Few weeks ago I was at one of the most prominent shopping center in Jakarta, known for its inexpensive but qualified products and a heaven for wholesalers. It is now as well a bliss for expatriates, for which I saw them gleefully bring two, three, four or more plastic bags and without complaining walked along narrow aisles, bumped other people’s body from one store to another, covered with sweat (yes sometimes the air conditioner doesn’t work), even if they were well-informed that the thing they have or they will purchase might not be the original one.

The shopping center is always packed with people. I think that’s why merchants always make an effort to maximize their presence, be it in quite sizable store or simply a small booth or yet a table at a counter. Owners typically put writings in way to make customers be alert for what they sell. What made me astounded, and constantly do, was some notes put at the edge of a table or on the wall:

Hair removal
Armpit whitener
Eyebrows grower
Teeth whitener
Bust firmer
Blemish removal

I hardly understand that they could provide numbers of instant solutions within a table. That’s the first one. Second, how many people are attracted and eventually come to buy one (or even all) of the products? Third, do they really work? (Let’s leave this question unanswered. I’m not keen to try, unless you have, then you may kindly tell me).

But what tickles more is, everybody will surely recognize that all of the products tend to be consumed by women. Are we that desperate to have all the listed problems solved? Me, for instance. Should I am offered to buy one, I would might be interested to pay for eyebrows grower (since they really do not have their identity there, clinging above my eyes). However I will think once, twice, third times and so forth, and we will be brought back the third question: do they REALLY work? What if they have more side effect than you have ever imagine, like your eyebrows be dismissed forever? Yes, women are demanded to look appropriate. But seems that you have not done enough just whitening your face (it’s recently common to think that white skin is perfectly beautiful, even though I disagree), your teeth, and today: your armpit as well. How many times will you raise your arm and display the armpit to the public just to have them say that it is indeed smooth and flawless?

Then again, for some ladies, hair is meant to grow only on top of your head, not at the other part of the body. I can recall on how women feel necessary to remove all the unwanted. Isn’t it hilarious to discover that, like me, some will make it grow in another place, while taking it away at the other area? Well, I don’t think that we will easily restructure what has been made by God.

Next time remind me to come to one of the counter to ask for the price, and where the products are formulated. I really want to find out.