Barbers to open opposite the Plough

[Penguin68]

Surely 'anything for the weekend' simply reflects the fact that young men would be working during the week, and would anticipate 'partying' on a Saturday night, which would with luck segue into a Sunday morning. The offer to older, married, clientelle was as an 'homage' to earlier youthful vigours (and probably again implies that sexual activity and fun was often confined, through the exigencies of work starting early and being tiring, even to married people, to weekends). When the offers were originally being made, and barbers shops a natural source of supply, prophylactics were available to regulate family size when oral remedies (as it were) were not. So 'normal' family life would involve them. For people who lived in small local communities (as most did) the chemists assistant would be known to you and your family - an embarrasing source therefore for such a purchase (and doubly so if, as was common, a woman).

The concept of the 'dirty weekend' did not necessitate adultery - though it might imply pre-marital liaison - (indeed for most people weekend absences were more obvious - and hence for the married, weekends were a bad time to play away).

[bob]

Welcome to the house of fun.

Bob S

[bob]

A bit late it's the Asda end.

Bob S

[Seabag]

"Anthing for the weekend?"

Oh my god, now I know

I always politely answered "Probably a bit of Pork, or Lamb maybe, then a quick shuffle through the woods with the missus"

My barber generally smiled and politely shuffled me out of the shop

[stepover]

Just wondering if this has opened yet? I'm looking for a new Barbers so thought I'd give them a try.

[adsyb99]

Not yet, the outside of the shop looks done, but they were still doing work inside yesterday. I catch the bus outside every day, so I'll let you know. Shouldn't be too long though.

stepover Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Just wondering if this has opened yet? I'm looking

> for a new Barbers so thought I'd give them a try.

[Ant]

They're open today. I just popped in: haircut and beard trim for ?17 (incl. tip), and am happy with the result. Friendly service too. Looks to be a welcome addition to the Upper East Side. (Are we still calling it that?)

[Bic Basher]

Photos of the interior on the Mems Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/mems.barbers.9

[keane]

Just took my boys into Mem's the new barbers & would really recommend them, great boys cuts for ?9 and really friendly staff. Also a totally new experience for me in a barbers shop that I got offered wine, Turkish coffee, tea, or juice as part of the service & lovely for a mum waiting in barber shop!

[spark67]

Tried them saturday, really liked it, hair washed twice, good cut & friendly staff, declined the offer of wine, but only as I am off on me hols soon and decided not to drink for the 3 weeks before to lessen the damage done when away ;)

Like the uniform they wear, and the comfy sofas to wait on.

[fuzzy_dunlop]

Another vote for them here. Easily the finest barbers in the area.

[maxxi]

And another vote - had a cut there a week or two back; inexpensive, friendly and very good at what they do. The owner told me he had been waiting years for the right place to become available in ED.

[Cora]

Can I ask probably a bizarre question?....my 7yr old wants to grow his hair but it looks a mess! will a barber know how to cut it to grow longer well or do they just do short cuts?!

Thanks...

[mikeb]

Cora - from long experience of barbers both for me and my boys, it depends on how well you can describe what you want.

I had a cut and a shave at Mems today, which prompted my wife to say she'd never seen me looking so good (better late than ever). I have no doubt that they can do whatever cut you want, so long as you can describe it. Maybe a photo would help?

[Bic Basher]

-- moved topic --

[esme]

Yes they're open and look quite stylish, have seen a few men getting haircuts and close shaves :)

[Libby]

I took my son to Mems for a haircut today and was impressed. The young gentleman cutting his hair took time at every stage to make sure he was happy with the cut. And ... free chocolates and sprays of aftershave. Nice surroundings too.

[nic32]

I've been going to Mems in Penge for a while and they are great. Proper barbers and make the experience something special. Mr Mems on my firsthe visit took a small. Firebrand and singed my stray hairs from around my ears much to the amusement of my eight year old daughter. Thoroughly good service and for a tenner which is the charge in Penge amounts to excellent value, despite what an earlier post said. I'm 55 and the idea of ?6 is ridiculous.

I strongly recommend Mems and wish them all the success they deserve. I think I might ask for a free hair cut for that.

Nic