Kanaguni business

Kanaguni - someone who buys over 2nd hand or unwanted household items such as old newspaper/magazines, clothings, fan, television set, radio set, VCD/DVD player, computer monitor etc at the neighbourhood. In return, he or she will then sell it to a collector or an organization for a profit.

It is a old trade that has been in existence for many many years, properly an early version of a recycling programme. When I was young, the kanaguni will move from floor to floor, door to door shouting for business and service. If you have some of the unwanted houeshold items to sell, just open the door and wait for him or her. They will weigh (eg. for old newspaper/magazines/clothings) and pay you on the spot.

Nowadays, they will park their vehicle at the carpark and horn for business and service. They rarely move from floor to floor, door to door. Instead, they move from block to block. It is more economical and less traveling but can cause much noise at the neighbourhood espeically in a peaceful and relaxing afternoon watching a movie or taking a nap at home. :-( Of course, they will drop by your doorstep if u have something for them.

However, there also seem to be another group of kanaguni who will seek out valuable items directly from the shared dustbin area at the void deck. They will ride a bicycle to look for items that are deemed valuable from the dustbin from block to block, day and night. The group seems to come from mainly the senior citizen and foreign workers. While I am encouraged by their action to find a decent way to fend for themselves, many is not very considerate and responsible by making a mess out of it at the common area. They will seek out the valuable items and expect the cleaning personnel to clear up the mess for them next day. Meanhwile, residents have no choice but just have to bear with it.

The old trade has survived by transforming itself in its business operation approach. However, we are definitely still very far from establishing a gracious society whereby we care not only of one self but also others and in this aspact, not to inconvenience others and to show respect of the used of the common space we all share.

Is that so difficult to execrise ?