Not as it seems

 I was visiting Clove island, walking through town, examining what had changed in the last 6 months. A few buildings painted, a couple of new walls. But what was really striking? The number of new shops that had opened! 

A new shop for car oil.

A new mini market.

Another food shop.

It seemed like the business district was booming, and when I arrived at the office I commented on it to my colleagues. But their response surprised me:

"It's because of the economic crisis." 

Wait, what? Evidently, when people are worried about where their food will come from, they look for a loan or a gift to get them started in business, with the thought being that, at least until inventory runs out, they'll have a source of income or food. Especially with food shops, you can eat your inventory until it runs out. Even if you don't have money to restock, it's a temporary fix. I was intrigued by their explanation, but still a little doubtful if theirs was the only interpretation. So it became a bit of a game for me when visiting with people.

"I see there are a lot of new shops right now! It's because..." and I'd trail off a bit, letting them fill in the conversational space.

"... the economic crisis!" was their immediate and universal response. 

Well. Not everything is as it seems, I suppose.