Poll: Should State Regulate Iconic Barber Poles?

The iconic rotating red, white and blue pole found outside of traditional barber shops is now at the center of new legislation. 

State Sen. John Gleason, D-Flushing, is pushing for legislation that will allow Michigan to join 10 other states that regulate the display of barber poles for only licensed barbers, according to The Detroit News. The lawmaker said he would like the pole to continue to be a symbol of traditional, fully licensed barbers, rather than any place that offers haircutting services.

The bill was introduced in November, according to michiganvotes.org, and would prohibit establishments like hair salons from using the barber pole unless there was an accredited barber offering services there.

Barber skills

Barbers must complete 2,000 hours of coursework at a licensed barber college and pass an examination approved by the board and the department, according to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Cosmetologists in Michigan are required to complete 1,500 hours with different requirements.

Traditionally, the meaning of the barber pole dates back to pre-modern medicine, when barbers performed a set of very specific skills, including some minor surgeries. White symbolizes bandages, red for blood and blue represents veins.

Though the services have become slightly more modest, it's still what licensed barbers use to denote their training and skills.

Michael Curry, owner of Ferndale’s barber shop, said he definitely sees the concern behind the proposed legislation for that exact reason. “It is an issue. The pole signifies barbers. I don’t think you should use it if you haven’t been trained (as a barber),” he said.

His shop has only licensed barbers, and Curry said his clientele is made up of men looking for that kind of service. “When you see that sign, you know that stands for a barber shop and not a salon. It stands out,” he explained.

A job for the government?

While Curry believes the iconic barber pole denotes a specific meaning to customers, he’s not so sure about a law regulating its use.

“If you’re not using it for a negative reason, I don’t mind. I don’t have a copyright on it,” he said.

Steven Bonacorsi, owner of barber shop, takes a similar standpoint.

He calls it “deceiving” when salons display barber poles though they cannot offer the same services as a licensed barber. He’s just not sure a law is the right way to fix the problem.

“There’s nothing you can do to stop anyone. You can order a barber’s pole anywhere,” he said.

Bonacorsi said that even around Ferndale, establishments use the barber pole even though they don’t have licensed barbers. “I definitely think it’s misleading, but there’s no one regulating it. It’s just a gimmick to get men in there.”

The quality of work speaks for itself, he added.

Steven B’s advertises as a fully licensed barber shop, and Bonacorsi said his shop been approved by the barber board after inspection. For him, this means not only attracting male clientele looking for his specific skill, but he said it’s led him to fixing a lot of haircuts.

Though it's a rising dilemma in his profession, Bonacorsi thinks it’s one that should be corrected only by clientele knowing exactly what they are looking for and what they are going to get. Regardless of the outcome, he said his work will always reflect his training as a barber and that there would still likely be a market of clients looking for licensed professionals.

“They can slap a barber pole up, but I stand behind the quality of my work. I know what I’m doing," he said. “As far as making a law … there’s a fine line on how much you want the government controlling you,” he said.

The other side

Some lawmakers are also calling for the government not to get involved.

State Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, proposed that Michigan remove its licensing procedures for barbers back in March, The Detroit News reported.

"I just think this is one of many areas that (people) just don't need the government's … permission to have a job," he told The News. "I'm just saying you can be a barber without having to pay the government some kind of a fee and have them overseeing how you cut hair."