Barber Uncle

Under the makeshift tentage alongside a chair and mirror, you'll find Mr Lee Yoon Tong's 'barber shop', where you can get a fuss-free haircut for just $6. Mr Lee, who is 80 years old this year, is the owner of Xin Xiang Barber Salon, which is regrettably, one of the last street barbers left in Singapore.

Xin Xiang Barber Salon has been located at the side alley of 5 Boon Tat Street for the past 17 years. Despite the demand for haircut, Mr Lee does not have fixed opening hours which resulted in customers hanging around the alley, waiting for his shop to be open.

It spells the same on a Saturday morning as well, there were already 2 customers loitering nearby, waiting eagerly for his arrival. Soon after Mr Lee's arrival, he greeted everybody in the vicinity and have his makeshift salon ready by laying out all his equipment. The set up only took Mr Lee a mere 5 minutes and there after, he was ready to serve his first customer at 11:30AM.

Mr Lee's first customer was his old friend. There wasn't much interaction between the both of them as Mr Lee was extremely focused on trimming his friend's head. Despite the low in cost for a haircut, Mr Lee remained professional and performed his duties earnestly for a good 30 minutes.

When it was finally my turn, Mr Lee sat me down on his old yet sturdy salon chair. Without saying much, he started to shave my hair with his portable clippers. While cutting my hair, Mr Lee and I spent the next half an hour having a pleasant conversation. Mr Lee shared that he did not cut hair for his whole life. He had worked many jobs before. One of the jobs Mr Lee used to do, was to fix big ships for the Ang mohs (British). Mr Lee mentioned that the pay was lucrative. Fixing ships allowed Mr Lee to earn at least 7 times more than those usual jobs that he was engaged in. However, due to his passion, he chose to become a barber instead.

Mr Lee also shared that he started as an apprentice for a hair salon, operated by his classmate's father, before becoming a full fledged barber. He willingly did housekeeping for the hair salon without getting paid for a period. The owner recognized Mr Lee was hardworking and sincere. Therefore, he eventually taught him the know-how of cutting hair.

I have no plans to quit. I will continue as long as I am healthy. Working makes me active. - Mr Lee

Perhaps the most memorable statement from Mr Lee was he mentioned he has no intention to quit his body crumbles on him.

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