Mr. Lee is one of the few remaining shoe shiners in Hong Kong. For over decades, he has been working at a corner next to the Murray Road Multi-storey Car Park Building in Central.
Despite his old age of 77, Mr. Lee comes to work every day. Shoes after shoes, he keeps bowing down and concentrates on his work for around 9 hours a day. Sometimes, he even forgets to have lunch.
His endeavor to do the best impresses all. This great attitude brings him a good reputation in the industry and a bunch of regular customers.
A fading profession in Hong Kong
Back to the old days, Mr.Lee was one of the thousands shoe shiners in Hong Kong during the market bloom in 1950s.
When the industry started shrinking after years, as the only breadwinner in the family, Mr. Lee tried many different jobs in order to raise his five children.
Life is full of ups and downs.
Mr. Lee faced unemployment when he was at the age of 50 as people thought he was too old to work.
With a low education level and a lack of other skills, he started polishing shoes again on the street and has worked until today.
Mr.Lee can only earn around two to three thousand dollars a month. Although life is tough, he does not want to live on the government’s comprehensive social security assistance.
He walks through the storm, holding his head up high.
Nowadays, there are less than ten shoe shiners in Hong Kong. Mr. Lee believes that this distinguishing local feature is vanishing.
“Young people would not enter the industry. It’s a pity. But I would be content if people remember there was once a great shoe shiner working here after I die.” said Mr. Lee, with a smile on his wrinkled face.
Very touching story, Ceci! You must have some amazing interview techniques because you were able to successfully connect the audience with the subject through their voices. Also loved the use of incorporating commentary from other customers. Also you have captured some really picture-perfect moments.
Excellent photo quality!!! I esp like the close-ups of Mr Lee’s dirty hands and tools as well as customers’ faces! The way you put in customers’ reactions towards Mr Lee’s work makes the whole story lively as well! The nat sound also goes well with the old man’s action, as if I were in the scene witnessing how he’s polishing shoes! It’s particular impressive to see his behind -the-scene sides, like being given food by his customer! This really shows he commands good rapport from his customers! Great story!!!
Ceci, I re-run this story for several times already :p Still, I really love how you could insert sound bites of different customers, which made the story truly revealing and unique. And I love the whole sequence from a men taking a pair of shoes to the old man and asked for his service. As well as the close relationship between the customers and the shoe shiner. The photos are great, you capture them from different angles and style, I love the whole pack of them!