I Found the BEST Haircut in Bangladesh and Here’s What Happened

by | Bangladesh Stories, Featured Daily Joy, On Youtube

My 30-Day Experiment with Creative Freedom involved immersing myself in Bengali culture and toying with a new look.

In this video, Ibrahim and I visit a local barber shop.It was about a different haircut and shave experience than was traditionally used to. It was about expanding my comfort zone.

Best Ways to Explore a City Like a TRUE Local

Don’t hesitate to take the leap, embrace risks, and accept your imperfections. Remember, creativity isn’t solely about producing something extraordinary; it’s also about the process, journey, and growth accompanying it. For me, it’s about trying out a new look.

Oh yeah, I know what you’re saying. ” Hey man, it’s only a haircut.” But this was not just a shave and trim but a creative expression.

Although Bangladesh is a poor country, predominantly Islamic, its young men take great pride in looking dapper.

Don’t fall into the stereotypical belief that Muslim beards are all large and unkempt. Untamed beards are okay, but not always the norm. According to the Sunnah tradition followed by all the prophets, including the final Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), a Muslim beard should be extended, neat, and outlined.

Back home, I had fallen into a rut and, quite frankly, not caring about a good pampered ‘quaff’ (haircut and beard trim).  

In the end, it’s ONLY hair. Looking back over the last two decades, I’ve sported countless whimsical looks. I’m not trying to be a chameleon but simply having fun expressing whatever life phase I face (pun intended).

Besides, messing with makeup and jewelry, as my more gender-fluid counterparts do, is a tad beyond my comfort zone (except on Halloween). 

Plus, the temporary state of any appearance reminds us of mortal impermanence. ‘Hair today, gone tomorrow.’ –eh!

It’s essential to maintain a well-groomed beard to create a positive impression.

By comparison, a good beard trim in Toronto is not cheap. In Bangladesh, you can get a fantastic haircut for a few bucks. The guy will massage your neck and back, giving you a good old-fashioned trim.

I find all iterations of a Muslim beard kind of hot! Perhaps the rebel in me prefers not to look like my clean-cut Christian past.

Or is it because I found most wild bearded men I’ve met fascinating?

Or it could be that I’ve over-embraced my heartfelt affiliation with Islam and my newfound Muslim Brotherhood. — There is a proud connection happening on my end.

RAW Clips – The Joy of a Gentleman’s Cut and Beard Trim in Bangladesh

Bangladesh men regularly visit their local barber. Given Canada’s inflationary situation, I am envious that they can afford regular cuts because, in Canada, a good ‘quaff’ seems out of reach for most budget-conscious guys.

A gentleman’s haircut and beard trim in Toronto typically cost around $58, not including tip. In Ibrahim’s village of Kuakata, Bangladesh, the same haircut and trim cost a whopping $1 to 3.00, including a head and neck massage (for foreigners).

Your Bengali barber will be ecstatic if you add a $5.00 tip (a must for Westerners). Who knows, for another $10, he might name something after you: A goat, firstborn, one of his chickens……..(respect)

Alhamdulillah, for my privileged lifestyle. Ibrahim and I always made sure we tipped well. I doubt most of my friends and family fully grasp how blessed they are to live in such an abundant, developed country like Canada!

 

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I will shave when Ibrahim gets his Tourist Visa.

My 63 Birthday saw me looking more like a self-imposed homeless man than a desired silver fox. 

2022-23 were frustrating years of painful, expensive, unreasonable and unnecessary Visa delays for Ibrahim’s journey to finally live with me courtesy of Canada’s Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) dysfunction. 

Related: Why You Must Speak Truth to Power When Painfully Denied a Tourist Visa

In the final months of our battle with the Visa Masters, I committed not to cut or trim until Ibrahim was granted a well-deserved Visa.

Not trimming was a heartfelt, nieve protest (no one cared) and a ‘significant-other’ solidarity move that comforted Ibrahim and me somewhat. If you must suffer, then I will suffer — I thought.  

One only appreciates a man’s beard once it is professionally trimmed. 

Ultimately, Ibrahim was granted his Canadian Visa, and I shaved ten years off my appearance. 

The Surprising Benefits of Giving Yourself Creative Freedom!

Come with me as we explore Alipour Kuakata, Bangladesh, for a one-of-a-kind grooming experience!  From a relaxing massage to a refreshing face wash, the whole experience is something special.

Remember, live, love, and learn. Get out there. Get off your butt. Experience the world. Get a nice haircut. Get a different haircut. Get a beard. Trim. Get a life. Have a life.
-Love you guys Daniel~Ibrahim

We started this 60-second Daily JOY Reel by collecting raw clips and images shot on an iPhone in Bangladesh in 2022.

Thanks to our collective efforts, in August 2024, I compiled all the b-roll and crafted a revised clip on Final Cut Pro to fit our ’60-second Daily Joy Reel’ format.

Then I added the new ‘IbraDan Creative’ 4-second bumper at the end and burned in captions using https://www.rev.com

We had fun recording this video and tried different angles along the way. This is more than a visit to the barber; it’s a look at Alipour Kuakata’s fantastic culture and hospitality.

There are many ways to uncover your unique creative path; each is a doorway to a new experience, insight, and discovery. Today, it was a Bangladeshi Barber trip. Tomorrow, it will be something else.

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YouTube Details

https://youtu.be/GT3S7mqKduI

Bangladesh may be an impoverished, predominantly Islamic country, but the young men take great pride in looking dapper. They regularly visit the local barber.

Bangladesh Hair Salon, Bangladesh Haircut, Bangladesh Street Barber, Bangladesh Stylists, Hairstyle, Men’s Grooming, Sex Hair

Come with me to Alipour Kuakata, Bangladesh, for a one-of-a-kind experience! In this video, I visit a local barber shop where it’s not just about the haircut but also the shave. From a relaxing massage to a refreshing face wash, the whole experience is something special.

We had fun recording this video and tried different recording angles along the way. This is more than a visit to the barber; it’s a look at the fantastic culture and hospitality of Alipour Kuakata. Don’t miss this fun and simple adventure!

Don’t fall into the stereotypical belief that Muslim beards are all large and unkempt. Untamed beards are ok but not always the norm.

According to the Sunnah tradition followed by all the prophets, including the final Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), maintaining a well-groomed beard is essential for creating a positive impression.

I find all iterations of a Muslim beard kind of hot! Perhaps the rebel in me prefers not to look like my clean-cut Christian past.

A gentleman’s haircut and beard trim in Toronto typically cost around $58, not including tip. In Ibrahim’s village of Kuakata, Bangladesh, the same haircut and trim cost a whopping $1 to 3.00, including a head and neck massage (for foreigners).

Your Bengali barber will be ecstatic if you add a $5.00 tip (a must for Westerners). Who knows, for another $10, he might name something after you: A goat, firstborn, one of his chickens……..(respect)