The use of mobile phones in an African American barbershop

The present study is a pioneer investigation on the interplay between African American barbershop culture and mobile phone use by its patrons. With most of the patrons in possession of cell phones and intermittently attending to them whether to receive or make calls; read or send messages or surf the internet; this study sought to uncover the effects of mobile phone usage on the traditional barbershop interactions. Barbershop culture largely thrives on face to face engagement and participative communication whereas mobile communication is individual based and personal. This study explored the effects of mobile phone usage on the activities occurring inside a barbershop The use of cell phones was found to be neither intrusive nor a threat to the barbershop's interactions. Mobile phones were seen to play a complementary role to the traditional function of the barbershop as a place where African American men congregate to receive hair grooming services; socialize; bond and acquire knowledge through dialogue.