick Lamar." Ok, I change my mind, those are not worse, they are just plain old absurd.

But, when I finally decided to stop driving all the way back to Chino just for a haircut and find one here in Riverside, there was a sense of guilt, like I did something wrong. I didn't even tell my barber. In fact, I lied to him. I told him I would make the drive because he had been cutting my hair for more than 6 years now. I looked him in the eyes, through the mirror while he cut my hair and I told him, "Where you go, I go."

Johnny, if you are reading this. Let me speak to you directly for just one second.

Hi. It's me, Anthony. You cut my hair for many years, got me ready for so many special occasions. In fact, you completely changed my style. Without you, I'd be rocking a faux hawk. We had some good times like that one time I told you I can edit your vlogs. Or, that one time you came over to my house to cut my hair during a Pandemic. It was just getting too expensive to drive back every two weeks just for a hair cut. Also, my back hurts so much from driving. Sorry I didn't say goodbye, but just know, I still recommend people to you.

The search in Riverside was short. At first, the barber I picked was next to Kenny's veterinarian. I walked in and asked if they accepted walk-ins. They took me right away. There was also a man sleeping on their cough, I think they were aching for a new customer. The haircut was okay. It got the job done, just not the one I wanted. On to the next one.

This time, I took it to ask Yelp and I found Shipwreck on La Sierra. I walked in and asked if anyone was available. Sure enough, I waited a few minutes and then got the cut. It was good, but the vibes at the barbershop sold it to me. This time, no one was asleep on the couch, they were talking to each other, blasting music and not asleep on the couch. Again, I am overstating this detail because a shop with a sleeping beauty should not be trusted. I decided to give it another try.

So, I went back, this time I made an appointment with someone else. Since that second second trip to Shipwreck, I have stayed with that barber from the dealer's choice. And guess what, I don't have to drive an hour to the shop, the artists behind my cut take directions and I've yet to see anyone asleep.

I cheated on my barber, and it saved me money, time, and lower-back pain. So if breaking one unspoken rule makes life better… What other rules can go next? I'm looking at you toilet paper rolls.