Niles the Barber loves repeating his life story. Even though I only took the bus for four years, I heard it dozens of times. His real name is Niles Levy and he works in a company that manufactures women’s underwear, or “pahn-ties,” as he says it in his posh, British accent.

Everyone on the bus calls him “The Barber,” because he would tell anyone willing to listen that he used to work for Vidal Sassoon, in London. No, seriously, the guy with the big blackkippah used to cut ladies’ hair. I guess that’s why he has carefully gelled grey curls cascading below his skullcap. Continue Reading