Economy crisis?

I went to Mid Valley Mega Mall today and I was amazed with the vibrant activities in the shopping mall. Initially, I was a bit frustrated and skeptical as to why the parking signboard in 2 of the entrances said "Full" in bright Red light. I thought they were trying to usher us to another parking entrance / areas but when I manage to get down to the parking area, whoa .... it was really packed! I circled a few rounds to find a parking spot and that too I manage to find it at the other side of the building - The Gardens.

The shopping mall was full of people from all walks of life. Young, old, adults, children, aunties, uncles, etc. Don't these people have to work? or are they like me, trying to kill time -window shopping in a "free" air con environment! Hehe!

If you look at the activities in the mall, you could be deceived that our economy is still very vibrant and we have already got ourselves out of the financial crisis! People are spending money as if they are not affected by the slowdown!!! The expensive "lepak" places (where you want to see and to be seen) like The Coffee Bean, Starbucks and other exclusive renovated restaurants/cafe are quite pack with people.

There are promotional events strategically located at the entrance, lobby, center of the mall, etc. Most of the promotional products are targeted at ladies i.e. skin care products, perfumes, beauty care (make-up), except for one, Philips. They are promoting their latest LCD TV (3000 and 5000 series), DVD players, home teather systems and other gadgets. Of course I "kepoh" and investigate the gadgets.

Hmmm ... who says we are experiencing economic downturn??! Not these uncles, aunties!

Btw, our GDP growth rate in FY09Q1 shows that we are experiencing a negative 6.2% (source from our Statistic Dept of Malaysia).