Barber's background gives him cutting edge over rivals

YINCHUAN — 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 with the advent of the digital age," he says.

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 when handling the razor. I realized this after my customers said they could never find another shave like mine," he says.

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 how they look," he says.

The shop's traditional Chinese decor stands in contrast to modern beauty salons, reflecting Ren's commitment to tradition. Oldtime pop songs serve as the background music in the shop.

Clients pay 38 yuan ($5.3) for each session, which includes a haircut and a 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 kung fu," says 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 has also drawn the attention of other barbers, with some of them seeking his advice and even asking to be his apprentice. However, Ren remains selective.

"I don't accept employees or apprentices, because they lack the calligraphy training and therefore the wrist skills like mine," he says.

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 says.