Materialism is alive and well in the Philippines. I was just commenting today that of all the wonderful things about the United States, what seems to get imported to other cultures is generally the worst of America, other than the fact that people are free to do those sorts of things. You can find most American brand names, stores, under-clad models, freaky hair styles, ratty-looking brand new clothes, etc. The Philippines is a poor country, made poorer by rampant corruption and greed, but the metro area is not representative of that. Here there are HUGE malls, larger than any I've been to in the States, often connected by aerial walkways from one huge lot of stores to another. There are many "Japan Stores" where you can find inexpensive goods of varying quality, but there are also Prada and Ralph Lauren.
The work force is interesting. Every venue we have visited (including one mall named "A-Venue") has every worker in a uniform. Everyone who works for the mall has a uniform, and everyone who works for each store has a uniform, and every store has one or two uniformed security guards at every door. The young women are all beautiful, and every one, usually on their feet for long hours every day, wears four- or more inch high heels with the pointiest toes imaginable. I cannot think how their feet and legs must feel at the end of the day!
When you walk into the store, the security guard, basically, checks you in. If you are carrying a large bag, such as a backpack, you will probably be asked to leave it there. He always greets you with, "Hello, Ma'am, Hello, Sir," as does every salesperson you ever encounter. Generally you are in the store less than two minutes when you are greeted, and generally you will have two or three or more who, simultaneously, ask how they can help you. At first we felt somewhat like royalty. At one store we went to last week, the security guard met me at my car door and held an umbrella for me, to keep me out of the sun! Lovely. But, shopping under the eye of three or four salespeople is also a little intimidating--"I'm just LOOKING!" It can sometimes be quite amusing. One day I was looking for a king-sized top sheet, and they didn't have any. Three or four times they suggested the lovely mattress pads they had on sale that day, instead! That would have been comfy!
Every item one buys is thoroughly checked before it is rung up. A set of glasses in a box will be opened and the rims and bases of each one checked for nicks. A lamp will have a bulb placed in it and be turned on. An appliance will be plugged in and run through all it's settings to make sure it works. An electric fan will be completely assembled, turned on to each speed, then repacked in the box. This is something I would like to take home with me! When you pay, they will say, "I received 1000 P from you, Ma'am." and then count out the change.
Every package is sealed with a staple, or, with larger items, tied shut with plastic tape that makes a carrying handle. If the item is large or there are many, they will carry them out to the car for you. Sometimes they will turn down a tip, but most often, accept it gratefully. Wages here can be equivalent to about $10/day, which may explain how stores can afford to hire so many!
We have come to appreciate the security guards because they will often help you to back out into traffic, or some other maneuver. When you leave the store and the shopping center, they always thank you for shopping and say good bye.
We actually did not go shopping today. It was supposed to be P-Day, but we had a contract that needed to be signed today. We arrived about 45 minutes early, partly because there was no traffic in our area and partly because the owner had lots on their drive, so we decided to take the elders to McDonald's. They were well-pleased, and since we hadn't been there yet, we were glad to try it out. I'm happy to report that Sausage-Egg McMuffins taste the same here as at home!
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