This barber has cut hair for 60 years

PHOTO AGENCE QMI, JOEL LEMAY
Jean-Pierre Pigeon is working from 57 years in the Salon liquid, Beaconsfield. Over the years, he has had the chance to showcase her talents as a hairdresser in conventions, including at the hotel Maxim, on the rue Lajeunesse, in 1964.

Vincent Larin

Monday, 26 February, 2018 01:00

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Monday, 26 February, 2018 01:00

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By entering in to a hair salon on the boulevard in Sherbrooke in 1958 to find a job, Jean-Pierre Pigeon had no idea that he would cut always hair 60 years later.

This Montrealer who had just celebrated his 77th birthday said that he still works with as much passion as in its infancy. His very busy schedule of 50 hours of work per week does not pose any problem. He rarely permits more than two weeks of vacation per year.

“It’s disrupting the customer. And for work, it allows me to keep in shape. If I’m at home 48 hours, I am not well “, lance-t-il.

It captures his joy of working in front of the nice atmosphere of the Salon Liquid, located in a small shopping centre in Beaconsfield, in the west of the island, where he has worked for 57 years.

“The last time I was done, it ended like this,” joke his boss, Nick Caruso, during the interview, revealing his baldness, hidden under his cap.

Two things convinced at the time, Jean-Pierre Pigeon to opt for this career : his artistic spirit and, of course, the salary of 18 dollars a week.

PHOTO COURTESY

The hotel Maxim, rue Lajeunesse, in 1964.

$ 1.75 per cup

“It was very well paid anyway. The rooms were also always looking for men to practice the craft because it was missing a lot, ” he recalls.

A hair cut for woman was costing around 1.75 dollar, ” he remembers.

The belle epoque of the hairstyle, however, seems to miss him.

“People would come more often. Before it was a ritual. Every Friday, mrs. arrived at the same time with her knitting or a book, we sit under the dryer and it could take 1: 30. Now, people no longer have the time “, he complained.

28 client

His record of 28 clients in one day could not be beaten in such circumstances, he believes, since each customer asks for his full attention.

Now, young people prefer the hair of “rights” and, above all, the mode of standing is visibly dimmed, ” says the veteran stylist.

A little psychologist

“Before, fashion that was for everyone, but now people wear more suits them “, he adds.

Year-to-year, the role of the psychologist, the hairdresser has also gained importance, according to Mr. Pigeon, when the couples started to divorce more frequently.

“I had several clients who had no one to talk to, then it is me who was playing a little role there and they came to confide in “, he explains.

Even today, many of these same customers still come to visit him.

Also, his advice to the younger generation is : “Be patient, building a customer base it takes time. “