Page 69 - Stories from our Grandparents

Mdm Maneesa remember it like it was only hen I was young, I Mdm Poh Kwee Tin Born 1941
Binte Jaffar Born 1931 I never felt the need to
yesterday. I was a child when my
By Nurul A’ini Sariman parents along with my four siblings put on lipsticks or face By Elrica Goh
ITE College East
ITE College East and I, moved to Singapore from Wpowder. But since I
Muar, Johor, to start a new life. grew older, I became vainer and liked
to apply them. In my younger days,
I lived through the Second World War and the harrowing memories from we were mainly concerned with basic necessities and
the turbulent pre-independence days stayed with me for a long time. cosmetics was considered a luxury. I remember
using Hazeline Snow cream that cost $1.50 then.
“In one incident, I was in the plantation helping my It was popular among young women in
family tap rubber when we heard a loud bombing. my village. I knew of beauty products such as

We immediately tried to burrow ourselves under the Yardley and Avon which were often used by women in the higher
rubber tree. In that moment, I did not know if I could income bracket. However, we stuck to cheaper alternatives such
as rice compact powder or any talcum powder from China.
live to see another day.”
As a young girl, my daily wear had always been tee-shirts and pants.
After what seemed like forever, the bombing stopped and we ran quickly Unlike today’s women, we only get to buy new clothes about once or
into our house. We could not go outside to work or source for food and twice a year. Special clothes such as ‘qipao’ are rare and few. Hence
would only remain indoors for fear of the Japanese. There were days when we took great care of them and would wear them over and over
we would go without food. These were the darkest and most difficult days of again for special occasions such as weddings or family gatherings.
my life.
It was fashionable for Chinese women to go for a haircut and perm just
Our family lived in Jalan Mata Ayer and in the early days in before the Chinese New Year. During those times, a haircut would cost from
Singapore, I travelled to most places on foot. There were days $3 to $5. A perm would cost about $10 to $12. For those in the lower income
when putting food on the table was a struggle. My first group, these charges were considered expensive. But for someone as vain
job was in an orange drink factory - the hours were as I was, it was expensive but a must-have!
long and the pay a pittance. After many years,
I applied for a food license to start up a small “To supplement my family income, I worked part-
food business. I would sell kueh- time as a washerwoman for $2 per basket of clothing.
kueh and Nasi Lemak in the morning
and gravy dishes in the evening along with a I also collected old newspapers at 3 cents per one
much-loved local favourite – ice kachang. kilogramme. The pay was meagre but we got by. We
were a tenacious lot and never let our poverty put us down.”
I marvel at the Singapore we have
today. I hope the younger generation Nowadays, I put on lipsticks and face powder with rouge whenever
would appreciate what they have I go out with my family and friends. They often tease me but the
now. I pray they never have to live cosmetics made me more confident and happier. Even though my
through what I did. children gave me money, I only spend on things that I will use. I
practise prudence as I had been brought up during difficult years.

10 Grandma Stories Grandma Stories 11