Paul's Barber Shop

"Paul was rude to my big brother Steve LaRosa, then insulted him for being hispanic. When he told our mom, she cried"

"I called before hand to make an appointment for a haircut and Paul answered and told me to come in. When I arrived Paul seemed very irritated that I had long hair. I thought he was joking, but he was angry and explaining to the current customer he was cutting how he “can’t make a living off people with long hair” I told him I’m sorry and that I just need a simple trim and showed him a picture. He shook his head and looked at me like I was crazy. I said I can go somewhere else if this is too much, thinking he would say it’s okay and he’s just joking around. Instead he said “okay do me a favor and go somewhere else” I said really and got up and started walking out as he said “you must be crazy” this is completely unprofessional."

"Great haircut and welcome to the community. Thank you for fitting me in today, Mr. Paul"

"Best haircut every-time! MR Paul is a real professional! I moved to the area from California and was looking for a GOOD barber. I am so happy that I found Paul's Barber shop! I never could find a good barber in California! Definitely worth the price!"

"I have gone to Mr. Paul’s many times since moving to the area in 2014. I used to go once every couple of weeks. Actually, me and three of my sons. With COVID, I stopped going to barbers. Finally, I was ready to return, and I was getting ready to travel for work. I always like to support small, independent, local businesses when I could. I’ve recommended Paul’s to numerous friends who live close. Finally, after a long COVID hiatus, I was ready and excited about going to a barber shop. On this day, when I showed up, Paul was the only barber, and was cutting a customer’s hair. I greeted him kindly, as I usually do. No one else was in the shop. Paul shook his head immediately after I showed up. It seemed off from the usual friendly encounters. I though perhaps I was misreading it. Then, I realized I wasn’t. He said, “you showed up at the worst time. You don’t come in like 2 years, and now you showed up, but it’s appointment only now.” He was shaking his head as though he was irritated, as though customers are magically supposed to know this. Especially with COVID-19 and all. I’ve always walked in and happily waited for my turn. This was the normal practice. There’s no iPad check-in or screens. It’s cash only, old school, mom & pop style. Being I was the only one there, I’d have been happy to wait and see if there are any no shows, but the body language and tone of his voice, and the nonverbal communications threw me for a loop. What had I done to irritate this man? Nothing! I said, “OK, I can leave I guess, if you’d like. I’m traveling, just thought I’d pop in and try to get a cut.” “Good luck!” He said, and sarcastically, in front of another customer as I walked out. The crazy thing is, Mr. Paul has no website, no E-mail list for customers, and no online means for scheduling appointments. There was no way I could’ve known, especially since this is how they’ve always done business…repeat customers who are loyal and sit and chat and wait. I understand if it’s a social distancing thing, but that’s not what he said. There was no discussion. It was, for the first time, rude and abrupt. I’m sorry to have experienced this, as I’ve always spoken so highly to everyone in the area about Mr. Paul’s, but after this 1 minute encounter, I will not bring myself to visit this place again. I’m worth more than that, and I work hard for my money to spend it in a place that doesn’t value my presence enough to treat me as a human being. Today I’ll buzzcut my own hair as I’ve been doing for the past year. Next week, I’ll go find a new barber in Glenside or Abington or elsewhere. There are plenty of them."