Barberie Giuliano in the Piazza Matteotti in Cagli, Italy Photos by Mac Hansen
By John Gantus
Tucked away in a shop on a corner of Piazza Matteotti, a barber quickly but carefully shaves the face of one of his clients. A small, simple place, the barbershop seems a little bit disorganized, with a fan the only source of cool air. This barbershop is clearly different from the clean, work-centered barbershops found in America. Three black chairs sit in a row with tables containing a clutter of cleaning supplies in front of them. A boy sits on one of the chairs, obviously there to socialize, while an older man sits in a different chair waiting for the barber to shave him. The barber walks out from behind the curtain with shaving cream in his hand.
Vagnarelli has been a barber in Cagli for over 30 years.
The barber is Giuliano Vagnarelli, and his barbershop, Barbiere Giuliano, has been a staple in the community for over 30 years.
He is a short, stocky middle-aged man with bushy eyebrows, long curly black hair, and a small patch of hair under his lip as the only distinguishable facial hair on his stubbly face which delivers a warm and welcoming smile. He puts a handful of cream on the man’s face and shaves downward; he then reapplies the cream and shaves upward, giving the man a crisp, clean shave. The barber applies one cream that seals up all the cuts followed by an aftershave that leaves the skin soft.
“Can I get one next?” yells a boy in Italian. The barber smiles, “Only if you trust me,” he responds in a low Italian voice. The rest of the customers, most of whom are there not to get a haircut, but simply to socialize, erupt in laughter. The man who has received the shave promptly hands him 4 euro and walks out into the piazza.
Giuliano Vagnarelli was born in Cagli on November 18, 1953. At a young age his parents, who were not barbers, sent him to be a barber’s apprentice. When asked why they wanted him to be a barber, Vagnarelli smiles and responds that he was not good at studying and his parents felt it was better that he go to work rather than live on the streets. He began working as an apprentice at the age of 17 in Gabicce Mare located about 17 kilometers away from Rimini. After working for three years as an apprentice, he became a full time barber there, but realized that he wanted to return home and open his own barber shop, Barbiere Giuliano, which he has owned ever since.
Asked whether he gives more haircuts to men or woman, he chuckles and proudly says, “No women; only men.” Vagnarelli has an even number of younger and older clients with whom he discusses everything. What they talk about depends on the client, but older clients seem to prefer to discuss politics and gossip while younger clients prefer sports.
Vagnarelli grew up and attended school with many of his older clients, including one who is both his best friend and who has been coming to his shop the longest. He quickly adds that even though these men are his friends, they will go to another barber if they feel that they are not satisfied with the way that their haircut or shave looks. Which helps him stay motivated. Clients continue to come back to him because he is friendly, he’s good at his work, and he does a thorough job.
Vagnarelli has a very modest establishment and provides a variety of services, charging very little money. A shave is 4 euro, a shampoo is 10 euro, and a haircut is 10 euro. He gives roughly 10-15 haircuts a day with Saturday and Tuesday being his busiest days. He gives more haircuts than shaves because people now rely on electric razors in the comfort of their own homes rather than going to the piazza and paying 4 euro for a better shave.
Although Vagnarelli claims that the atmosphere is the same in all barbershops around Cagli, Barbiere Giuliano seems to have a different feel: people come around not only to get a haircut but to enjoy his company. Asked how the atmosphere differs in various barbershops, Vagnarelli responds, “There are high class barbershops where the atmosphere is different, but this is an ordinary barbershop for ordinary people.” He indicates that customers do not just come for a haircut, but rather come around to read the newspaper and talk with him about the various things going on in Cagli.
When asked about the competition among barbers, Vagnarelli confidently replies that yes, there is competition among the other barbers of Cagli, but he embraces it because it makes him try harder to stay on top of the competition. What does he think makes a good barber? He responds that professionalism is the most important thing for a barber in Cagli, and his professionalism allows him to stay ahead of the competition.
Vagnarelli finishes up with his customer and applies the cream to seal up the cuts. The cream stings the customer’s face, and he cringes as Vagnarelli smiles and quietly chuckles. One of the younger people loitering around the barbershop grabs the sports section of the newspaper and shows Vagnarelli something. Although Vagnarelli claims that the atmosphere in all of the barbershops is the same, Barbiere Giuliano is very different from the rest. It is a place that people can go not only to enjoy a great haircut, but also the company of a man who through his friendly service and warm nature has served the people of Cagli for a long time.
Tradtional Shaving is done at Barberia
Vaganarelli socializing with customers
Web production by Mary Deneen
