July 4, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Why do you think malls exist? To sprint over to if there's a long power-cut at home. To take that selfie outside the Chanel showroom. To make sure the first date is in a 'safe' place. To grab a lazy gift for a party you have to attend in two hours. Or to just ogle – at shops, food, people, chandeliers, clean floors or whatever else gets you going.
July 4, 2015
ISLAMABAD: Why do you think malls exist? To sprint over to if there's a long power-cut at home. To take that selfie outside the Chanel showroom. To make sure the first date is in a 'safe' place. To grab a lazy gift for a party you have to attend in two hours. Or to just ogle – at shops, food, people, chandeliers, clean floors or whatever else gets you going.
We have never quite tried to understand what mall owners feel about their shiny entrapment doubling up as evening walk promenades and Facebook display picture manufacturers. So an Islamabad mall decided to give its patrons a taste of what it thinks about them. And came up with a list of people who they prefer in their mall – a list that reads somewhat like an ambitious mother's matrimonial advertisement.
Wall Street Journal reports on the Centaurus Mall in Islamabad: "The mall excused 23 types of people from the coupon requirement, including all women and children under 12, senior citizens, lawmakers and executives, diplomats and foreigners, journalists and lawyers, members of country clubs, doctors and teachers. It also said "famous" athletes and celebrities do not have to purchase a coupon."
So that they are not named the successor of Mary Antoinette, the mall owners also decided to let 'other' people enter, at a cost of 100 Pakistani rupees per head.
Kashif S Butt, the marketing manager for the mall explained to WSJ, "The fact is that because of summer vacations, there are a lot of young people who loiter for hours. This is a business decision to reduce the crowd and improve the experience for our customers," he added. The mall's entry coupon policy comes into effect Friday, and will be applied from 8 p.m. to closing time."
So that's it guys, there's no such thing like a free selfie.
However, Pakistan didn't take to this discrimination too well and took to Twitter to take Centaurus to task.
I'm going to be saving 100 rupees since famous people are exempt from paying newly imposed entry fee at #Centaurus mall in #Islamabad . Hehe
– Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) July 3, 2015
Centaurus is now charging for entry. Firstly you're an Architecture disgrace to a very beautiful city and now developing a class difference.
– Shahnaséeb (@Shahnaseebb) July 3, 2015
Basically #Centaurus wants to put a bold label "Only for Elites" But they can't & tried a sophisticated way to keep unprivileged class away.
– Gumshuda Life..! (@Rabeel_Tariq) July 3, 2015
Centaurus introduced Rs. 100 entry into mall. Just saw their notice for it. Isb needs more malls, not more elitism.
– Nadia (@shadesofnadia) July 3, 2015
Although Centaurus ticket decision is a business decision, bt its a Shame & Discrimination At least i'm nt going their nw, i'll prefer Metro
– ???? (@UmarMir17) July 2, 2015
A simple "Pindi Boys not allowed" was much better… #Centauruspic.twitter.com/OGpYjrfVKU
– Salman Khan (@de_ingeniero) July 2, 2015
Centaurus doing to pindis what israel has been doing to palestinians for decards.
– Asad (@misbahstard) July 2, 2015
Courtesy: Firstpost
