A barber in a tyre shop in Kuching. 11 May 2008
Like most people who live near the town center in Kuching, I seldom venture to the 7th Mile area which is considered as the outskirts of town. But it is actually an important town center for the surrounding countryside areas. And I happened to be there on Sunday morning and as I was walking along an old row of shophouses, I spotted a barber in a tyre shop! No kidding and it was occupying a part of the front portion of the tyre shop. In fact there was no clear full height partitions separating these two quite different trades.
Prices, licence & operating hours. What more do you want to know to get a hair cut?
I was delighted and took a few quick snaps from a discreet distance but my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check it out and see if I can get to talk to the barber as well. I’ve just had my hair shorned really short the day before; otherwise I would take an excuse to have a haircut to talk to him. Technically I still do have some hair. *sigh*
Tools of the trade. The antique chair gives a clue as to how long this barber shop has been operating.
But I needn’t have worried as Mr. Liew was as friendly and chatty as most barbers are and didn’t mind at all that I asked him a few questions and took a few snaps as he busied himself on a customer. Turned out that he has been cutting hair in this spot that he had rented from the shop owner for the past 20 to 30 years. He sees no problems operating as a barber in a tyre shop and couldn’t understand my ’surprise’.
Mr. Liew has been practising his trade in a tyre shop for nearly the past 3 decades.
I am pretty sure someone from Vancouver wouldn’t mind coming to this place to have his beard trimmed when he next visit Kuching. And I can’t think of another place or barber with more charm, personality and character! Right Lou?
Friendly barber and an attentive service in a unique setting - what more can you ask for?
