Erzincan'ın ‘Berber Dede’si

Barber Ertuğrul Can (88) in Erzincan has been working as an apprentice with his father for 76 years, having started his profession at the age of 12. Every morning, Can cycles to work and works until late in the evening. Known by the shopkeepers as "Grandpa Barber," Can said, "I was very good at barbering when I was young. I had a lot of customers. Now, two or three people come a day, or maybe not. Now that we're older, I come to work to spend time anyway." Residing in the İnönü neighborhood, Ertuğrul Can, a married father of three sons and seven grandchildren, began working as an apprentice with his father, a barber, when he was just 12 years old. Working side-by-side with his father, Can continued his profession even during his military service. He continued his profession even after his father's death, and despite retiring from Bağ-Kur (Social Security Fund), he never abandoned his profession. Can sets off from home on his bicycle in the morning to open his business in the city center. After completing his daily preparations, Can serves his customers until late in the evening. "I HAD MANY CUSTOMERS IN MY YOUTH" Can, whom the shopkeepers call "Barber Dede," stated that his children, like him, hadn't chosen this profession. He said, "I learned my trade while I was in elementary school. After finishing elementary school, I couldn't continue my education, so I continued my profession. I had a brother and we worked together. He passed away about 16 years ago. We first barbered in the Aşağı Çarşı neighborhood in Erzincan. I also completed my military service as a barber. I retired from Bağ-Kur (Social Security Institution) 32 years ago. I'm 88 years old and still doing my job. I was very good as a barber when I was younger, and I had many customers. I used to work until midnight. But now, I only have two or three customers a day. We've grown older, and our peers have passed away. Young people don't come to us either. If I didn't have a pension, this place wouldn't support us. But I come here to spend time."