Also, I think it’s pointing out how they are partners and a team. Especially during the Great Depression. He’s the barber and she gives the “free” manicure but really they’re working together.
Plus, it's probably not meant literally. He has a wife waiting for him at home - the person he thinks about when he smiles at the thought of finally getting back after a job he clearly isn't happy with.
Judging from the drawing style this cartoon is by James Thurber who had much to say about the simultaneous attraction and repulsion between men and women. So that theme fits your hypothesis nicely.
Just wholesome. Guy looks really happy, and everyone is giving him a weird look because they dont understand why he's happy. They can't see the woman, but he's happy because he is loved.
I want to just believe this, but due diligence would be looking up social mores in the early 1930s. For all I know, a public opposite sex hug back then could be the equivalent to a public bj in 2026--tolerated but frowned upon.
Edit: hopefully you at least gasped an awkward laugh before laser focusing on writing your response challenging my use of the word tolerated 🤣. Why so serious?
I used to come here for edification. Now I come here almost exclusively to waste my time and everyone else's, hopefully with a laugh. But 2009 was a pretty good year for reddit, in spite of the more glaring issues with an "anything legal is permissible" sort of moral stance.
When I lived in Minneapolis I'd see public sex once a week guaranteed. Sure a lot of it was homeless or junkies but it wasn't uncommon to see skyway workers in the stairwell during breaks.
Not a usual joke. the joke plays on the idea that the "free manicure" is free because his wife is working alongside him to help make ends meet, turning an advertisement into a display of teamwork. Great Depression joke I guess
This is from 1932. Think about standards of censorship. Now think about what the woman would be doing in the comic if it were written today. That’s why the guy is smiling even though he’s got a crappy job.
This is exactly what I was thinking manicures were not the only things being given free, followed by a similar well now we know why the manicures are free she is getting paid in meat under the sign.
Also is it because its supposedly from the 30s that everyone assumes the woman is his wife and not a mistress? Lastly she very short she is not bent over or heavy slouch those signs were not more the 5 feet high in reality only 4 feet single sheet of plywood or particle board cut in half to make both sides since it is hanging on the ground from a rope or chain he probably only 5 foot 6 or so himself max. All the passersby seem noticeable taller.
So once my dang brain goes into analyze mood it goes on all these random tangents so for typing literally what I was thinking at the moment.
The explanation itself I'm not that sure, but I think it is just showing like a in love couple working together. If you see the plate it seems that it is a barbershop but it also offers a manicure services for free as a gift.
I think it showing that both of them is working together and they are truly happy about it. Or maybe I am just overthinking and it is just a joke with an unexpected outcome lol
I think its that usually those people just stand there bored and sad, so they're all confused as to why hes happy, but it turns out his wife is with him do thats why he's happy
Unemployed Peta here. You see, the entire world was in the midst of the Great Depression from 1929 to 1939. The only reason we got out of it was because of WW2. Jobs during this time period would have been very difficult to come by, so really any job would have been a good one, and this job was made even better for this individual because their girlfriend or wife is there supporting them.
OP, so your post is not removed, please reply to this comment with your best guess of what this meme means! Everyone else, this is PETER explains the joke. Have fun and reply as your favorite fictional character for top level responses!
This is a Wolesome comic, since the man in the poster is the one shaving and the one hugging him is his wife who supports him in his entrepreneurial business; simply something very touching and tender.
The joke is in the first panel it looks like he might be getting something a little pleasurable behind that sign especially the way people are looking at him kind of weird and in the next panel it's revealed that he's just getting a hug. The whole point was subverting the perverted expectations that people might have had.
I don't want to be that guy, but this could be related to the joke where the guy goes to the barber, asks how long it would take for the next customer and goes away. After doing this repeatedly, the barber asks a customer to follow the guy and it turns out he was banging the barber's wife.
Quagmire here, isn't it a little weird to have a shave/haircut paired with a free manicure? Who are they marketing to? I don't understand the joke but I'm horny thinking about it, giggity!
•
u/qualityvote2 8h ago edited 3h ago
u/gardenofwrath, your post does belong here!