Total Makeover

Another blog about malls. But then again, Asians really take the whole concept of a shopping to the next level. Yesterday I came back from a trip along the coast of Myanmar where I barely saw any people for a week. I made a 24-hour-stop in Bangkok and strolled trough the city center to get used to civilization again. As in almost any Asian metropolis, Thais seem to spend every free minute in gigantic shopping malls. You buy new clothes on 1F, meet your friends for coffee on 2F, shop some more iPhones/pet accessories/designer chairs on 3F, take the elevator to 5F where you go to the gym, afterwards you have dinner on 6F. (Americans might be familiar with that idea of spending quality time.)

Siam Center, probably the fanciest mall in Bangkok, offers an even more wholistic consumer experience. On the 4th floor there is hair and nail salon, a dentist – and a beauty clinic (which actually looks more like a boutique spa with nurses). So if you think your face doesn’t match your new dress or shoes anymore, besides getting a new haircut or your teeth bleached, you can get your eyes lifted and a nose job as well. All in one afternoon. Out comes the fully optimized consumer of the 21st century.