The "melting pot" was an overused phrase during the early years of the 20th century. Times have changed, some people have begun using the newer term "the stew pot." Each group adds its own flavor but does not melt into the final dish. It has validity.

This is just my little vignette of an incident that occurred to me last week.

It was time for my sixth weekly "mowing" of the wild and crazy jungle that resides on the top of my cranium. When my hair becomes completely unmanageable, I make the command decision - "It's time for a haircut."

I was sitting in my favorite barbershop on Broadway in Hicksville and reading the newspaper I had brought with me. I bring something to read as most of the periodicals, the TV and magazines are all in Spanish.

When I am in my favorite barbershop I am a bit sorry that I took Hebrew as a language in high school and not Spanish. Of course, when I am in Paris I am sorry I didn't major in French. Of course, when I am in the synagogue I am deliriously happy that I chose Hebrew.

There were at least 10 men in the shop and the two barbers (hairstylists) were women. One was Gulma, the proprietress and the other was Maria, my tonsorial genius. She has tamed my curly-locks as no other has in all of my 71 1/2 years. I do not specify what length I would prefer my hair cut. I just sit down.

Maria is the expert and I do not wish to place restrictions on her. You don't tell Einstein how to solve equations do you?

The chattering and laughing in the shop was all in Spanish. The group was laughing loudly and Maria and Gulma had to stop every few minutes to catch their breath. I understood nothing.

When the pomade was finally applied to my hair and the gray hairs wiped from my shoulders, I got out of the barber chair. I looked in the mirror and saw that Maria had triumphed again.

As I left I said to Gulma, "Next time tell them to say the jokes in English so I could enjoy them also."

She smiled and said, "We are all from the same jungle-village in El Salvador and we are just reminiscing."

I replied with my entire Spanish vocabulary, "Buenas dias and muchas gracias, amigos." ("Good day and thank you, my friends.")