Granny Economics
I had the priviledge of testing the new OSIM massage chair. I was very impressed with human creativity and modern technology. This chair provides you with so many types of massages: healthy, relaxing, etc. One day if have enough savings, I’d like to get one for my parents who are nearing retirement. It would be so convenient for the my folks. They don’t have to call for a masseus, just go to the living room or the family room, and sit. Easy. Yet, it wasn’t as nearly as satisfying as having the ‘real thing’. OSIM Massage chair can never compare to human touch of a masseus.
It dawned upon me though, that modern technology can actually reduce the income of local masseurs. If one day OSIM massage chairs become as affordable as handphones are today, then the local masseurs will lose their source of income. I remember meeting a granny who took care of me during my ‘confinement’- post road accident care I’d say. She took pity on me cos I was alone, in a foreign city, nursing myself back to health (thank God for my friends).
Well, granny massages people for a living. However, she meets unscrupulous people who demand that she provides service at odd hours of the day (midnight and above), and some walk off without paying. Poor granny is so old and doesnt have the strength to run and scream foul, what more chase and give them a good spanking. So she is left incomeless.
BAd fortune befell nice granny that one day she fell and hurt herself quite badly. She is now very weak and can’t provide services anymore. Source of income depletes. One day I came to see her desperately needing a massage (body too tense, neck too stiff, etc). She wasnt well. So I didnt insist and respected her need to recuperate.
I realized that granny and many other masseurs have such a wonderful skill, and that people will always seek their services over OSIM. Too bad granny doesn’t have a manager to help her manage her ‘business’. She does it alone.
I also realized that I am a source of income to her too. Some people have offered to cook and clean for me after they found out that I leave for the office in the morning, and return very late. Honestly, I felt kinda embarassed but that’s the nature of Finance. If the numbers don’t balance, or don’t look right, or doesn’t reflect economic conditions, then…you have to reconcile them.
Though tempting, I declined as I knew I didnt have time to drive home and eat. Grabbing something at the office or town is better.
Never knew being the new kid on the block would be a big a responsbility. What I do know is, after leaving the city for so long, my sense of community awareness has expanded beyond my expectations. I was aware before, but even more aware now. Before I complain, I am reminded of those who are less fortunate than me.
Everytime I approach the OSIM chair, I remember Granny.
