Having grown up in a small upstate New York village, life was slow. My father owned a “service station”, my mother was a cook at a restaurant.

Just adjacent to the station was “Jack’s Barbershop”. On a regular basis my Dad would say “Go see Jack”. I would come home with a flat top (style of the times!).

Recently my older brother and I were talking about needing hair cuts. Now usually I would stop in anywhere that was convenient like while at the mall or after grocery shopping.

My brother always stops at a place called “Valentino’s”. Saturday morning I decided to go to Valentio’s.

Walking in the front door was like a trip back in time. Two elderly Italian gentlemen, old style barber chairs, magazines from the sixties and seventies and probably some of the same dust.

I realized, after watching and getting a hair cut, why my brother goes there… great customer service! It had been a long time since I had a haircut instead of a “style”. Old fashion service. The cut took a little longer than a style, but it was worth it.

Maybe, we in emergency services should slow down, take a few extra minutes with our customers… provide that old fashion service.

And by the way… I wound up with a flat top! Dad would be proud!

I got your back…
I know you have mine!



Posted by Steve on May 22, 2009 | Permalink & Trackback