It sounds plebeian to talk of rising costs of doing mundane jobs and associated toiletries like shaving every morning that basically entails a functional razor (available in various designer styles), the shaving foam or creams of various brands and the brush to apply it. This is a ritual office going people must follow along with the dress code unless sporting a macho beard, that’s needs trimming & shaping or parlour styled by the more trendy !
In an interview, famed singer Arijit Singh replete with beard, had confessed that he had initially found shaving in Mumbai very costly. For the uninitiated, men’s parlours that have mushroomed across cities, charge anything around 150 to 600, depending on type of shave (regular or beard styling) & on how high-end the location of the outlet is. Some salons may offer add-ons like hot towel treatment, pre-shave oil or post shave balm. So one may shell out extra bucks but will emerge glowing, as the rich stars & models do.
Which quintessentially reminds us of the young days when even the best shaving creams (remember Kapil’s line ‘Palmolive Da Jawab Nahi’) would cost around 25 bucks but the branded ones (Old Spice, Gilette, Denim etc) now come in the range of 75 to 80. With most of the present trend-setting leaders, celebrities, stars, cricketers, who are role models for our youth, sporting the bearded look, the market for shaving creams has been dented & prices can’t come down. For us, altering the old clean shaven appearance to one covered with grey-black facial hair might not suit and even create KYC problems.
Apart from the mirror showing us daily signs of aging, even an act like shaving can teach us some life lessons. Recently, my friendly neighborhood kirana merchant said – ‘Dada, why not try this brand – it has more by weight and is much cheaper’. Though my basics of economics told me ‘higher quality dictates higher cost’, I decided to give it a try. To my surprise, the cheaper shaving cream felt almost as good as the expensive ones. It’s all due to marketing jazz & fascination with brands, that makes us avoid less costly goods.
When I shared this thought with my wife she nodded with appreciation. That’s why we negotiate with all vendors, they overcharge but we know what’s right, she said ! Yes, we may or mayn’t sport a luxurious beard but let’s remember ‘All that glitters is not gold’ !
Working on Living 