Friday, September 10, 2010
Wet market
A visit on the 511 wet market near my house seems simple enough, but it triggered a lot of thoughts in the capacity I'm in now.
When I was less than 7 days into work, I was tasked to research on the different forms of markets around the world, and what exactly makes our Singaporean kind of wet markets so unique and special.
I'm not sure if many people knows, but Sheng Shiong bought over 5 + 1 wet markets at the last quarter of last year, and rumours have it that they plan to convert them into supermarkets.
As I search through our news data base, I came to know that this led to a flurry of forum letters to the Straits Times, defending the sights and sounds of the wet markets. Some even term it as a cultural heritage in Singapore, something we should preserve even if it doesn't make economic sense.
My workplace is heavily involved in this issue, and this led to some thoughts about something I know is there, but I seldom bother to go visit it.
I remember when I was young, marketing was a daily affair. As an obedient (albeit reluctantly) small boy, I followed grandma to the wet market, almost every single day. I remembered the uncles and aunties from every single stall, and whenever we needed to buy any fresh foods, the wet market naturally comes first to our minds.
When I grow up, I kinda forgot its presence. Whenever I needed to buy something, I tend to go to the SS supermarket, which has like almost every foodstuff I need. I knew that this supposedly cheap supermarket caused the unemployment of my neighbour who used to sell fishballs at the adjacent 538 market, but as a young person, this thing just happens.
As I grow older, I tend to appreciate the older things more, and change less. Actually, I don't know. I don't really shop at the wet market, but somehow, this is the place where the neighbouring uncles and aunties come together on their daily rountines, to chit chat and bitch about the latest food prices. New estates with foodcourts and supermarkets (the model which my unit manages) just doesn't seem to have that same 'life' as good old Bedok, with hawker centres and wet markets.
The nostalgic me wants them to stay. However, the young me doesn't what to shop there. The economic me knows that if we do not shop there, they will cease to be economically viable, hence a gradual decline.
Nostlagia, nostlagia. Is viewing things from outside the glass panel possible to make something stay? I'm not so sure. As I grow older, the more I am afraid of change. Cos deep down I know, if we keep phasing out old things, sooner or later it will be our turn.
I'm glad that for now, 511 market stays...
lowtide blogged @
6:35 pm
