Afser Saloon

Being right on the G T Road in Howrah means there is never really a quiet moment at Afser Saloon. The traffic noise from the trucks and buses outside in the Bataitala area is just something we have gotten used to over the years. I usually start the day by splashing some water on the pavement outside to keep the dust down before the first customers arrive. The shop in Shibpur isn't very large so we have to be careful about where we put the chairs and the mirrors. We have two main chairs that have seen a lot of use and the leather is starting to crack a little on the edges. I keep the scissors and combs in a small tray by the sink and make sure I have enough clean towels for the afternoon. Most of our regulars are men from the neighborhood who have been coming here since they were boys. We talk about the local news or how the weather is getting too humid even for Howrah. Sometimes the electricity goes out and we just have to leave the door open for light while we finish up the cut. It’s a simple way to make a living and we don't try to make it more than it is. The floor gets covered in hair pretty fast so I am always reaching for the broom between jobs. It’s just how it goes here every day from morning until we close up late at night and head home.