Eavesdropping / Listening in on Southland folks

Name: Jimmy Jackson

Age: 78

Profession: Barber

Alias: J.J.

Who: Jimmy Jackson, celebrating his 60th year as a barber. On a recent day, he is clipping customer No. 8, who also happens to be his 123,090th head, he estimates. Jackson could very well be the only barber around with a master’s degree in business education, but it’s the “magic of shears” that does it for him.

Where: Owl Barber Shop, 117 E. 6th St., downtown Los Angeles.

Still a bargain: In 1938, Jackson charged 25 cents for a haircut, 15 cents for a shave. Today, a Jackson haircut starts at $7.50 and a classic razor shave goes for $6.

Hours: Jackson is there from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The shop is open seven days a week.

His worst nightmare: The wishy-washy customers who change their minds--up to five times--in a sitting.

Barberspeak:

Bang: A cut in which the hair hangs over the forehead. Also called a fringe.

Bowl: A cut that became popular during the Great Depression--the ‘do created by placing a bowl on the head and cutting around the edge.

Buzz: All hair is an even, short length. The name comes from the sound of the electric clippers.

Caesar: Layered to 1 to 2 inches all over, brushed to a short fringe at the front.

Crew: Tapered at the back and sides, up to 1 inch high on top.

Fade: A short cut, hair at the back and sides tapered to zero length.

Flattop: A range of styles in which the top is cut into a flat surface.

Ivy league: Short and tapered at back and sides, cut close across the crown, a little longer in front.

Wisdom: “If you go to work happy, then you know it’s your calling.”