The red, white and blue spiral-striped pole used to be the distinctive emblem of barbershops in Macao. In recent decades, however, barbershops seem to have been disappearing from the city streets, replaced by hairdressing salons and a barber’s pole is hard to find.

Nevertheless, a new breed of barbers believe their craft is irreplaceable. They are adopting new business practices and striving to attract a younger generation of customers.

The Hoi Vun Kei traditional barbershop has been operating on an old-fashioned veranda in Rua do Almirante Sérgio for more than half a century. The appearance of the shop has hardly changed over the years bringing back tranquil memories of the old days. Basic barber’s tools of the trade such as mirrors, scissors and electric hair clippers lie ready for use.

Loc Sin I is the only barber in the shop. He says he and his brother opened Hoi Vun Kei after learning their craft in the San Kio district before opening the business 50 years ago.

“In the old days, it used to cost 40 avos to have a haircut in my shop. Now it is MOP40,” Mr Loc says. “The haircutting business has changed a lot, many new hair salons having opened.”

Cutting hair is not physically demanding, but it is mentally exhausting, Mr Loc says, as the barber must concentrate.

Although Mr Loc is in his eighties, he says he has given no thought to retirement. But these days his barbershop is open only in the mornings. He no longer washes hair. The barber attends to an average of four customers per day and is closed on Sundays.

Wave of the future

Many of the traditional barbershops in Macao are run by old-school barbers such as Mr Loc. But several are now in the hands of younger barbers, who take just as much care in serving their customers.

Rocklee, who goes by only one name, first opened his barbershop, called 2Legit, in May 2015 near Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida. Apart from hairdressing services, the shop formed a partnership with a tattooist who practised his art there, to satisfy the demands of a younger generation of customers. Rocklee moved 2Legit into premises Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida itself in May 2017 and decided to focus on cutting hair.

Before opening 2Legit, Rocklee used to give free haircuts in his home. “I never expected that my pastime would turn into a business,” he says.

The Hoi Vun Kei traditional barbershop has been operating for more than half a century

Rocklee believes being a barber is about taking care of people rather than making money. “I didn’t decide to become a barber because I think it’s profitable,” he says. “Our customers have all become our friends. Being a barber is about taking care of others, and we should always bear that in mind, no matter how the business performs or what marketing strategy we adopt.”

The barber says his approach to cutting hair is more American than anything else, focusing on a gradual fade effect. “We like to keep the forehead and the hair edges clean,” he says. “We also take care of the customer’s eyebrows and facial hair, and we give wet shaves. Our goal is to do the traditional things with new tools and techniques.”

Among the business practices 2Legit has adopted is allowing customers make appointments for haircuts online. Rocklee believes this allows customers manage their time better. But customers that come in without an appointment are also welcome, he says. “They can enjoy a drink in the shop and play video games while waiting their turn. I hope 2Legit offers the community a friendly environment, so that it is not just a place for business, but also a place to gather.”

Hairdressing salons compete with 2Legit for customers, but Mr Rocklee believes barbershops are irreplaceable. “Salons and barbershops are two totally different things,” he says. “Salons may serve male and female customers alike, but they cannot replace barbershops because the cultures are different.”

Pondering on the future of the haircutting business in Macao, Rocklee says he expects more barbershops to open. “I think every barber has his own market,” Rocklee says. “Competition leads to progress. With more barbershops, people will get to know the business better.”

The barbershop 2Legit opened in May 2015