“Welcome to China” The old Haircutter of Hongkou!
Hongkou District is a historical District in the north of the Bund in Shanghai. While preparing my photo walk I always meet a over 80ty years old hairdresser. He is cutting all day long, nearly every day. He is welcoming every foraigner with a “Welcome to China” in englisch, but is not happy to has his picture taken, fortunately after a while, talking with him about his work and life I was allowed to do some pictures of the things surrounding his daily life.
The tools he is using since ages. ” The knifes from Germany are very good” he told me and showing me a shaving knife. ” The powder is very important to clean the necks from hair, or it will itch you the hole day”.
Shaving tools.
A Thermos jug is keeping hot water for wet shaving. The seat is used as table for his meals.
Bicycle tubes to keep the scissors.
“My son is bringing me my food everyday, I have a son and a daughter, but my daughter lives further away”.
The Foodbag.
Chopsticks.
A self made Chair brings the costumers into the right heights.
“Never have naked feeds, it is very annoying to have the hair between the toes”.
” Wet shaving is to risky, he is moving to much!”
“My sons hair is too less, with cutting the hair I want to bring it to grew”. ” That won´t help!”
” I am doing this Job already my hole life, my son studied from me and is working now together here with me. I have very old costumers and very young ones. Some people come to me, cause the new shops don´t have the old tools any more and cause it is very cheap and convenient. They trust in my long experiance”.
its nice to have cheap tools to gather audience attention……….