old buffer of the day award

Alexander Chancellor:

As was confirmed this week in a survey of the retail scene, many high streets convey the impression of a populace so decadent that it spends its time having its hair cut and its nails polished between visits to the betting shop and the pawnbroker. The proliferation of hairdressers is especially dispiriting because of their tendency to be given infuriating names like "Mane Street" or "Shear Magic" or "Hair Razor", none of which titles enhance the dignity of an ancient town. Nail salons are a prominent feature of all American towns, so maybe their arrival here is just another imported trend.

That last sentence would have been improved if it started with the phrase “My catamites tell me...”

Incidentally, the Guardian is going to be giving us less news and more analysis in future. Oh, joy.

Comments

[Charlie]

But then, I fear that my writing will become like his, so maybe he has a role as a negative example?

[Alex]

He could have turned to the news pages of his own paper yesterday to see that the reason for this is very simple: they're really cheap businesses to set up, if they work at all they're a quick cash turnover, and a lot of people are out of work.

[jamie]

Yeah, nail technician classes are really popular at the local college. It's thought of as a good solid trade for women and you can rent shopfronts cheaply round here, at least off the main drag.

[Alex]

Also, if you have to have a failing business you might as well have one where you're bound to see all your mates during the normal course of the day.

[dsquared]

They also in many instances work on the Peter Stringfellow business model - the nail-painters are freelance contractors who pay a fee to the person on the shopfront lease for the privilege of touting their wares

[gucci outlet]

I agree you.you're right.

[Brian M]

gucci outlet...responsible for the disappearance of "quality" shops from high streets (and main streets) everywhere. gucci outlet, you nefarious fiend...you are to blame. :)