What are some of the products you have bought recently - clothing, tech. devices, etc.? Are there any products you strongly recommend others to buy or not buy? You can also post your ideas about consumerism in general; for example: favorite places to shop in Bangkok, getting caught up in materialism, advertising techniques, and ideas for 'ethical consumerism.' Remember to use your name that we know so that we can refer to each other's ideas.
10 comments:
To me, consumerism is a big deal. When I think back to the countless times I've heard things such as 'Over-consumption is bad' or 'Materialism is destroying our planet' I always wonder how that thought would immediately slip off my mind whenever I see another new chic t-shirt. I know that I have been educated many times about how deforestation is caused partly by big clothing companies buying the land and cutting down trees to make cotton farms but it just never seems to change my consumer habits. I think the only way this will appeal to me the most is for me to actually experience it. Honestly, I think the only time when EVERYBODY would come to realize that Global Warming can be hazardous is when things really go bad. So, as much as I am trying to stop myself, I really can't. And it's not because the shirt is just too cute, it's not because its on 50% sale, it's because the dangers of over-consuming is not relevant to me---yet.
Mathias
This weekend I was in vietnam and i bought some nice shoes. My parents were really concerned about the price but I was more focused on the design and quality. I think my parents are really weird because the pirce was already low so I didnt see why they needed to be so concerned about it.
I just saw this little video clip at http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/. It shows how our perception of beauty is so distorted because of the way advertising and other forms of media portray ideas of beauty. Watch the video!
Before I learned about consumerism, i always wondered why companies pay millions of baht to show the company label on sport games or sport uniform. After I learned about consumerism, my perspective changed. When I see some company logos, such as Samsung mobile on Chelsea or AIG on Manchester United, I get more used to the brands and get interested. I learned the meaning of advertising.
Before I buy anything. I always think to myself that "Is this product is going to help me?" , "How long will I get bored with this product?" And "Is it worth it to buy?"
Since i like saving my money I go to stores thinking about how much it costs, and if i really need it. If I see (example) a shirt I like, I will try it on, but if it does not fit perfectly or there is omething i do not like about it, i do not buy it, because i no i will probley never wear it. I am not the kind of person to buy something 'just to have it' and i think it is very bad that some people buy just for that reason.
When I see the famous brand shoes, it tempts me to buy it because of product's value and design.
Products are depends on quality. The reason why I desire to buy brand new shoes is that it makes me cool with worthy designs.
And the price, also tempt me to buy it. Let's assume that there is cheap price shoes with famous brand. Are you not desire to buy it? Or are you going to lose this chance ? This is what makes our decision of consumer value.
During the vacation, I bought a new and nice Nike shoes. Of course price will be much expensive. However, I feel like being some cool with that products. I also realize how consumerism effect to people's personality.
Before I lerned consurmerism, I didn't think about why I bought the product, but now I'm trying think about it. For example, I bought some magazine and when I was looking at the book, I looked at the introduction first and I thought it sounds good, so I bought them and they were so cheap.
As a result, I had two reasons for buy them. They looked good and they were cheap.
At my recent stay in Beijing, I've learnt how har dit is to shop there. The people might start at 200-400 the original price. The sellers come up with strange reasons on why the object was good. For example, Greg was buying socks and the lady charged him 400 yuan! Greg said "No, 40" she said "But, the socks are good quality" Greg said "I can see these socks are not worth that much, I can get the same ones for 20 yuan in Thailand" Then she said "They are from a special factory" Greg said "I don't care what factory they're from" Then Greg walked away until the lady called him back and agreed to his price. I learned how hard it is to bargain in China.
I think that before you decide to buy something you should consider some of these questions:
-Will this be useful to me?
-Do I really need it?
-Do I already have this?
-What will I do with this?
-Is this product environmentally friendly?
-Is this product a product of Fair Trade?
-Where was this product produced? Do they test on animals? Do they use child labor?
-Is the price worth the product?
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