The Great Indian Shave

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One of the major perks for male travelers in India is that you can entrust your facial grooming to an expert. Traditional Indian barbers belong to a specialized caste that goes back centuries. Men depicted in ancient Indian carvings were even clean shaven (though, even until present times, the mustache still refuses to die on the subcontinent). It is believed that many barbers went on to be trained surgeons due to their fine cutting skills.



Traditional barbers can be found on just about any street in the country, and a clean shave is dirt cheap. 20-50 rupees (0.40-1.00 USD) will generally get you the smoothest cheeks you've ever had, plus a head and shoulder rub before you're seen off. Most begin by lathering you up with shaving cream, then a meticulous shave using a flat, disposable razon, followed by a second round. Finally, soothing balms are applied, a touch of cologne, and then the rub down. The stalls themselves range from full on salons to chairs on the street with a mirror fixed to a wall or bridge column.



No Indian barber will go near your mustache, which always comes last, without first consulting with you. Only the most insistent customers can resist the barber's persuasive arguments that all the ladies prefer a man with a stache.



For my Great Indian Shave pictured here, the location is streetside in Udaipur, Rajasthan, the land of the finest mustaches in the nation.



For more of my photos and travel stories, or to buy my book "Taiwan in the Eyes of a Foreigner", visit www.nickkembel.com

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Comments

[Ali]

Perfect Movember photo...
Shame you didn't keep it for the month :)

[The Travel Camel]

Must seek out a barber shave on my return to India
Despite spending almost three months in India I never received one of these shaves, looks like I am poorer for not having this experience.

[gerd]

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