Translation:
Jogja – Asa Aminudin alias Udin, a classic barber in North Jogja’s Alun-alun, has never faltered. Udin always sticks to his principle of generating wealth, which has allowed him to run his business for 20 years.
Behind the story of Udin, there is the figure of his wife. Udin recalls that before opening his barbershop, he was confused because he had stopped working. He then wanted to open a kiosk but was hindered by model and cost. Eventually, his wife encouraged him to set up a stall at Alun-alun Utara.
"Saya harus kerja kan terus tapi terbentur modal, saat istri saya masih dia bilang begini ‘coba kamu buka potong di bawah beringin Alun-alun’, sana sudah banyak sudah tiga orang, ‘rezeki itu sudah ada yang mengatur’, akhirnya saya masuk. Ternyata saya ikut jalan seperti berlomba empat, sekarang sudah nggak ada semua terus ada yang datang (tukang pangkas rambut) sudah meninggal, di sini lama nggak kena masalah karena sudah tua mungkin disuruh istirahat sama anaknya, habislah," ujar Udin di lapaknya, Minggu (1/1/2023).
According to him, there are not many people who still maintain classic barbershops like his. Now, there are many more modern barbershops in Jogja.
"Setahu saya memang di Malioboro ada di kios sekarang sudah nggak ada, sekarang malah menjamur. Namun mayoritas Madura banyak sekali di mana-mana, di kios. Lihat saja dari ujung selatan timur utara barat yang ‘full AC’ alias di bawah pohon beringin di tempat terbuka, dicari saja ada tidak, mungkin tinggal ini hanya satu ini setahu saya," tutur Udin.
He also laughs when asked about competition with other barbers in the kios. He says that many people ask him about this, but he believes that with his principle, everyone will get their ration of wealth as long as they work and are grateful.
"Banyak orang yang menanyakan sekarang banyak barbershop malah sepertinya menjamur, seperti saya seperti ketinggalan zaman apa nggak merasa tersaingi atau tersingkir. Kalau saya begini cara berpikir itu rezeki sudah ada yang mengatur manusia dikasih nyawa atau hidup selama mau bekerja dikasih rezeki, entah caranya betul atau salah semua orang dikasih rezeki kan, cuman yang salah nggak usah dibicarakan," kata Udin.
He also shares that most of his customers are men, while those from the younger generation are fewer. The satisfaction of his customers and the affordable price are the main reasons they come to his shop.
"Mayoritas itu bapak-bapak, kalau dihitung jumlah anak muda masih kalah sama bapak-bapak, karena bapak-bapak itu setahu saya yang penting rapi bersih pelayanan memuaskan tarifnya ya tempat seperti ini dengan uang segitu saja berani datang. Kalau di kios atau apa lagi salon uangnya mesti segini (banyak)," ucap Udin.
In addition, Udin shares that most of his regular customers are older men. He also shares a of stories about the men who come to his shop, including those who want to try a new style or just want to feel relaxed.
"Ada yang ke sini karena ingin coba. Dulu kalau memang pakai mobil itu dari awal ibaratnya agak setengah heran mau di sini tapi kan cuman dalam hati, malah dia yang ngomong ‘saya potong di sini itu bukan saya ngirit keuangan ndak saya di sana bisa pak’. Alasannya pertama tempatnya santai, kedua hasilnya nggak jauh dari tarif yang segitu (mahal), ketiga orang seperti itu kan sudah mampu kenapa harus saya kasih lagi. Soal lebih memang sengaja kasih lebih, mereka sangat mengapresiasi," kata Udin meneceritakan kisah dari pelanggannya.