The spirit of giving
Haircuts, toys and clothes at no cost at the Really Really Free Market
Esther Ng Today Online 23 Mar 09;
THERE may be no such thing as a free lunch, but yesterday, books, toys and designer togs, as well as services such as tarot reading and haircuts, were given away for free at the Really Really Free Market Singapore at Post Museum.
The people who gave away their services and belongings for free and those who took what was on offer subscribe to a philosophy of giving and helping the community.
“Why spend $30 on a haircut when all the stylist does is just trim off the length?” said Ms Biddy Low, who gave away free haircuts. The 29-year-old full-time musician taught herself hairstyling after her unsatisfactory experience with hairdressers.
Ms Harlina Samat, 23, who picked up Vera Wang and Bulgari perfumes at the first market on Jan 18, decided she would do some giving this time round.
“I think this whole idea of giving without expecting anything in return is great, especially during these recessionary times,” she said as she gave away her books and clothes.
“What you don’t want, someone else might need. Most people have too many material goods that they have no use for, so ... we can re-cycle and re-use.”
Some foreign workers in the neighbourhood popped in to have a look.
Mr Farooq Qasim, 26, was pleased with his finds. The Bangladeshi got himself a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and a short-sleeved shirt from a neat pile of clothing that was laid out on a mat. “I was surprised to learn that everything here was free. Not every day you can get things for free,” he said.
Equally pleased was Filipina expatriate housewife Sherlina Vasquez, who picked up two soft toys for her six-year-old son and three-year-old daughter. Ms Vasquez, who found out about the event through Facebook, told Today that she gave away a box of VCDs at the first event.
Asked if people might take advantage of the market, Ms Lai Chin Yun, 31, one of the givers said: “Well, no system is perfect. Even if 20 per cent are freeloaders, this is still helping 80 per cent — the majority.”
It’s this need to help and share that prompted Post Museum to start the market.
“Not everything is based on monetary value. People have the skills or the goods and they want to help. It’s also about getting people to think about alternatives to consumerism,” said organiser Jennifer Teo.
At 4pm, an hour after the market opened, there were not many people at the event. “It’s still early. People start coming in at around 5pm onwards,” saidMs Teo. Indeed, as the afternoon progressed, various people trooped in with bags and unpacked their stuff.
The next free market will be held in May. There is no need to pay for a spot. Just turn up at Post Museum, located at Rowell Road, between 3pm and 9pm. For more information, call Post Museum at 6396 3598.
The Really Really Free Market movement started in 2004 in the United States as a protest against globalisation and consumerism.
