Life — January 30, 1931 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Effect of Mirrors on Barbers" by Tom Sims This humorous essay uses barber shops as a vehicle for social satire. Sims observes that barbers constantly see themselves reflected in mirrors—their own faces and profiles from multiple angles—which he suggests creates psychological effects. The accompanying cartoons illustrate barbers encountering their own reflections from different perspectives. The piece satirizes self-absorption and vanity while also commenting on the barber's profession itself. Sims mentions that barbers often appear melancholy or troubled, attributing this partly to their constant mirror exposure and partly to occupational hazards—hearing customers' sorrows daily without relief. The essay uses humorous exaggeration to explore how professional circumstances shape personality and demeanor.