Not all methods of buying bitcoins have that many middlemen. LocalBitcoins is a site that has users in 86 countries and over 400 cities. It's a free to use platform that makes it easier to have face to face meetings and exchange bitcoins and local currencies. It's also way more anonymous than using the exchanges.

I primarily use exchanges but I do use LocalBitcoins as well. It's a good site.

https://localbitcoins.com/