Sweat shops... till you drop

So the first day we started exploring Bangkok, we were taken to a custom tailor shop by our taxi driver. This was not by our request, so I was more than a bit skeptical and a bit on edge at first.  But, I had heard that this was a popular thing to do here and since I wear suits so often ( maybe once a year) why not have a few custom tailored suits made. To my enjoyment, it turned out to be ridiculously inexpensive. They took a few measurements and told me they would pick me up the following day for a second fitting. As promised, a driver picked me up at 5pm to take me to the tailor.  Laina stayed at the room to take a nap.  The ten minute ride was in silence since the driver spoke not a word of English.  Still not sure if this was some elaborate scam, I started getting a little nervous the further we  drove into the textile district.  I felt a little better at the fact that most people here weigh close to 100 lbs dripping wet and for the most part are malnutritioned pacifists.  If this was a set up, I thought I should be able to at least break a few arms. But alas, no need for self defense. I was greeted with coffee and treated like a king.  The owner was an interesting sort of fella. Originally from Napal, he decided to leave the Sherpa life to become a tailor in Bangkok? Hmmmmm. Anyway, it's no surprise that custom clothes are such a big deal here since Thai sweat shops assemble many name brand clothes. I do feel a little guilty supporting sweat shop labor, since its so unfair, especially to those shops that do not employ children and severely pregnant women. I mean of course those tiny child fingers are more efficient than adult labor. That's a no brainer.

Tailor: "Would you like a standard cuff or French cuff? What type of lapel do you prefer?"

Confused Patrick: "Yes"

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