Hookah Masters and COVID-19 crisis: How has is it affected them? France

The crisis of COVID-19 has affected all sectors of the economy, but if we focus on the hookah industry, the main victims of this global pandemic are hookah craftsmen and institutions. The full-scale closure of the business has led many employees in the critical economic situation.

We decided to interview six hookah masters from different countries and show how the consequences of the pandemic affected their lives and work.

This article is devoted to hookah masters from France. You can find materials from other regions at the links below.

Hookah Masters and COVID-19 crisis: How has is it affected them? Brazil

Hookah Masters and COVID-19 crisis: How has is it affected them? Spain

Hookah Masters and COVID-19 crisis: How has is it affected them? Russia

 

We express gratitude to Amani Salma and ChichaMaps team who is actively participating in the preparation of the article.

 

Steven Barbier, hookah master from south of France.

What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?

My name is Sven Barberat. Currently I’m working in a shisha bar called British Coffee, in the south of France, for a year.

Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?

Yes we are open!

How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?

Usually I prepare between 30 and 40 shisha per day and my average salary is around 10€ an hour

If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer? What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?

During the lockdown I worked in our shop but the bar was closed. We sell e-cig so it was not forbidden to open the shop. But I did not work during the evening because the bar was close, it was the only difference for me. No I did not receive  any support.

What are your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?

My 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands are : Al Fakher, Tangiers & Zomo Black.

What are your 3 favorite hookah model brands?

My 3 favorite hookah model brands are: MIG, Wookah, Al Jamal.

Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt https://hhh.hookahbattle.com/fr/ ? What do you think about this service?

Yes I could be interested in this service. If the vacancies are nice, why not ? I think it is a good idea but as former Youtuber and hookah reviewer, I can see a difference between the clients and me. A lot of hookah preparations are very basic here. And it depends on the vacancy and which kind of bars is hiring.

 

 

Yannick Leite , hookah master from Lyon.

What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?

My name is Yannick Leite and I’m working for Campus Chicha in Lyon for 5 years now.

Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?

Yes we are open now but the bar was closed due to the lockdown since 15th March and for 2 months.

How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?

Usually I prepare between 30 and 50 per day and I earn around 10€ an hour.

If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer?

Yes I received a salary as usual.

What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?

I took time to rest and stay at home during the lockdown. I did not work because I don’t have any other work.

What are your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?

My 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands are : Al Fakher, Social Smoke and Tangiers.

What are your 3 favorite hookah model brands?

My 3 favorite hookah model brands are: Khalil Maamoon, Shika & Wookah.

Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt https://hhh.hookahbattle.com/fr/ ? What do you think about this service?

Actually, for the moment I feel very good to work here for Campus Chicha. But it is interesting for the hookah industry!

 

 

Vincent , hookah master from Lyon.

What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?

My name is Vincent and I work for an oriental shisha bar called Menzel in the old town of Lyon for 6 years.

Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?

Yes, we are open! But we were closed since 15th March and for 2 months, as every french bar.

How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?

Usually, in the afternoon I prepare between 20 and 25 shishas. In the evening, we are 2 and we prepare around 30-40 shishas during weekend evenings.

If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer?

Yes, I received a salary as usual.

What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?

First of all, during the lockdown, I relativized and I took time to care about myself and my wife. And last but not least, I try to improve some new hookah preparations.

What is your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?

My 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands are: Al Fakher, Social Smoke and Azure.

What is your 3 favorite hookah model brands?

My 3 favorite hookah model brands are : Wookah, Conceptic Design and Al Jamal.

Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt https://hhh.hookahbattle.com/fr/ ? What do you think about this service?

Yes it would be very nice to have some job offers only for the hookah industry and all over the world! We only have one life 😉

 

 

Florian , hookah master from Sarrebruck.

What is your name and in which hookah lounge you work and for how long time?

My name is Florian and I am hookah master for “Index Bar” in Sarrebruck. It is a bar with a good ambience and a lot of clients during week-ends. I work there for one year now.

Do your hookah lounge work now? If not, when it stopped?

Now we are open but the bar was closed during March as all bars in France (at the beginning of the pandemie).

How much hookahs usually you prepared per day for customers? What is your average salary per day?

I think we (2 workers) prepare around 70 shishas per evening during weekends. My salary is about 10€ an hour.

If your lounge closed do you have any salary or support from your lounge employer?

No, I did not receive any financial support.

What are you do now in quarantine? How your life changes? Do you have any other work?

During the lockdown, I worked from home because I am also web developer. Of course, I was interested in the news from the hookah industry because it is a real passion for me. My life did not really change. I was not used to staying at home but I took time for rest.

What is your 3 favorite hookah tobacco brands?

Currently I really like Darkside! I also like MustHave tobacco and Xracher for hookah tobacco mixes.

What is your 3 favorite hookah model brands?

Currently I smoke with the Doosha Frankie and I like it a lot! It is really difficult to choose, there is a lot of brands on the market but I would say Nube and VZ Hookah

Can you be interested if some hookah manufacturers will offer you a remote job via first in the world international hookah job service Hookah Head Hunt https://hhh.hookahbattle.com/fr/ ? What do you think about this service?

Currently I would not be interested because I have a lot of work and it is enough for me, but it is very interesting! It is a work who needs passion and motivation ensuing.