It was my first time visiting Siem Reap in Cambodia and I was so excited! Everywhere I looked I saw people walking around with designer bags, clothing, and shoes. I had never seen anything like it before – so many people with their designer jeans, trendy sunglasses and fashionable accessories. It was incredible! Little did I know, that most of these bags, shoes, and clothing were not real designer brands at all.
When I first heard about fake designer bags in Siem Reap, I had to laugh. How could these people with their knock-off designer items even compare to someone with the real thing? It seemed impossible. But after walking around the city and doing some asking around, I soon realized just how many people were wearing these counterfeit items.
To be honest, I could understand why some people chose to buy fake designer bags in Siem Reap. The city was full of amazing souvenir shops where you could buy anything from knock-off handbags to fake Nike shoes. Prices were incredibly cheap, and it seemed like an easy way to show off some designer style without breaking the bank. I could understand why some people chose to buy fake designer items over paying full price for an authentic item.
Still, I had a hard time shaking the feeling that buying these fake items was wrong. It felt like these people were trying to con the system, and I couldn’t help but feel bad for the designers who had their work copied and sold for a fraction of the cost. I also felt bad for the people who bought these fake items without realizing they weren’t real, thinking they were getting a great deal.
At the same time, I had to admit that I kind of envied the people I saw walking around with fake designer bags in Siem Reap. It must have been a nice feeling, being able to show off these knockoff designer items and get the attention of others around them. I almost wished I could buy some fake items for myself without feeling like a fraud.
However, as tempting as it might have been to buy some of these fake designer items, I ultimately decided not to. I felt like if I was going to wear something and get some satisfaction out of it, I wanted it to be real. Sure these items may have looked and felt the same, but I wanted the satisfaction of knowing I was wearing something that was actually real.
To me, fake designer bags in Siem Reap were a reminder of how people try to take advantage of the system and cheat their way to financial gain. I had to wonder how many of these knock-off items actually ended up being sold outside of the country, or even online. It was a bit depressing to think about, and it left me feeling frustrated about the whole situation.
At the same time, I also recognized that I wasn’t really affected by fake designer bags in Siem Reap. I was just in town for a vacation, and I wasn’t part of the community that was dealing with this issue. So in the end, I had to just accept it and move on.
So even though I may not completely agree with fake designer bags in Siem Reap, I can still appreciate how some people find a way to get what they want without breaking the bank. In some aspects, it is actually quite admirable. It’s just a bit too bad in most cases, the items are not actually real.