Barber shops have been around for a very long time, and they continue to be a place where you unwind, relax and alleviate any pressure or anxiety that you may have. The important thing when it comes to barber shops is they do have different traditions worldwide. The first barber shop in the world was called Truefitt & Hill and it was established in 1805. It still exists today, albeit in a different iteration.

But that goes go show that barber shops are all about legacy, pushing the limits and experimenting, but also sticking to the old school traditions that brought this to the forefront. And it’s quite interesting to see that many barber shops worldwide maintain the same legacy, but as we said, there are differences between them as well. It depends on where those barber shops come from, among many others.

Atmosphere and design

When we are comparing Italian and American barber shops, a few things immediately come to mind. The atmosphere is, by far, one of the most important aspects to consider here. In the case of an Italian barber shop, you will notice they feel like a boutique grooming salon. These have ornate mirrors, brass fixtures, polished wood, marble counters and timeless elements in general. It’s all about creating an intimate, calm and elegant experience.

At the same time, grooming is seen as a sign of style, grace and dignity in Italy. You will have classical music in the background, some even offer expresso to clients. And that’s the thing, it’s all about creating the environment and pushing the limits in a way that’s very different. It’s more of a ritual rather than a pit stop.

And that’s how most American barber shops are. Simply put, they have the red, white and blue barber poles, and inside the atmosphere is very friendly. Most modern barber shops in the US tend to combine modern elements with traditional ones. Some focus more on the vintage elements and others are all about the newer aspects, which is a thing to take into account here.

Techniques

Naturally, the difference isn’t all about the atmosphere and design. It also comes down to the techniques used and craftsmanship, which is certainly something to take into consideration here. American barbers are all about adding a sense of versatility and they try to be as efficient as possible. They are the ones that focus more on sharp beard lines, clean fades, buzz cuts and anything of that matter. At the same time, they use clippers and all kinds of elements designed to enhance the experience while pushing it to the next level every single time.

For American barbers, they do focus on classic services like taper haircuts, fades, crew cuts as well as flat tops, but also beard trims or hot towel shaves. And then we have modern influences, including those from social media. You can find a great combination of old and new styles here, and that’s something to be expected.

What can you expect from an Italian barber? Things are a little different, with the idea is that here you are mostly working with artisans. Unlike Americans, Italians will use scissors instead of clippers, which does allow them to have more control over shapes and textures, something to keep in mind. Italian barbers also tend to offer additional things with the haircut, like:

• Scalp massage, using aromatic oils
• Beard contouring and straight razor shave services
• Pre-shave oil treatments and hot towels
• Facial harmony and style consultation

Clearly, Italian barbers are all about bringing in a very good experience and more immersion. It’s not only about the barber act itself, it’s also bringing in the idea of pampering and precision. That does help quite a lot, and it can help provide a more consistent result in the long term.

Social culture

In Italy, going to the barber shop is more of a personal and quieter experience. It’s a place of refinement and ritual. A lot of people tend to go to the same barber for years or even decades, so there is an inherent sense of loyalty. They still focus a lot on the idea of connectivity, sharing expertise and trying to push the limits in a way that’s different, yet cohesive. They do focus more on tradition and not exactly on socialization.

In the US, socialization is at the core of it all. They don’t focus as much on the idea of establishing a powerful cultural heritage, and instead they are all about community and remaining deeply connected to the culture itself. It’s all about bringing in a sense of belonging with the community, while conveying a more consistent and cohesive result, something you will appreciate more than expected.

Grooming philosophy

The thing we have to realize is that we are talking about different cultures. So, right off the bat, you will have a plethora of differences. For example, in the US, going to the barber is an inherent part of your identity. People go to a barber shop with the idea of improving their look and trying to push their boundaries in the best possible way. With that in mind, they do come from some maintenance, there are walk-ins and express services. But in general, you will find that grooming continues to be all about presentation and confidence,