ah...Singapore
“ You like buy fake watch ? “ was an interesting question to ask someone wearing a real one I thought.
“ Thanks…got a real one “ I responded while showing off my Timex and the Malaysian gentleman scurried off to find some other potential customer. Later I learned of the hardcore crack down by the Singapore government to attach a respectful image to a cottage industry that was giving Singapore a bad name. Perfect replicas of Rolex watches. The government wasn’t all that intrusive however as it allowed the business to continue on the proviso that it was honest in disclosure of its product. And even with this honesty there was still a healthy demand for these perfect replicas.
Weeks later I returned to Singapore after the horrors of Pakistan to indulge a few days before flying home to Australia. On the last day I had enjoyed a few Singapore Slings at the Raffles Hotel where the rightfully famous drink was invented before heading back to Orchard Road where I had rented a room. That’s where I encountered a man on the street ……
“ You like I make you shirts….six dolla piece ?”
“ Sorry…I’m on a flight this evening , don‘t have the time.”
“ No ploblem ….… make you shirt haffower .”
Make me shirt haffower ?…..well I figured this had to be worth the price of admission and so followed the old guy down some alleys to his place of business. Once there I was immediately shown some cotton fabrics while some Asian lovelies swarmed over me with tape measures. During the promised and fairly accurate half hour wait I peeked behind some curtains to witness a dozen or so Chinese ladies all busy sewing alligators on the breasts of soon to be Izod shirts.
I still purchase Izod shirts….. and I think of that place every time I put one on.
