Cambodian and its people, especially locals who lives in country side were thought to be poor (Or in poverty) as if perfect example of poverty. Well, it is not wrong. They rarely have a big amount of cash or something. However, the things such as hunger or starvation that most people often think of with poverty are not happening in Cambodia. And most are thinking that the cause of such poverty is a lack of work opportunities. So, it means that if there are chances or places to work, they will be rich.

However, what I have noticed recently as I am going and interact deeper with local villagers is that there actually are jobs and there are plenty of opportunities for them to make some extra cash. It is different as, for example Japan, where people are really busy as much as they die. Well, literally. So, I thought that why don’t they work a bit more since they have plenty of time left. But I kind of understanding why they do not do it so.

The reason is that “There is nothing to spend a money for”. It seem difficult to understand at a glance.

You may think “Well, there are plenty of way to spend you money!”. I was thinking the same of course. But money will be effective when there is more than some amount of it and if they make only $100 of extra money, their life won’t change dramatically. In fact, if they work bit longer than now, they will make only $100 – $200 a month.

Of course there are things they want to have. Something like, new motorcycle, car, flat screen TV, house with air-con, fridge or gold watch… but they are all cost more than $100 or $200. Unlike developed countries, there isn’t system of credit or credit card, in that case, it is impossible for them to purchase those things. Well, they have theey can no use air-con or fridge since there are not electric grid yet.

If it is in your country, there must be some way to spend money if you have an extra $100. Like big fancy dinner, nice closes, have a movie night or take a small trip to somewhere. There are varieties of choices. But in Cambodia, choice of using $100 would be “Drinking beer” or “play cards with neighbours with drinking beer”. …yup. They are smart enough to not work if there is only a way to waste their money. If they want to drink they can work bit of extra for a day and it will be enough.

However, there is a thing that changes their concept of using their money. Smartphones. IPhone is their lofty dream and only few guys in village have it. But even for ordinary people, they now can buy used smartphones with around $100. They don’t even know how to use it but since Cambodian tend to think that it is a shame to not have something others are having, more and more people are having smartphones and you can see them selling middle of now where on dirt road where there is no electricity.

By looking at such change in local people in suburbs of Cambodia, I am thinking that smartphone user will keep increasing in all over the world.