License to Trim
I've always found it baffling that haircutting is licensed by the state. A chat with a forty-year barber sent me down the history: Minnesota in 1897, fears of "barber's itch," and mostly economic gatekeeping against immigrant competition. If you don't like your cut, go elsewhere.
I had a chance conversation with a guy who has spent forty-something years working as a barber. I’ve always thought it baffling that hair cutting is licensed by the state. I’d really like to know the history of this gross over reach. There was once a time when you could just cut someone’s hair. At some point that started changing, gradually, I’m sure, with people giving a nod of consent to each small encroachment because it was framed as the common good. “You surely don’t want a repeat of that one hair cutting tragedy!” The only thing surprising about the current state of our [over]-regulation is that there aren‘t federal laws and regulations by which states must abide. At least I’m assuming the feds aren’t (yet?) in on this.
Anyway, back to barber: “licensing is important — you don’t want just anyone cutting your hair!” Yeah, I feel a ton better with the state giving credentials to my barber. I definitely haven't had any bad haircuts by licensed barbers, nooooo.
