By Alex 
For the last 15 years, Andrew Ong of Ipoh has been my hairstylist.
He’s been able to do what no other hairstylist I’ve tried has succeeded at: sculpting my brittle-as-dried-hay, insanely thick hair into a smooth, well-defined bob.
Thing is, in the last year, I was unable to go back to my hometown and my lion’s mane was going out of control.
Out of desperation, I walked into a hair saloon near my Penang home.
A very youthful looking chap was the only stylist available.
Nervously, I sat down and in halting Mandarin, explained what I wanted.
Settling into my seat, I decided to make some small talk to diffuse my nervousness.
I asked Deyong how old he was.
“Oh I’ll be coming to 22 this year,” he answered.
Yikes! Could I entrust my hair to someone so young …?
It was too late now.
Before he started, I showed him some Tiktok videos that Andrew had sent me. They were of techniques to “tame” my unruly hair. (I believe only people who have absolute confidence in their ability, just like chefs who give away their recipes freely, can share knowledge so generously).
As I showed the young man the videos, it belatedly occurred to me: Alamak, what if he took it the wrong way and was offended?
Deyong watched the videos intently. I couldn’t tell his expression behind his mask (this was not long after COVID19, so I actually was glad he wore one)
He said, “Ms Wong, as this is my first time dealing with your hair, I may not be able to replicate the exact outcome, but I will try my best.”
My heartbeat started to slow down. As I relaxed, I slipped into journalist mode.
“How did you get into the hairdressing line?” I asked.
“Botak.” He replied promptly.
“Huh?” (For non-Malaysians, Botak means “bald”)
He explained, “I was studying at a school in Penang that required us to shave our heads bald. When it was time for me to decide what I wanted to do with life, I wanted a career that brought out my creativity, and perhaps after years of missing out an important element in my life, I wanted to go back to it.”
Cute! I liked his refreshing candour.
Deyong was extremely detailed. By the time he was done, almost 1 1/2 hours had passed.
“We are taught by the academy to be meticulous and try to fulfil customer’s needs. That means we can’t cut corners.”
I gazed at my newly-shorn head in the mirror. He had done a remarkable job. Andrew would have been proud.
Indeed, youth is no indicator of talent, or rather the lack of talent.
As I paid up, Deyong said pleasantly, “Miss Wong, please let me know how it grows out in the next couple of weeks. If you do give me another chance to cut your hair again, I will do my best to fine-tune and improve myself.”
I was floored. By his hair cutting, interpersonal skills, humility, and learning attitude.
For the record, I’ve gone back to Deyong many, many times since.
Oh and Hair Factory of Bayan Indah, this guy is an absolute gem. You’re so lucky to have hired him!
ET