Falling in love with a Taiwanese girl 9 years his senior: A British expat opens a 'gentleman's barbershop' in Hualien

Reported and photographed by You T-Ru / Hualien
 
Walking in feels like stepping into a movie set, offering a cultural haircutting experience straight from Britain.


▲ At 28, Daniel opened the "British Gentleman Barbershop" in Hualien to share more of the gentleman culture with Taiwanese people.

Watching Daniel focus intently while cutting hair, it’s hard to believe he’s only 28. Five years ago, during a trip to Taiwan, he met Yachun, a Taiwanese woman nine years his senior, through friends. “When we first met, I told Daniel that if he ever came back, we’d be together,” Yachun said. She never expected him to return after traveling the world, but he did—and they began dating, got married, and have now been together for four years.

“Hello, what would you like to drink today?” Upon entering the British Gentleman Barbershop, the first thing you see is the bar. Wanting to offer customers a comfortable space to relax, Daniel provides drinks such as coffee, tea, and whiskey. Only then do clients sit in the specially designed barber chairs to discuss their hairstyle with Daniel. The tools, materials—even the scissors in Daniel’s hand—were all brought from the UK, ensuring an authentic British experience in every service.


▲ Upon entering, you can choose from coffee, whiskey, or other beverages.


▲ All tools and services mirror those found in the UK.

Daniel started learning the ropes in British barbershops at age 13, sweeping floors, became an apprentice at 16, and earned a professional hairstylist license. With over 10 years of experience, he chose to open a barbershop when settling in Taiwan.“At first, I was scared and hesitant because of the language barrier, and I wasn’t sure if Taiwanese people would accept a foreigner—especially one running a men-only barbershop.”


▲ Daniel has over 10 years of experience and shows great respect for his clients’ comfort during haircuts.


During his travels across Taiwan, Daniel noticed that most men’s haircuts were mainly offered by older barbers.“No one had opened a barbershop dedicated solely to men’s haircuts, so I thought I’d give it a try.” Eager to bring British-style gentleman services to Taiwan, the shop not only features British tools but also offers a “Traditional British Shave.”

The shave begins with a hot towel to soften the beard, followed by multiple passes with shaving cream and a razor, then a cold towel to close the pores, aftershave lotion, and finally a spritz of cologne. This half-hour ritual demands Daniel’s full concentration, with deep respect for the customer being central to the “gentleman culture.” Even a simple haircut and wash takes over an hour to ensure every detail is perfect.


▲ A focused Daniel performing a traditional shave.


A British expat opening a barbershop in downtown Hualien certainly turned heads, but the real question was whether he could cut hair well—that’s what customers cared about. Daniel said that initially, he was the only barber, but as more customers came, including regulars from different parts of Taiwan, he felt encouraged. “I’m really happy that Taiwanese people embrace this kind of barber service.” He later hired Taiwanese barbers, and now the shop has four stylists in total.

Getting a haircut from Daniel is truly one of life’s little pleasures—you can enjoy a drink and experience classic British service. A full haircut and wash costs just NT$500, which is astonishingly cheap compared to Taipei shops that often charge over NT$1,000. When asked if he might raise prices, Daniel responded:“This price makes it affordable for more people. I just want Taiwanese people to experience this wonderful gentleman service culture.”

Daniel’s dream is to share the experience of gentleman culture with more people in Taiwan.


British Gentleman Barbershop – Cutting Edge Barber Shop
Address: No. 239-1, Bo’ai Street, Hualien City
Phone: (03) 8311 819
Business Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00–20:00; Saturday and Sunday 10:00–19:00


▲ Exterior view.