My poor car has been so covered with dust and grime I could barely see out the windows. I kept meaning to hose it down but never got round to doing it. After being repeatedly warned by my dad that the grime will eat through my paint job leaving it looking like a leprosy victim, I decided to take it down to the local car wash.
Here in Malaysia, a car wash isn’t an automated machine that you drive your car through while water and soap sprays onto the car. A car wash means a manual wash done by a group of men whose ambition is probably to own their very own car wash and to do so, they have to get your car clean and shiny in the now.
4 men, 1 car.
20 minutes of washing, getting wet, scrubbing, cleaning, wiping, drying, vacuuming, and polishing. 20 minutes later, I drive away in a shiny and so clean-you-can-eat-off-its-bonnet car.
How much did this cost? RM8.
That is just about RM2 per worker without taking capital cost and expenses into account. If you opt out of the vacuuming it usually costs RM6. As I watched them, I could not help thinking about how cheap the labor cost is here, and how much we take for granted.
RM8 to us car owners means the convenience of not having to get wet and sweaty and tired out washing our own cars (those who can – my condo doesn’t allow it).
RM8 to these 4 men could be the difference between having KFC or curry rice for the day.
Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?
{ 9 comments }
we do have that kind of service here also but its not RM8 lah, not even $8!
Girl, you got all that just by watching a car wash?
Sometimes I feel so guilty, them working so hard for so little money. I won’t mind paying more because these guys usually do a good job cleaning my car.
Wuching: Wow! How much then? $18?
GT: Yeah I had 20 minutes to think about it
Adino: Yes, I was guilted into writing this.
You very chim, PB. All I think about when I spot a carwash is normally “Ooh, I can clean my car!” followed by “Yes! No need to circle one more round to look for parking!” if I’m in a very busy area.
I actually miss my little car… sigh… I’ll wash yours for a good dose of roti canai! plus vacuum then you add a cup of teh tarik, deal?
My little car needs a good wash. *blush* Time to go look for the Indian guys!
Hey, even my Kancil is charged RM10 for a car wash here in Kuala Terengganu!
RM 8 is really cheap. It cost even more expensive here..
It’s really nice to drive a clean shiny car, isn’t it?
Comments on this entry are closed.