Barbers, Face threaders, Films and Fortune Tellers

Posted by shaun wong under Museums/Heritage Galleries
(8) Comments • (7763) Reads • Permalink

We experienced Vanishing Chinatown Trades first-hand this morning at Chinatown Heritage Centre.

Mobile Cinema

Did you know movies were charged according to duration back in the old days?

If this pricing strategy applied today, just imagine how much Lord of the Rings / Star Wars / Titanic / (Insert Bladder-Busting Film Title Here) would set you back.

The films currently screened are Mickey Mouse, Woody Woodpecker and Westerns ‘Hopalong Cassidy’ and ‘The Comedy Gang’, which were actual films that were shown in the past.

Parakeet Fortune Teller

We got our fortune read by a fortune teller who relies on a parakeet to pick her cards.

Here’s how it works.

You tell the fortune teller your name.

She relays your name and instructs the parakeet to pick a card.

The parakeet picks up a card which tells your fortune.

Traditional Barber

‘How traditional?’, we wondered.

Well, Mr Lee does offer shaves with razors of the non-Gilette variety.

His tools have a vintage feel…

… and he also performs ear cleaning services.

While cleaning my ears, Mr Lee was kind enough to offer tips to avoid inflammation of the ear cavity while doing my own cleaning.

While seated in the barber’s chair, I overheard a visitor tell his friend that his first experience with ear cleaning was a bit intimidating. But after that, he’d never patronise barbers who didn’t offer this service. Sounds like a good time to plug Mr Lee’s Wah Keow Barbershop at 51 Joo Chiat Place.

Face threading

We gave this traditional beauty routine for removing facial hair a shot.

The beautician starts off by powdering your eyebrows.

Then instructs you to use your finger to keep your eyelid shut.

And she’s off!

The lady in green was telling her friend how she used to follow her mother along for her face-threading sessions.

Tools of the trade

Freshly-threaded eyebrows!

Another satisfied customer

From 26 - 28 May 2006, every entry ticket to Chinatown Heritage Centre’s galleries allows you to enjoy these activities for free.

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(8) Comments

Posted by: chunsee
Posted on: May 26th, 2006

Thanks for the photos. I like the one of the powder box (3rd from the bottom). My mother used to apply this powder. If my memory serves me well, she calls it Hoi Tong Fun (???)in Cantonese. The barber in Our Kampongalso was just like the one you described.

Posted by: Emily
Posted on: May 26th, 2006

Hey! I think I was there at Chinatown Heritage Centre the same time as you today. I recognize your screaming friend from the face threading. Scared me totally! Sounded like it hurt alot!

Posted by: toycon
Posted on: May 26th, 2006

Hey there Emily, thanks for dropping by our site, hope you enjoyed your time at Chinatown Heritage Centre as much as we did. About our screaming friend, she was just being theatrical, weren't you, angela?

Posted by: amy
Posted on: May 27th, 2006

Ya, she so was! We wanted to U-tube her. I did the threading after her and it didn't hurt at all.

Posted by: py
Posted on: May 27th, 2006

It seems like in order not to ruin the good business of the face threading beautician, angela might wish to hold a sign saying "For theatrical effects only". *just joking*