Malaysian is often found in some evident but overlooked places, unseen for having been so obvious. A most authentic bit of Malaysian heritage – and reality – can be discovered in the Tamil barbershop.
Schedule interviews with Malaysian MPs?
No, we obviously can't bother them on a Sunday.
Plan for the English camp we're organising for secondary school students?
It can wait.
Answer emails?
Yeah, right. My inbox is way too full – way too scary at this point.
OK, how about writing a piece on economic development in southern Malaysia?
Really? That's what we're gonna do right now?
“No, but we really should get started on one of these th–” I start saying, before procrastinator Jon cuts me off.
“Listen, I have a great idea. Let's put this stuff aside and go get haircuts right now,” he says.
I pause for a second before realising that I feel no more inclined than Jon to accomplish anything on the agenda today. “Alright,” I agree. “Let's go.”
We hop into Jon's grey, dilapidated Proton and make our way to our usual haircut spot, Kedai Gunting Pertama, in the Bukit Perdana neighbourhood. It's a small, tidy Tamil barbershop located in a strip mall filled with delicious bakeries and Chinese restaurants. This is one of several thousand Indian-owned hair enterprises in Malaysia – some of which have been around since the 1930s.
As we walk in, I offer a knowing nod and smile to Ganesan, my barber, while Jon greets Jeeva, who's finishing up a taper for another customer.
