THE CASE FOR BACKSHAVING: 2nd Cup of Coffee, 9/28/2026
2nd Cup for 9/28/26: THE CASE For BACKSHAVING
2nd Cup of Coffee, September 11, 2017;
September 28, 2026
Stubborn anything is rarely good, and
settling for “good enough” isn’t much better.
I sat in SportClips, being trimmed up by a
new stylist. In a daily environment inundated with data and information, I’m
comfortable with silence. Hairdressers are not.
“That’s great cologne.”
Possible responses: “That’s blatantly sexist”, currently popular, if vapid. “Thanks, but I’m not wearing any. That’s my sparkling wit and great personality fuzzing the boundaries between senses.”
I had the thought I might’ve lost her somewhere in there, so no. When someone is holding sharp instruments near my ears, simple is always better.
“Thank you.”
Simple worked. With that intro, we segued
into a discussion about men clients and their, ah, interesting approaches to
hygiene. Well, she did. I’ve found I seldom get into trouble by keeping quiet.
Given the subject, I felt discretion was in order.
“When you’re standing mere inches from a man’s head, you notice things.” Snip-snip-snip/comb-comb . . .
“Like, take older guys, now—” (Careful, sister. My charm has limits.) “—It’s like they conveniently forget their whiskers grow along their jawline. They always come in here with stubble . . .”
Brow wrinkled, I waited for it.
“Except for you.” Her tone was wondering. Allow me to skip several sentences. . . .
“Backshaving.”
She actually froze for a second or two. I
explained how men who have a rough beard never just pull in one direction if
they want a smooth shave. Backshaving consists of harvesting whiskers in
several directions until the stubble cannot be easily felt.
You’re wondering where this is going.
I’ve been spending quiet time with the
apostle Peter. Reading this morning from 1 Peter 1:
“So roll up your sleeves, put your mind
in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives.
Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel
like doing. You didn’t know any better then, you do now . . . . You call out to
God for help and he helps–he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s
also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living. Your
life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.” (1:13-14,
17-18a, The Message)
Moving through my day with a smooth, clean look is important. Doing so with a clean heart and spirit is vital. It’s not enough to make extra effort to look good; I want to be and be doing good.
Yeah. You could call it spiritual backshaving–taking at least as much care to daily groom your heart, mind and spirit as you do your face and body.
Not glamorous, no. Yet a fine way to serve your generation as an example of a man or woman of excellence. Now, wait. I never said women backshave their faces. No, I—(Sigh…)
© D. Dean Boone, September 2026
