Hair raising fact!

In France, did you know that the hairdressers are a very coveted and protected lot? Right from the common man on the street to the President François Hollande’s, who raked a storm when it was known that he spends $11,000 per month on his hair dresser; for all the French hair is a big deal.

This profession of hair dresser provides more employment than its famous wine industry. France today has some 83,000 hair salons, and 95,000 workers. The number of salons has grown 20% over the past decade. The French say that it is easier to find a hairdresser in many French villages than a butcher.

And one does not become a hair dresser, simply one fine day by picking up a comb and scissor. This is a proper course to be completed, a professional qualification is required to open a salon. It is a two-year course which includes a written exam in applied physics and chemistry and a three-hour written French paper.

Emmanuel Macron, when he was economy minister had proposed that bring down the need of this rigorous qualification; the entire community of hair dressers was up in arms. They struck work (another French trait) and took to the streets. Macron had to resign last month! So next time you visit France and are thinking of a haircut, be assured that you might get one of the best in Europe!