Barber gives free haircuts to kids if they read a book to him.

When I was a kid, my barber used to laugh at frightening me with a vacuum used to suck up hair around my collar. Because he was probably a sadist. And, admittedly, I had a huge fear of loud machines that sucked air around my head.

Courtney Holmes is a barber in Dubuque, Iowa, and he's decided to give free haircuts to kids if they read a book to him while he cuts their hair. Because he's not a sadist. He is, in fact, a lovely man.

According to the Iowan Globe Gazette (my bible), Mr. Holmes joined the Back to School Bash, and offered free haircuts if children read a book to him. He even helped them sound out the words while cutting their hair if they struggled.

"I just want to support kids reading," Holmes said to The Associated Press.

Holmes offers the most subtle comment ever.

But he deserves a hat tip. A big one.