If you want to see a good example of the concept of 24/7, go to China. The 24-hour economy is really taken literally over here. Almost everything is open seven days a week. Everybody works seven days per week as well and out of the 24 hours in a day, as few as possible are wasted sleeping. Apart from the traditional afternoon nap of course.
China is a developing country and the most developed area is in the north, on the east coast, from where it moves southwards. The further south you go, the less developed. More developed areas are generally characterised by shorter work days. We’re based in the south-west, an area that’s still developing and where people still need to work hard and make long days. Although some sectors and offices have now dropped the seven day workweek.
But all banks and other public offices are open every day of the week, with rotating staff obviously. It’s the small entrepreneurs, such as shop keepers and restaurant owners, who have to work seven days per week and who run their businesses with the help of the entire family. They often sleep in the back of the shop or restaurant. Quite practical – the business doesn’t close until the owner goes to bed.
The advantage is of course that you can get anything you need at any time of the day, until late at night and even on a Sunday. One of the nearby villages has a small store where you can get a can of soda, or something stronger, at all hours. It’s even open at 4 a.m., which made me wonder whether the owner suffers from insomnia.
Every now and again you might find yourself disappointed though. Take for example this sign, at the bakery around the corner from me: “Open 24 hours from 8.00 – 20.00” … I’m afraid the bakery has closed down in the meantime. But whether that had anything to do with their opening hours, I have no idea.
Is it really necessary for the shops to be open seven days per week? That’s a valid question of course. It’s possible to do your shopping for the entire week on Friday or Saturday, but it’s handy if you don’t have to.
As a country develops further, we can see certain things making a comeback. Like in the Netherlands, where more and more shops are now open seven days per week. One thing is for sure: China will never go through a phase of shops and offices being open only from 2 p.m. on Mondays until 9 p.m. on Fridays.
Cok Harteveld,
General manager VandenbergRoseS, China
