The barber shop relationship has always been awkward for me. Here’s this guy with sharp scissors and razor blades haphazardly cutting hair while telling the latest gossip. I try not to distract him with too much idle chit chat because I don’t want to accidentally lose an ear.
I’ve been going to this barber for a few years now, mainly because his shop is literally adjacent to my office. It’s quick and convenient. But yesterday things took a turn for the worse when he asked me about “that black guy you work with.” He seemed shocked that a black guy worked for an engineering firm. He continued questioning me about his intelligence and so on. Well, I defended my friend, who happens to be very intelligent a faithful Christian. To say the least the conversation made me feel uncomfortable.
This was not the first incident. A few months ago he casually offered me a porno mag to read while I waited. I chuckled nervously as I said “No thank you” hoping he was joking. I don’t think he was.
So this brings the question, should I change barbers? What is my Christian duty in this situation? On one hand, I could take my business elsewhere to a Christian (or less overtly pagan) barber. If I do that, then maybe I should also stop eating at restaurants or shopping at stores owned by unsaved people.
On the other hand, I could continue to go to him with the motive of being a witness to Christ. I could share the gospel with him or invite him to church. The latter is (for me) the more difficult. Yet I feel compelled that this is the right choice.
I’ll update y’all next month when its time for a trim.
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