Starman Mystery in Europe: Honesty and Sleepless Nights in Convenience Stores

A fascinating video titled "Somewhere in a civilized country..." has captivated the internet, sparking a lively debate about honesty, exhaustion, and the mysterious location of a convenience store. The video features the iconic lyrics, "There's a Starman waiting in the sky. He'd like to come and meet us, but he thinks he'd blow our minds. There's a Starman waiting in the sky."

Comments on the video reveal a range of reactions. Some viewers, like one who noted, "Even if it's staged. There are a lot of people who actually are this honest," applaud the honesty depicted in the video. Others, however, are skeptical, with remarks such as "Sayers staged it's hate" and "Haters staged it’s say."

The video has also sparked curiosity about the store's location. One commenter observed, "Still curious where it is :D I could only identify Kontik candies (I think that's an Ukrainian company?) and Halls which are cough drops, apparently a British brand. I can only read 'fresh' on the dude's orange bottle so that's useless. And I can't figure out anything else. 'somewhere around Europe' doesn't narrow it down enough." Another speculated, "Yes, I know it's produced. But I'm still interested in guessing the country based on the products, and I'm going to say Germany."

The video also prompted reflections on societal changes. One user reminisced, "Used to be pretty normal to leave the money on the counter if no one was there. Not the poor person sleeping bit though. I do feel like we lost something important now that not common." Another added, "In Norway, there are literally stores where you pay by sending money to a phone number listed on a sign, then just help yourself. Interestingly, these unmanned cabinets and stands are very rarely stolen from."

Kevin Smith's 1994 film "Clerks" was mentioned, drawing parallels to the video: "Kevin Smith did this in 'Clerks' in 1994. 😎" Additionally, the practicality of allowing cashiers to sit was humorously noted with, "Couldn't be US. The cashier is allowed to sit."

The authenticity of the scene has been questioned, with comments like "This is so fake...not sleeping, she ded..." and "Its Staged, there is no camera in a convenience store that is that clear. The entire store was fabricated and built around that camera for this one shot. /s"

Despite the debate over its authenticity, the video touches on broader issues of work, honesty, and societal norms. One user poignantly commented, "People should never be that tired. We need to thrive, not just scrape by existing," while another shared a personal story, "I've done that here in America. The guy worked 2 jobs and I caught him at 4am. 12 years later and he's still working both jobs but his kids are in college. That's the American dream right there... Pun only intended with hindsight."

In the end, whether staged or real, the video serves as a thought-provoking piece that encourages viewers to reflect on trust, the value of hard work, and the changing dynamics of our society.