Starbucks in Kichijoji

Kichijoji is changing.

Which bit?

Especially that famous street, the one that’s in the guidebooks.

The one that runs from the station to Inokashira Park?

That’s the one. You know how the street used to have a nice atmosphere, lots of young people, lined with restaurants and coffee shops?

Used to?

Used to. Restaurants mostly gone now, Starbucks is hanging on. But it’s mainly lurching towards clothing stores. Shops selling shoes. And junky accessories.

Pity. The restaurants gave the street an ambience, even on wet nights. Bit too many young people for my taste but that did make the place lively. And now?

Now even primary school children are wandering up and down shopping for fashion goods.

Places change. No food to speak of at Starbucks so I guess we'll have to eat elsewhere.
...

Nina Wang and Hong Kong fashion

Tell me, why is fashion, like having a good bag and shoes, important?

It’s the first place people in Hong Kong look. They check what kind of bag you are carrying. They look at your shoes. It’s a statement about who you are.

And yet you say a lot fashion shopping is impulse buying?

You’d be surprised. I have 200 T shirts.

And most you have never worn?

Not most, but yes, many. I figure, one day I may buy something I can coordinate them with. It’s an investment.

An investment, eh? But isn’t it also important to talk well?

It’s important. But a good first impression will make people listen to what you say.

Even if what is said isn’t very scintillating, no doubt. Did Nina Wang care about her bags, her shoes?

Nina was different. She was frugal. Hong Kong people respected Nina, despite her fashion sense which mainly amounted to pigtails and leather mini-skirts.

But you respected her for being rich?

Oh yes. Like everyone.

So fashion is a demonstration of wealth in Hong Kong?

Nina didn’t need to demonstrate. She was beyond rich.