Roadside barbers - Singapore

Background

Roadside barbers used to be a common sight in Singapore, operating mainly out of makeshift sheds with walls of wooden planks, and wooden roofs or awnings.¹ Also known as street barbers or five-foot-way barbers, they offer fuss-free trims in back alleys.²

History
Roadside barbers were commonly found along Singapore’s streets and back lanes.³In the 1950s, the bustling side lane in Bugis was dubbed “Barber Street” as many barbers vied for customers there.⁴ They were also found along a cobbled lane that served as a link between Jalan Sultan and North Bridge Road. The lane was called the “Barber Row”.⁵ Most barbers were either Malays, Indians or Chinese.⁶ The barber shop often had a small, beaten tarpaulin canopy for a roof, below which was the shop.⁷ The space between two canopies acted as a territorial boundary. The shops usually consisted of a few old-fashioned chairs, a box-like cupboard hung on the wall, a small wall mirror and a few plastic bins filled with water.⁸ Most barbers were usually self-taught, although some picked up the trade by working as an apprentice under an established barber.⁹

Job scope
Barbers usually started work in the morning and continued to work until dusk.¹⁰When it became too dark to continue work, they packed up for the day.¹¹ Their daily earnings depended on the weather, as rainy days saw fewer customers.¹² Their charges went up during the Chinese New Year season, as it was customary for the Chinese to begin their new year with a fresh haircut.¹³ The Chinese have a tradition of shaving a baby’s head bald in the initial few weeks or months. On such occasions, the barbers usually made a home call and were paid extra for their service.¹⁴

Roadside barbers also cleaned ears.¹⁵ They used a five-centimetre-long metal ear cleaner that had a hook at one end to fish out the ear wax. After that a small fluffy brush was swished around the middle ear for the final clean-up.¹⁶ Apart from cleaning ears, Chinese barbers also used to clean the tongue and nose.¹⁷ Indian barbers gave their customers a good massage with their strong fingers and palms on their scalps.¹⁸ They also massaged their clients’ faces and shoulders.¹⁹

Developments
Roadside barbers are almost non-existent today except for an odd stall or two in locations such as Katong, Kim Keat Lane, Chinatown and Amoy Street.²⁰ Their haircuts are inexpensive and very affordable, which is why they still attract a loyal clientele.²¹ These traditional barbers face stiff competition from unisex hair salons.²² Upscale barber shops offering haircuts and other grooming services have become the popular choice among men in their mid-20s to 50s.²³



Author
Thulaja Naidu