Mr Lee, shoeblack
Shoeblack Mr Lee has been shining shoes for 58 years but didn’t own a pair himself until he was 14. Now in his 80s, Mr Lee is about to get his first shoe-shining government license after almost getting evicted for obstructing the road. He talks to Jojo Choi about high heels, tips and the freedom of being his own boss.
HK Magazine: What made you become a shoe shiner?
Lee: I’m illiterate and I’ve never been to school. I lived in poverty on the mainland so I decided to come to Hong Kong when I was about 14. I couldn’t find a job because I hardly knew any words. That’s why I taught myself shoe shining – so I could work. I enjoy a lot of freedom. There’s no regular working hours. Nobody can say a word - even if I don’t turn up.
HK: Is it a physically demanding job?
L: There’s no doubt it’s a tiring job. I have to sit here all day long waiting for customers to drop by, not to mention when the weather is bad. But I have no choice. I am suffering from various diseases including emphysema and osteophyte, and I have to pay for my medical fees. I’m used to it now. My wife and son are living in China and I’m making ends meet the only way I can.
HK: How much do you earn on average?
L: It depends. It changes with the weather, the economic environment and flow of passers-by. These days I usually earn around $250 per day if I work from noon to 6pm. I charge $25 for shining high heels or normal leather shoes. It may cost up to $60 for long boots. It’s really a matter of luck to have more customers.
HK: Do you have any frequent customers?
L: There are some familiar faces but people won’t wait. They will immediately turn to the other shoeblacks around if I’m busy at work when they arrive. Some foreigners come quite a lot but I can’t speak English to them. So there’s no way to keep them as my patrons. Furthermore, I am getting older and cannot recognize faces very well. I can’t tell even if well-known people drop by and pay for my service.
HK: Do people usually give you a tip? What’s the
biggest one?
L: There’s no certainty. Some give nothing and others may randomly give $5 to $10. I got $50 once which was very nice.
HK: Do you shine your own shoes?
L: I don’t have any leather shoes. I usually wear this pair of sandals because the soles of my feet are deformed. I walked barefoot as a child and the bones grew abnormally. I didn’t have my own shoes until I was about 14 years old.