If you ever find yourself in the Shatin area of Hong Kong and are in need of a haircut, here’s what you do. Exit the Shek Mun train station and head west. When you hit the river, turn left and keep walking, you should see the Star Floating Seafood Restaurant on your right. Go until you find yourself under the first of several bridges.Every day from the hours of 1:00 til 7:00 you should find a little old Chinese guy under the bridge. He has a chair, an apron, scissors, and a pair of battery operated clippers.
He will cut your hair for you for HK$25.00. There will be some really grating Chinese opera music playing on a cheap transistor radio. He speaks absolutely no English.
Don't go at the very end of the day. You run the risk of having his battery operated clippers run out of power mid-haircut.
If a little old lady in a burgandy sweater wanders by and appears to be friends with the barber, don't ask her to take your picture while you are gettin your hair cut by The Guy Under the Bridge. She has never held or used a camera in her life.
Expect to get the thumbs up and a smirk from any westerners who happen to walk by.
My father started his career as a barber over forty years ago. As you're getting your hair cut by The Guy Under the Bridge, please keep my father's advice in mind: The difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is about three days.
HK$25 is about US$2.80
-Jack
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