Monday, December 19, 2011
இ Baŋäŋaz இ
Hairdressing business comes in all shapes and sizes. Just recently Merryn posted her son's first hair cut at 4 years old, sitting comfortably without any tussle while his locks of hair snipped by a hairdresser. They sure have their ways to appease kids to sit still with nice toy cars and pretty smiling faces as opposed to those boring bulky barber's chair those days. SeniorsAloud captured a pixz of a street barber in India operating with merely a chair and one giant size mirror under a tree and he is in business. Autumn Belle posted a recent entry of a barber in action who can handle an A-Z hair style. We have all kinds of barbers, One-man show barber, unisex hair salon with London trained hair stylists etc. Lately there is this franchise hair salon business offering quick haircut, mushrooming all over the country charging around RM13.00 - RM15.00 (ave U$4.60). Are you as fussy as Bananaz who just don't feel good over a bad haircut or you are OK with just any hair dresser will do as long as its to your convenience?
Many may not get to see or hear of this kind of activities and skills in a hair salon anymore in our modern era. Below is Peggy, my client and also my trusted hairdresser for the past decade. Timing was not on my side as there is no traditional 'ear picking' on that day sorry no pixz for that. What the heck is 'ear-picking'? Bananaz has never tried personally before but quite curious and tempted to have a go, but Peggy forewarned me that it could be addictive. MercuryNews.com, quoted a Vietnamese resident "It brings a lot of happiness". He also likened a good ear picking to good sex and fans of ear picking have gleefully talked about 'ear-gasms'. Whoa! Any takers?
 |
| source: chineseetymology.org |
Peggy then showed me her set of ear pick instrument, traditionally made from bamboo as shown in the bottom pixz. Noticed the upper pixz of a lamp with the shade? That's for shining the light into the ear to scoop the earwax out of the ear canal. The cost for ear picking is RM14.00 (U$4.50) and the haircut is RM12.00 (US3.90) an extra RM1.00 more than my last previous Indian barber.
This hair salon is situated near China Town, Petaling Street, KL and the fate of their business is in the hands of the expansion of the LRT station, right now at a limbo as they are in one of those row of shop houses subject to be demolished. (tQ HappySurfer who added there is no demolishing but to be relocated temporary). An old salon open for men only, mostly senior citizens who are their loyal regulars of more than 2 decades with not much of walk-ins or new customers. Sad to say the occupation of these 6 hairdressers can be considered pretty dim. Firstly it takes time to transfer their skills to their next generation, moreover their young ones are not interested, not lucrative to them. Secondly as the diminishing of their loyal regulars who are either dying off one after another or too old with restrictive mobility going for a haircut dampens their revenue. Eventually this skills of ear picking would be lost and over time would completely die out and no longer in practice. According to Peggy, she is committed to carry on until she drops dead or not nimble with the scissors or her eyes are failing her, then to call it quits.
 |
| 'Down Puff ' source:Wikipedia |
Posted in: Hair
78 Bunchesஇ:
Hi Bananaz, I'd never changed my hairdresser for the past 3 decade. Cannot trust any other hair dresser, just simply walk into any saloon to cut. Kiasi lah... wait salah cut gone case.
The ear-gasms... hahahaha... think I'll have nightmare after this.
Have a nice day
I've been going to the same hairdresser now for about twelve years and haven't had a bad haircut in that time even though their's no hope for my grey hair anyway. No Ear picking for me, not a chance at all :-).
I'm quite loyal to my stylist. It's easier when she already knows what works and what not for me. :)
But now she open shop in Seremban. I can't just go there for my haircut! huhuu
i hv 2 different hairdressers which i go to..even sometimes just for a simple cut on the fringe, i will still choose to go to my regular hairdresser. I think there's still a few hairdressing salons doing ear picking service..those really old ones..i never heard from anyone that i know tried that ear picking ..sounds very geli lah..i hope those people wash the sticks after each service.
Bananaz talking about hair dressing. :) I like changes so I'll only stick to one hair dresser for a few years but not decades.
It's a pity their business is affected by the LRT negatively. That's how things are; unpredictable.
Can't imagine how you can take photo while having hair cut. A slight touch of the hairdresser's hand will end up in a disaster. By the way, I do not have a permanent hairdresser over the years. I will go to whichever more convenient to me the moment I think of having a hair cut.
i didn't kind of having my fixed hairdresser until few years ago.. last time i just went into the salon (and that includes the indian shop in earlier days), and whoever free gets to touch my head and i'm done in the shortest time..
i think in 2003 i started to have a fix hairdresser and i think that's good because i built relationship with him and he is most knowledgeable about the shape of my head and my hair.. and he has cut my hair for like 7 years until i changed to another salon end of last year..
oh, so Peggy is trying to pass her skills to her second generation??? her hairdressing skill and earpicking profession?? wow, i've never heard about earpicking in a salon before, this is the very first time.. i like to do that myself, kind of insecure to let others do that on me, haha~~ :D
I am quite fussy about hair cuts. Sometime some hairdressers just don't know how give a proper haircut.
I don't I can let anyone pick my ear, too "ger lick" (hokkien).
I've changed hair stylist, on and off.. Hehe, just to 'survey' who did the best job~
I usually go to the same place, but every once in a while I go elsewhere if it is more convenient.
I thought it has been confirmed that the shops are not going anywhere. During the underground construction, they will have to evacuate from their premise and then come back when the job is done.
Ear-picking? I pass.
Amazing facts as usual. Never ever heard of 'ear-gasms' though. A new word added to my dictionary ;)
Anyhow, I don't think I'll dare leave my ear picking to anyone ... one wrong move and you may be deaf for life!
If i choose to change hair style,I would go for the "expensive"one like RM28 to RM32,after which I would go to my normal mamak store barber,then say," Bang,i nak simpan macam ini,you potong sikit sikit sudah ,ya?" and that cost me only RM6, may be after a few months now the road, I go for expensive hair cut to change style,then back to ,"potong sikit sikit ya"
I made myself a pledge,I would go botak as soon as I hit 50,, i like that Terry Savalas look
I change my hairdresser every 2 years. I always keep short hairstyle. I would get bored with the different hairstyles that my hairdresser could do for me in two years.
Oh! I don't allow people to pick my ear. My husband always offers to do it for me, after he has done it with our girls, he sure scares me miles away.
This is something new to me hahaha never heard got such service before. But actually if you pick your ears at home also can be addictive. I had it before but controlled myself cos it's not good to pick daily.
Amelia's De-ssert இ You are pretty early to be first. Gimme a 5, both kiasi ones haha.
Windsmoke இ Would have a total peace of mind with the same person can even sleep while cropping. Would love to try ear picking for once but the hygiene part of sharing the instruments with people holds me back.
Lina இ Ikut pergi Seremban very near only mah haha. The current salon is about half an hour drive from my house.
Lena இ Only those old salons would have this service and would be dying of natural death and may not survive another 20 years down the road. Me too never had any friend who had tried this before. Got a cousin brother who likes to ear pick his ears with a match stick and said very 'syiok' one.
One இ Setting of hair is ok but not cutting as you cant glue them back haha. Their business would be interrupted even though they may not need to be demolished and that is as good being demolished. Well that's life and hope for the best they can still hold on to their customers once they stop operations for months or even years.
இ
jam இ That was a fast one, point and click no problem, no damage haha.
[SK]இ Bananaz had a slight problem those days. Found a good trusted Indian barber and after some time he would go back to India for months and got to start all over again getting used to the new barber. Oh you have not seen ear-picking in a hair salon before? Aiya too bad no chance to snap a pixz that day coz no ear-picking.
Hayley இ Guess you must have changed more than a dozen hair stylist by now and not found your best yet?
Daisy இ Have more chance to get new hair style with new stylist.
HappySurfer இ Yeah it was reported in the papers but the people there think otherwise, said gomen may change their mind. Even then to cease operation for months or years would be as bad as demolished haha. Pass ear picking? haha. Think only men go for ear-picking, any unisex salon offers this service to ladies?
Wenny இ New word to me too. My counterpart in Taiwan said his friend was deaf caused by a little kid who knocked on the ear picker.
Eugene இ Smart move get the cutting in place and to trim by aneh. Still paying RM6 in Penang that's pretty cheap? The gay hair stylist charges very high after he shifted to Komtar so opt for this Kinta Lane at RM7 and that was like 10 years ago.
Sheoh Yan இ Good to have some changes at times but Bananaz still prefer the same. Mango will go anywhere convenient for her haircut. Peggy even cut for her once on an exception case coz they only cut for men. Oh hubby ear pick the children with cotton bud or those with the scoop thingy? You lari kuat kuat haha?
Charmaine இ Young generation may not see or hear of ear picking. Those days ma Mama do have that scoop thingy at home but we never used it. Cotton bud is the only thing we used now.
Haha ear-gasm - Thx for the intro!!! I heard it's one of the nice part that ladies...
Btw gone are the "good" old days when kids will be "pacified" by comic books when had their hairs done......
MRC இ Exactly that was what Bananaz went through. Those days we got to sit on a plank placed across the arm rest of the barber's chair and the only way to stop my wondering mind were the Chinese comic books even though knew zero words but the drawings paint a 1000 pixz. Not too sure is there any words or only drawings?
ear picking at barber? i prefer to do it at home
@Bananaz,
Go to Kajang also my hubby doeesn't want. Seremban lagi lah. LOL
I think it is better to bring your own equipment if need the ear-picking service. I didn't know that some people enjoy having their ear picked because it looks like dangerous job for the customer. For the Indian barber, it is a bonus if they have good neck-wringing skills! A hair wash at the hair salon with good head and neck massage can be an enjoyable experience. I remember those days when it was popular to display the Unisex signage.
I've not stayed with a hairdresser like forever! If I feel it's time to have a change, I will try it out.Ear picking?? Sorry,the job belongs to me!! LOL
Alamak, the ear pick is so nostalgic.
Haven;t seen it for years!
It's so comfortable to have someone picking your ears!
It's like giving your ears multiple climaxes! Ha ha.
I choose my barber, but my wife makes her recommendation.
She says I look more handsome by then.
What can I do?
When I was small I hate to have mu hair cut. Now I'm OK with it : )
Ear picking? Yikes! I rather let the doctor or ear specialist do it LOL!
I had no problems with my children when they played the hairdresser to relax and fall asleep.
Hi Bananaz, I have a friend here, originally from KL....both husband and wife took up hairdressing, and they running a classy hair dressing salon for women downtown Toronto.
Their clients arrive in BMW's, Jags, Ferraris, Lambos, etc.
Past 6 years they have switched cars from a Range Rover, Audi, A Mercedes E350, and I just heard they switched to latest Mercedes 500S.
I'll just stick to my Indon barber walking distance my place, only $8.00, ha ha. I only cut my hair once every 4 months or when my wife gives me the Clint Eastwood stare, ha ha. Save money, man.
Lee.
Sigh!!! Gone are the old-time barbers... Today, going to a salon will burn a hole in the pocket - RM24 for cut and shampoo... How much in KL?
i'm ok with any hair dresser, nowadays its so expensive just to get a haircut in KL, randing from rm15 and above.
Hey, are you in KL? would love to meet up with you one of this days.
I will go back to same hairdresser despite it's a bit far from my house and appointment need to be make in advance. I try to go others but they just simply trim here and there and they charging freaking expensive.
Why can't we pick our own ears at home? Why do we need others to do it for us? I cringe at the thought of someone digging my ear! Yikes!
True that closing down a business for months could also spell doom.
You know what? I suspect some of them (ah peks) may be in favor of giving up their shop. That way, they could be (richly) compensated and the money could be better used elsewhere by their family if no young 'uns are taking up their business. You think?
Sunshine at your place? Glad to read (several days ago) that Met Dept said to expect better weather here in the Klang Valley as the monsoon has moved (to the east coast). Oops!
Have a nice day, Bananaz!
Oh btw, love that Happysurfin' bulldog video you shared. So cool! Love him skateboarding. He must have been a skateboarder in a previous life. LOL What a blast! Thanks for sharing that.
Small Kucing இ The most I would used the cotton bud not those scoop thingy. Ma Mama used to use that iron scoop looks scary.
Lina இ Kajang is half way to Seremban haha. Besides the half hour drive to my hair salon the parking is also a killer RM6.50 max or RM2 ph. At my residence place parking at the shop lot is free & 5 minutes drive to any of those barbershops or salon. Well Peggy has gotta be that good.
Autumn Belle இ Have asked Peggy, she said a new ear pick set cost RM40 and just for using it once not worth it. Well those ear pickers well trained and quite skilful. Yes the Indian barbers are good in 'twist' massage of the neck but looks risky when the head got stuck then how haha.
Keats இ So you are the gold I mean ear picker for your hubs? haha.
London Caller இ Like what that Vietnamese said 'tingling' sensation and got G-spot some more. How true? Are you tempted to try for the ear-gasm haha.
Rainfiled61 இ In that case try getting wife to learn hairdressing and she can cut for you. Got a colleague who spent some money to learn hairdressing so that she could cut her mother's hair, who was bed ridden. I was once her 'model' at a RM2 for a haircut. She can only handle the front and the back for the sides she need her sifu to do it. So now I know the most difficult part would be the side hair closest to our ears.
Foongpc இ Just like me but got mixed feelings. Love the comics but not the barber becoz its was my Papa's choice not mine. Quite norm we may not 'trust' the ear pickers.
Leovi இ With new barber Bananaz would pray hard and will not blink an eye but to watch every move haha.
Uncle Lee இ Wah Bananaz have taken the wrong profession should go for hairdressing instead. Wow fatt tatt loh the couple making big bucks. Haircut 4 months once, hair could be like the Beatles haha.
Suituapui இ In my place its about RM28 already think KL would be higher RM30-35 maybe.
Isaac Tan இ You would go for those fastcut where they give you a free comb as well. Yeah so near and yet so far huh. Hope to meet up one day.
Yee Ling இ Bananaz can even sleep during my haircut by Peggy and be in a total peace of mind, knowing pretty well my hair is in safe hands but not with a new barber haha.
Merryn இ At home not well trained, dunno how to find the G-spot can't get 'ear-gasms' haha.
HappySurfer இ If the price is good would buy your idea as ceasing operations for few months, the shop owners may risk losing their tenants but on the other hand once the LRT job is completed the place may fetch a higher price. Need lots of weighing here.
Sunshine at my place? Nope still strumming CCR song on rain. Sama sama! You like the surfin' bulldog, quite cool for a dog to surf so well, you are right must have been a pro in his previous life. Have a great day.
Ear-picking? Ewwwww certainly not for me. I always have a ghastly fear that someone will poke and poke and poke till they rupture my eardrums. My fav activity at the girly hairdressers is their massage skills. Factored cheaply into their prices, it's a saving not having to go to the massage centre! mwahahahaha
+Ant aka El'Cheapo+
We cannot glue back hair because there is no need to. It just keeps growing. Relax...
Gratitude இ Yeah sai tou with massage is refreshing, now not so much into it already.
One இ Can't glue just have to wait and that one week is like one year haha.
For my hair is no longer a problem, because every time I have less and requires less care.
Ha ha... These days sudah tukar ah moi Vietnam?
In my old days, it was "performed" by Thai ladies.
Man, I might have some orphan children in Thailand.
Wah! Bananaz!
So expensive ah,just to get to your hair salon. Well, they do say good things don't come cheap. ^^
Spain plugs in ear wax removes the audiologist. The cheapest haircut goes for 7 Euros, equivalent to 10 dollars, but usually they cost three times that amount.
First time I heard of eargasm...hahaha that is hysterical.. makes me curious much haha.. Having a hair cut or wash or whatever is so darn expensive nowadays.. no joke. Even those not so well-known hair salon. I am keeping my hair long not because I want to.. I just can't bring myself to part with my RM50 for just a hair cut/trim and wash..LOL.
Leovi இ Cheapest is U$10 and could go as high as 3 times.
London Caller இ Didn't know Thais are good in ear picking. Mostly the locals in old salon only.
Lina இ Yalor style mesti mahu haha.
Angie இ New word to note eh that's the wonders of internet. Yeah tie pony tail no need cut/trim.
Bath bombs?
Oh, it's a type of bathing powder, shaped like a bomb.
When you drop one into the bath water, it will dissolve very quickly.
How come you so suagu one?! ;)
London Caller இ No bath bombs saw only eggs woh?
I'm using the scoop!! Haha easier and cleaner mah! XD but ur photo wan is so fluffy!
Charmaine Pua இ If you noticed in the other pixz you shall see 8 instruments and one of it is fluffy. Scoop is naturally for clearing the wax out of the canal and guess the fluffy part is for 'sweeping' the walls. haha. Have not tried myself as I wanna buy my own new set which cost RM40 and would not want to spent the money just for curiosity sake, unless would do it each time I go for my haircut.
These hairdressers need a good promotion to attract customers children.
hahaha
"Don't move, i am going to cut your hair!"
Never try any ear picking at hair salon in my life...
should be very enjoyable right?
Leovi இ No way the young ones would follow their dad to this old salon where most of the hairdressers are in their early 50s. The Y gen got their very own hair stylist.
CH Voon இ Vanessa got problem to cut her hair outside? Oh good go for ear picking hearsay can get ear-gasms like in heaven. Wanna try? We meet at ChinaTown haha.
oh my god, ear-picking = ear-gasm? I would love to try it! Now my ear is so itchy right now by reading your post above
so tempting!
average Haircut I have is RM 10 to RM 14 . . . which is Indian man cut for me . . . but no ear-picking wo XD
last time got 1 barber from India, got help urut shoulder 1. Now local Indian . . . sometimes got, sometimes no XD
My further last input on this topic: Earpick shud be DIY as it can be easily done & not done by outsider whom might "jeopardise thing"!!
Kian Fai Koh இ Indian barber are good with the neck massage. Tempted by ear picking haha.
MRC இ So far never picked my own ears merely used cotton buds. Those are skilled people but agree may risk damage and second is addiction.
i've been sticking to the same hairstylist for 6 years.
she's a good consultant and professional in her work and i usually come out with a smoking hot new hairstyle that suits my face.
as for ear-picking, it's out of the question for me. it's better to DIY. what if something goes wrong? accidents can happen.
Life Ramblings இ Not so much on any accident to me but the hygiene part that put me of with so many people using the scoop and instruments haha.
Once I like a hairdresser, I will stick to him or her like a leech until they tell me they "wong Fei Hoong Sau dong" hehe. I remember my first late husband used to go his hairdresser to have his ears picked. That is not my cup of tea. Picking anything can be addictive. There are some ladies i know who are addicted to picking on their "low kung" poor hubbies!! Another common picking addiction is picking nose. Not long ago a car stopped beside mine and I watched the driver picking his nose as long as the light stayed red. Syiok nya!!! LMAO!!!
Quay Po Cooks இ Yeah stick on like a leech coz we have a peace of mind and even fell asleep sometimes during the cut. If someone for the 1st time would not even blink an eye haha. Lolz at the driver who picks his nose and I can imagine from your expression its really got the 'song-ness' and si fook sai' feeling. ho ho ho siew haha.
Useful article. Will be beneficial for others. Thanks.
Efficient job. Worthy of applause. Thanks.
Good job. Everybody make post related comments. Thanks.
Post a Comment