Hello everyone. I want to take this opportunity to wish America a very happy birthday and to wish everyone a happy 4th of July. I also want to take just a moment to reflect on the events of the past several weeks and give what I like to call a lesson from the barber shop.
Capone's is a very diverse shop. Not only do we have a diverse selection of barbers, which is by design, not by accident. We have customers from all over the world. All of us have very different upbringings, cultural traditions, religious traditions and life experiences. But you know what? We all get along remarkably well. I can honestly say that I consider every barber at Capone's a member of my family. We may not all look alike, but we all stand side by side everyday, working in unison and harmony. Do we always agree on everything? Absolutely not. Do we scream at each other, point fingers of blame at each other, resort to name calling or walk out on each other? Absolutely not.
Topics of conversation inside the shop are just as diverse as our barbers and customers. We have discussed everything from the Greek debt crisis to Tiger Wood's struggles on the golf course. From a nuclear Iran to the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana and literally everything in between. I will admit that early on some of these conversations made me uncomfortable. Not because of the topics being discussed, but because I was worried that someone would become offended and begin lashing out. It never happened.
This goes to show that when done respectfully, people will listen and engage in discussions although they may not agree with anything you are saying. Of course you have to give them the same opportunity to speak their opinion, and you should listen with the same intensity that you speak.
The lesson I have learned from this is simple: You do not have to abandon your beliefs in order to be respectful and tolerant of people who believe differently. We can all get along, and we prove this everyday at the shop.
Have a great 4th of July everyone and be safe.
Until next time, Cheers.
