Strays, Haircuts, and the Golden Rule

Last updated on: April 14, 2023 at 3:57 am by Gregory T. Smith

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Strays, Haircuts, and the Golden Rule 2023-04-07T15:23:08-08:00 Gregory T. Smith

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You can make the world a better place by the way you treat the two-legged and four-legged “strays” of the world.

Brown dog on checkered floor

Guinness, the barbershop dog. Photo by author.

Haircuts for Our Neighbors on the Street

I’m writing this while waiting to get trimmed at Sunny’s Barbershop in Bellingham, Washington, getting my hair cut by Sunny herself for the first time. Why am I here, when I normally go somewhere else? Two days ago, I brought in a client who is currently experiencing homelessness. The client got a new job and wanted to look clean to make a good impression on his first day. He had a “homeless look” to him and wanted to look respectable. When I brought him in, Sunny asked if we were related. I told her that we are “just friends,” although I think she could tell there was some other relationship there. Although my client was obviously on the bottom rung of the social ladder, Sunny treated him with such care and respect that I was impressed with her service.

While he was getting his haircut and beard trim, I went outside to make a phone call. Another “homeless-looking” gentleman rode up on his bike. He asked if the barber was any good and if there was a line. I told him that it was my first time there, but that there was no line for service. He went through the door and asked for a full shave—he wanted his scraggly beard and hair completely gone! (There’s only one reason I can think of for a man experiencing homelessness in the winter to want all his hair gone.) Again, I watched as Sunny and her staff treated him with care, compassion, professionalism, and respect.

By the time my client was done, I had to remark how he looked like a certain celebrity doppelganger—a sex symbol by anyone’s estimate. Sunny did an amazing job! She not only made him look good, but she made him feel good as well!

Supporting Those Who Support Others

So, I figured I would give her my business. I want to make a point of promoting local businesses that show care, professionalism, and respect to our most marginalized population. It doesn’t cost me any more for Sunny to cut my hair than I would spend elsewhere—plus, I get to support those who support others! Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all promoted the care of the most vulnerable in our society?

The Golden Rule

Wouldn’t it also be a better place if we all treated others the way we want to be treated? That’s what Sunny did. In Matthew 7:12 ESV, Jesus said, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” It’s pretty simple. If you were unsheltered, how would you want people to treat you? Would you want them to refuse you service because you looked or smelled bad? Would you want them to treat you with disrespect, turn up their noses, and whisper behind your back? Of course not!

Many world religions believe the same thing. They say, “Don’t treat others the way you wouldn’t want to be treated.” But Jesus turned this around to a positive statement. We call it the Golden Rule. How would be if everybody followed it? We’d all walk around all day showing people the love and respect they deserve, regardless of their social standing, and no matter whether they reply in kind. And that little thing would change the world.

The “Strays” You Meet in Life

The dog pictured above is Guinness, a rescue pet that Sunny keeps around her shop. He shows love to everybody who comes in. Why? Because he’s been shown love in this place. Do you want to have a better experience with the “strays” you meet in your life? Instead of judging them, welcome them in. Show them some love. You never know who you are rescuing by treating another person with kindness and respect.