In the ‘70s I was a part of the growing company, good ole JC, a true American icon. Back then when I was in management, we could not even open on Sundays, much less at 4 a.m. for a special holiday promotion known as Black Friday.Since coming to Turkey I have watched with keen interest the developments here in the retailing sector and the increase of consumerism.
Turks love to go window-shopping. Often they even make a purchase or two. Did you know that researchers have found that low self-esteem and materialism go hand in hand? If you were to ask your friends what kind of mood they need to be in to go shopping, many would say usually they go shopping when they are feeling bored or down.
Some foreigners avoid the shopping malls like the plague when they are back home. Often they’re shocked when they arrive in İstanbul and pass numerous mega-stores and shopping malls before reaching their destination. Here’s a comment received from a Today’s Zaman reader:
Dear Charlotte, I was surprised when I landed in İstanbul and found myself in the middle of a consumer jungle. I avoided going to these places back home. They are traps! I don’t have the discipline to not use my plastic. Besides, most shopping centers are usually bedlam -- especially before any special holiday. I mean, the shops are full of uproar and confusion. Why, it’s chaos and commotion and a plain madhouse! I came to Turkey to get away from all the materialism and consumerism. Boy was I surprised to see how Turkey has changed since I was here in the 1960s! From Cynthia.
Dear Cynthia, you are right about the number of shopping centers around and even more are under construction. I have a friend who is convinced that İstanbulites have enough venues for shopping. She argues that more parks are needed for jogging, bicycling, playing basketball and tennis and for skateboarding. I agree!
What developers don’t realize is that when they decide to build another shopping center they are adding to the traffic congestion problem. You may ask how this is. Generally, the streets around the shopping location are not wide enough and parking is insufficient. Even if the shopping mall has underground parking getting in or out of the parking lot causes major traffic jams and pollution.
Isn’t it like Liza Minnelli sings -- most Turks who listen to Western music know the words or the tune -- money, money, money!
The lyrics go something like this:
Money money money money...
Mark, a yen, a buck or a pound,
That clinking, clanking, clunking sound,
Is all that makes the world go ‘round,
It makes the world go ‘round!
I came across this blog comment on www.dailygalaxy.com
The blogger writes: “I can absolutely relate to this concept. Literally, the only time I ever want to go shopping is when I’m down. I have a handmade magnet on my fridge that says: ‘You need to get more things. You don’t have enough. Go to Wal-Mart and buy something. You’ll be happier.’”
It’s not Wal-Mart here, it’s IKEA, Carrefour, Real, Metro…
Have you noticed when you make a purchase at some Turkish merchants that often they will ask you which option you prefer? It does not even matter how much you spend. I spent YTL 60 in one shop recently and had the option to pay it off in six months or more. Of course, you have to have the credit card that has these special offers for monthly payment. Situations like this make me wonder whether or not Turkey is not too far behind places like America when it comes to consumerism.
I’d like to hear our Today’s Zaman readers’ opinions. Drop me a note and let me know what you think. Perhaps Turks are not as materialistic as other nationalities yet. After all, there are not any mega-stores open 24/7. On the other hand, I have never seen a mega-store in the US with as many cash registers as some of the mega-stores have here. Hmm.
Here’s a thought: “The only reason a great many American families don’t own an elephant is that they have never been offered an elephant for a dollar down and easy weekly payments.” -- Mad Magazine
