You know, I'd like to think that it is for Very Good Reason that the outlets of Don Don Donki islandwide continue to remain open during the Circuit Breaker period.
It isn't only because they are essential- even though they are- with their supply of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, fresh milk, fresh seafood, fresh meats and ready-prepped meals.
It also isn't only because they have the essentials one needs for self preservation, self-respect, and self care (toiletries and lotions and toys and nail polish and ice cream and floor cleaner)
But it is because they have two things that other supermarkets don't.
They have the brightest, happiest-looking shelving system I've never seen elsewhere .
And they have a jingle that plays nonstop and so rings nonstop in your head.
You might think it unimportant- who cares about colors and maze-like shelves and bright colored postcards written with marker? You might also think it unnecessary- after all the guidelines are such that you're supposed to just go in, grab what you want, and go.
But it is precisely because we're supposed to be at home as much as possible and not come out except for essentials that these colorful shelves, bright colors, and handwritten placards become important.
I've said it before, but any opportunity to cheer up oneself and gear up for the day is a welcome one. It is in a time like this that we need colors, we need lively music and we need entertainment in skilful, yet functional visuals.
Okay, maybe they are meant to encourage you to buy (and buy) but we cannot deny that a happy sight creates a happy heart.
This is a place that helps you kill time, lets you (at good times) wander aimlessly amongst the shelves even if you're in some sort of daze, and welcomes you to be curious about their products, their variety, and their merchandise.
The colors here are wonderful, bright and cheery. At first look they seem disorganized, but look closer and you will realize that within the supposed chaos lies a system that matches item for item, color for color, purpose for purpose, and DDD cuts no difference between a child's love for gummy sweets, or an adult's love for them.
Near the shelves of the instant noodles are the shelves for sticks of (very serious looking) coffee and tea. Near the shelves of sweetened coffee and fructose laden fruit juices are the bottles of unsweetened green, and lavender flower tea.
There is really something for everyone.
No one stops you if you decide to check out the stacks of Calbee's healthy cereals. No one looks at you funny when you stand confused in front of the shelf filled with (so many kinds!) of instant ramen and wonder which flavor you should buy. And no one gives a hoot when you hover between the displays of fragrant shampoos and lotions trying to decide which scent will boost your mood better in the bathroom of your home.
I should know.
Before CB started, there was this one day where I felt kind of pensive and kind of emo and kind of low, but because I had a bit of time to kill, I took a gander into the outlet at Orchard Central.
Don't ask me what happened, but somewhere whilst wandering between the displays of airflown salmon, rolls of sushi, and meats for Yakiniku, somewhere between dazedly gazing at the shelves of biscuits and potato chips and instant noodles and bottled tea, my mood lifted.
Significantly.
That feeling of oddity was gone. That emo emo vibe was gone. I found myself singing along unconsciously to the "Donki! Donki!" part of the jingle. And I felt so lively that I marched back home armed with one platter of Omurice (the egg omelet over rice dish) and one platter of Teriyaki chicken.
Even though I had been planning to dine on Nissin's Kyushu White Instant Noodle.
It isn't only because they are essential- even though they are- with their supply of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, fresh milk, fresh seafood, fresh meats and ready-prepped meals.
It also isn't only because they have the essentials one needs for self preservation, self-respect, and self care (toiletries and lotions and toys and nail polish and ice cream and floor cleaner)
But it is because they have two things that other supermarkets don't.
They have the brightest, happiest-looking shelving system I've never seen elsewhere .
And they have a jingle that plays nonstop and so rings nonstop in your head.
You might think it unimportant- who cares about colors and maze-like shelves and bright colored postcards written with marker? You might also think it unnecessary- after all the guidelines are such that you're supposed to just go in, grab what you want, and go.
But it is precisely because we're supposed to be at home as much as possible and not come out except for essentials that these colorful shelves, bright colors, and handwritten placards become important.
I've said it before, but any opportunity to cheer up oneself and gear up for the day is a welcome one. It is in a time like this that we need colors, we need lively music and we need entertainment in skilful, yet functional visuals.
Okay, maybe they are meant to encourage you to buy (and buy) but we cannot deny that a happy sight creates a happy heart.
This is a place that helps you kill time, lets you (at good times) wander aimlessly amongst the shelves even if you're in some sort of daze, and welcomes you to be curious about their products, their variety, and their merchandise.
The colors here are wonderful, bright and cheery. At first look they seem disorganized, but look closer and you will realize that within the supposed chaos lies a system that matches item for item, color for color, purpose for purpose, and DDD cuts no difference between a child's love for gummy sweets, or an adult's love for them.
Near the shelves of the instant noodles are the shelves for sticks of (very serious looking) coffee and tea. Near the shelves of sweetened coffee and fructose laden fruit juices are the bottles of unsweetened green, and lavender flower tea.
There is really something for everyone.
No one stops you if you decide to check out the stacks of Calbee's healthy cereals. No one looks at you funny when you stand confused in front of the shelf filled with (so many kinds!) of instant ramen and wonder which flavor you should buy. And no one gives a hoot when you hover between the displays of fragrant shampoos and lotions trying to decide which scent will boost your mood better in the bathroom of your home.
I should know.
Before CB started, there was this one day where I felt kind of pensive and kind of emo and kind of low, but because I had a bit of time to kill, I took a gander into the outlet at Orchard Central.
Don't ask me what happened, but somewhere whilst wandering between the displays of airflown salmon, rolls of sushi, and meats for Yakiniku, somewhere between dazedly gazing at the shelves of biscuits and potato chips and instant noodles and bottled tea, my mood lifted.
Significantly.
That feeling of oddity was gone. That emo emo vibe was gone. I found myself singing along unconsciously to the "Donki! Donki!" part of the jingle. And I felt so lively that I marched back home armed with one platter of Omurice (the egg omelet over rice dish) and one platter of Teriyaki chicken.
Even though I had been planning to dine on Nissin's Kyushu White Instant Noodle.