A Woman in a Barbershop?

Image source: ChatGPT

A few days ago, I saw a video of a woman sitting in a local Indian barbershop, getting a head massage from a man, while surrounded by 2–3 men. The video’s caption reads, “Always wanted to know what the fuss is about.”

It blew my mind. Watching this scene wasn’t on my 2026 list. Someone even commented, “Women in a male-dominated field.”

It was amusing for the audience, as she had the same ‘satisfying’ expression on her face as a man would have while getting those massages.

I love how today’s generation isn’t afraid of anything. They aren’t shy to try things because masculinity/femininity won’t allow it. They just casually do “out of the box” things anyway.

How Human Truth Shapes Advertising

The father of advertising, David Ogilvy, hated the phrase “thinking outside the box” because he believed advertising should never be artsy or sugar-coated. Instead, it should have an X-factor that connects with consumers emotionally while conveying the necessary information.

So, when I saw this girl sitting over there in a barbershop, many things came to my mind. The first thing was that this was a very 90s, cinematic shot. Nostalgia hit as I remembered going to the barbershop with my father.

My dad always asked the barber to give me a bob cut. But the best part of those barbershops wasn’t the haircut — it was the atmosphere. The entire room filled with the scent of aftershave became part of the experience. Through the large mirror in front of me, I could see men sitting behind me, waiting for their turn. And then there was that old retro TV, always playing a movie, a cricket match, or those evergreen ’90s songs that somehow made the place feel timeless.

This struck me with an advertising idea:

1. Imagine the woman is wearing a white shirt and grey trousers. After getting a head massage, she gets up from the chair, pays the barber, puts on her grey blazer, and walks down the lane. She takes out her phone, smiles at the name “The Velvet Room” on Google Maps, and then glances at the barbershop’s signboard, which, fyi, reads the same name. She smiles and taps the five-star rating, saves the business, and exits the screen.

The screen now reads:

Worth the detour.

Google Maps

Why Does the Ad Work?

Until the last few seconds, would you have guessed it was a Google Maps advertisement? Probably not.

This ad unfolds in 3 layers:

1. A woman in a barbershop.
2. A woman is getting a head massage from a barber after work, showing that men aren’t the only ones who enjoy this simple pleasure after a long, tiring day.
3. Some detours, unexpected destinations, and unimaginable experiences are for the best.

This doesn’t mean we want women in barbershops; it simply implies that women also adore such simple things.

Some of us do love sports, bikes, and any other things that men think are masculine, but we think of them as mere objects, subjects, or nouns.

There are many videos of men turning their heads when they see a woman riding a bike. Why? Because women are often stereotyped as being poor drivers. Who started those stereotypes? ummm…

Stories Sell. Products Follow

The Barbershop advertising principle isn’t something new or “out of the box.” Some of the most memorable campaigns have done the same — letting the story earn the audience’s attention before revealing the brand.

In 2019, the Indian shoe brand Liberty launched a campaign that caught everyone’s attention. It featured an Indian hijabi woman riding a motorcycle, challenging long-held stereotypes in a single campaign. The brand then smoothly integrated its shoes into the story, making the product placement feel so natural and powerful.

It’s very evident how some stereotypes and nostalgic memories help us understand the product’s efficiency. We buy McDonald’s over any other burger on a casual Friday to reminisce over its simplicity. But when we want to try something different, something unique, we look for a new burger joint.

The Future of Advertising Is Volatile

As the battle for attention intensifies across online and offline platforms, advertising is not limited to being louder — the game has changed to who will crack the target audience’s psychology first.

Audiences no longer just see advertisements — they recognize the intent, the insight, and the thinking behind the visuals on their screens.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that, in the near future, thoughtful, insight-driven advertising will take precedence over trend-chasing campaigns built around scroll-stopping hooks.