The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-17
TIE MEN VINO TALK.
Customers, Not BARRIERS. tho Cause Of Con-
versation, Says Ono OF the Latter.

Customers, Not BARRIERS. tho Cause Of Con-
versation, Says Ono OF the Latter.
The little barber was inclined to be unoom-
municatvo and confined his attention strictly
TO shaving his customer This rather unusual
mood bothered the customer and after several
Intellectual attempts to engage tho little barber
in conversation, he asked
why don't you say something moro than
'yes'and NOT Usually you are perfectly willing
IN talk and especially 10 when the man you are
shaving wishes to be lot alone
That's right retorted the little barber he
made a vicious dab with his iather brush and
managed TO insert tho tip OF Il In his victims
mouth. That's right OF course, We BARRIERS
always want 10 talk-not It's Just you people
that como In here expecting 20 he entertained
while you lie back in tho chair that cause BARRIERS
IN keep up a conversation while they arc sha wing
you. It's a funny idea that everybody seems
to have that a barber Is a sort OF an encyclopedia
anxious 10 furnish information on every con-
ceivablo subject Tho truth Of the matter Is that
the barber would rather that there should bo no
conversation. II takes his mind of his work
and then unless he agrees in every paTt!cula
with the man in the char. the latter II very apt
Co take offence and quit the rlace
THAT may seem drawing rather strong
but 1t Is mild one dnv last week thero was a
man In this chair who made about the same re-
mark that you did jus, and told him Just
about what have said to you lie wanted to
make bet, and | accommodated him bet
that the great majority Of men who cams In dur
ing the day wouli begin the conversation, while
h. took the opposite view We each had niece
OF paper and after We had noted down twenty.
seven men he handed me the money and went
out without a word Out Of that twontyseven
all hut four had started the conversation
and had done their best TO prolong IL
The nrst man had a small package wrapped
up in a newspaper in his hand when he entered
As | was latheIing him he asked: DO you know
what there il In that package" ! hastened ia
assure him that was no m hnima and va. willing
IT'S a couple Of pieces Of pipe that have been
subject 10 rlectrolvsia and are curiously worn.
AM Win ma, he started h to ia about the thing
clcctruiysis and what a fortune he would realize
from II l!e was still talking about II when tho
e. n man sitting in ono Of the chairs and waiting
tor his turn until the man went over to the stand
in the corner and had his shoes ahmed to escape
Next came man who knew all nbou, prize.
nChung had 10 listen 10 the history o: every
SnI called him down Tor Slipping up on d",e
until the man who had called him down LEFT tho
shop and then informed me that he could prove
Then there was one. Of these real wisr guys
cnms In and wanted a shampoo. He was pretty
near the limit There wasn't single suhiec,
that he wasn't thoroughly informed on--in his
own estimation. And he wanted everybody in
the place to know what he knew. II" could give
you moro misin'ormhtibn In less time than any.
body | ever m-t before one 81 my regular rus
TONER'S came In then and ns he hrpcared good
natured smiled al him. Who told you abou,
N?' he asked when he saw me smile.
4. "'Ahout what saws
| -'Why my li,tl" adventure with that tour~'
| you picked out for me. he answered. and then
I he went on and told mo all about H.
! III kept up that way all neutrality-suspicious.
noli'ic'. sport business nnd rvery,hine YOU cnuls
think NJ. And had 10 appear Interested in each
subject GU, Of nll the men who came in M
two talked on IN" same subject. All hut foul
! hogan tho conversation. Half of them went on
dissatisfied because had dared to disagree with
their views, and the other half probably set ms
down a. a fool And vet YOU say that the barrie,
always wants to talk. Come In here some day
and sit for while and then wonder why don
care to do rapid.nre conr,'sation turn will
every mnn tn at sits in the - "ir'
PAY at the desk Thai... Oh. ar Next"