An unfortunate name
I don’t think choosing a name that includes the word “fear” was a good idea for a hair salon, but maybe I am just being too sensitive.
Am I missing a hair-related pun? You know, something along the lines of The Hair Em, Julius Scissor Hair Design, or Hair Force One (all actual names)?
Or am I still freaking out from that one bad perm back in the 80s? (Also: is the term “bad perm” redundant? What about “bad pun”? Also redundant? Judges?)
Clovis, New Mexico
photographed 5.25.2013
Posted on June 17, 2013, in Photography and tagged 365 photo project, black and white photography, clovis new mexico, downtown, melinda green harvey, new mexico, one day one image, photo a day, photography. Bookmark the permalink. 16 Comments.

Bad perm – redundant, bad pun – not redundant. And how could you not fear a stranger standing behind your back with a scissors?
Lots of rectangles in this, including the sign, but it’s so well constructed with great tonality.
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Thanks for the ruling on the possible redundancies. I was pretty sure “bad perm” was redundant, but couldn’t decide on the other one…
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I think you are just being “Hairanoya” (from your link).
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Excellent use of a ridiculous word! (Or, to be more correct, I should have said: an ridiculous “word”)
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I vote with you both on perm and pun.
I don’t know what you see in this (looking beyond square corners that is), but I see a couple of antenna in the top window above the door, and eyes in the smaller opening below. I am thinking a haircut while held firmly in spiky exoskeletal forearms with giant insect mandible-clippers could be scary. So perhaps the sign is merely descriptive, or even a warning from an imprisoned assistant?
(Have I been doing too much insect macro photography of late?).
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Yeah, maybe too many insects is getting to you. (Great insect photos, though, by the way.)
You probably noticed that Ken’s with us on the perm, but not on the pun. Hmmm.
According to a commenter over on the One Day | One Image Facebook page, the name of the place is a Biblical reference (Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.) but I stand my original opinion that it is an unfortunate name.
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Not too sensitive at all!
Not sure I’d want to have my hair cut there. 🙂
Great shot!
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Thanks, Lisa.
I’ve GONE to hair salons that should have, in the interest of full disclosure, had the word “fearful” in their name. And I don’t want to do THAT again!
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Excellent find.
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Thanks. I stood on the sidewalk for a few minutes waiting for some people to leave so I could get the shot. It was too good to pass up!
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Oh yes, unfortunate. One small adjustment to make tearfully… But a great image for your camera!
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Tearfully. Fearfully. Either way – there might have been better naming options.
But, had any of those other naming options been used, it wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting!
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What a name? Are they still in business? And if so, why? Quite a lot of symmetry in this shot, but I like epham’s description. Great find – I may even have noticed this one!
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Yes, they are still in business. Or, were last month when I was in Clovis. Biblical reference or not, I still think putting the word “fearfully” in the name of a business that involves scissors and such seems like not a good idea. (“Little Shop of Horrors”, anyone?)
Ehpem WAS very descriptive!
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The size of the scissors alone would put me off! I would fear I would go home with one ear less than I started with. Well spotted.
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I know what you mean about the scissors!
When I saw this, I had to read the sign at least twice before I believed what it said. Then I said to my companion, “You KNOW I’m shooting that, right?” He just rolled his eyes….
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