As I understand it, Kikay is the Filipino term for beauty and primping. There is a TV show here called "Kikay Machine" where they teach you how to get the best body waxing, how to store your bras properly, get the best hair cut, etc... I learned a few things from this show, and also from just watching how people do things here. This is a much more service-oriented culture, so going to a salon or a spa is something that normal people do, not just wealthy people.
I'm not an economist, by any stretch, but here I've noticed that while groceries and goods here are cheaper than in the US (about 1/4 of the price), the most major difference is in the service/labor industries (beauty, cleaning, laundry, etc.... - about 1/10th the price). For instance, in NYC a massage would set you back $150, here it would be about 300-600 Pisos (by the current exchange rate, that would be $8-$12). This is probably also why medical tourism is taking off too, because the doctors don't charge a lot for their time. Seeing this first-hand has given me a lot of compassion regarding outsourcing (eg: call centers, etc...).
On a personal note, since I've been here I've noticed how uncomfortable I am with people doing things for me. Most stores have someone opening the door for you, and at the Burger King they have a lady who is paid to offer free hand massages.
I haven't taken advantage of the free hand massages yet because, while in theory it seems great, I have found the reality of having any kind of service a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps it's being descended from American homesteaders. I got the message that I must be independent and self-sufficient. If I'm not, I feel like I'm weak. I also noticed how much alone time I am used to, and how unusual that is here.
Like all good travels, I have learned even more about myself than the place I have visited.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
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Yeah, I remember when I went to South Africa, in the airport there was a guy who handed you a handtowel in the bathroom and that was a total shock. I ended up giving him an extravagant tip- 1 pound- (by his standards, not mine) and he looked at me like I was nuts.
Human time is such an expensive resource in the USA and we are really uncomfortable with people doing things for us. Like, my family uses maids, but its not something i really tell people- I always feel weird saying 'oh yeah we're having the cleaners over today...'. I would definitely like to replace my cleaners with robots, just because I wouldn't feel bad about it.
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