Ren Zhanping shaves a customer at his barber shop in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Dec. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)
YINCHUAN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- In the city of Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, 60-year-old calligrapher-turned-barber, Ren Zhanping, is making waves with his distinctive approach to grooming.
Ren, who caters to a dozen clients daily, believes that grooming brings a radiant perspective to life.
Ren had been a barber in his youth, and then parted ways with the trade, before picking up his old profession again three years ago as he entered his elder years.
"I once worked for an advertisement agency, writing shop brand names and painting pictures on the wall. But the trade has become too competitive after the coming of the digital age," he said.
Ren's calligraphy skills, honed since childhood, have given him a unique edge in wielding the razor.
"Calligraphy practice and training gave me a very strong yet dexterous wrist in handling the razor. I realized this after my customers said they could never find another shaver like me," he said.
Ren named the barber shop, located at the corner of a narrow street, "Mianzi," which means "appearance."
"The shop is named 'Mianzi' because it is very important for people to keep good appearances. A lot of young people come regularly to my shop because they care a lot about their appearances," he said.
The shop's traditional Chinese decor stands in contrast to modern beauty salons, reflecting Ren's commitment to tradition. Old-time pop songs serve as the background music in the shop.
Clients pay 38 yuan (about 5.3 U.S. dollars) for each session, which includes hair cutting, head and neck massage. Ren's use of vapor adds a touch of comfort to the experience.
"I come here at least once a month, because I like the cleanness and the atmosphere of the shop. Moreover, I cannot find the same skill as Ren's, and his wrist kungfu," said a customer surnamed Ma.
Ren now makes over 15,000 yuan a month, higher than the average barber. He also maintains a loyal VIP clientele of over 100 people.
His success also draws the attention of many other barbers, with some of them seeking his advice and even desiring to be his apprentices. However, Ren remains selective.
"I don't accept employees or apprentices, because they lack the calligraphy trainings and therefore the wrist skills like me," he said.
Even his two sons, who run a beauty salon, choose not to replicate their father's model. "They have their own pedigree in the trade," Ren said. ■
This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2023 shows Ren Zhanping's barber shop in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)
