Doc's Bag: Health and Science News
How Did Your Barber Get Their Stripes
Everyone Has Seen A Barber's Red, Blue,and White Pole. But What Does It Mean?
Do you know how many barbers there are in and around St Peters? I was surprised to find that within 15 miles of St. Peters there are 329 barbers. Many of the shops such as my barber’s shop are still independent. They don’t belong to a national chain. One thing that most have in common is the presence of a red, blue and white striped barber’s pole. Have you ever wondered what the pole stands for? What does a red, white and blue pole have to do with cutting hair? I was curious. So the last time I got a haircut, I asked my barber George. I pointed to the pole inside his shop and I asked, “Hey George, what does that pole mean?” George looked at me and then chuckled, “We used to be brothers doc. The pole stands for you and me. You did surgery, …
