consumerism sucks

[Bertha Venation]

I went to a brand-new Safeway store to do my shopping on Saturday. I think this was its second or third day open.

People were handing out food samples in nearly every section that offered edibles. Frozen foods. Deli. Bakery. Produce. Sushi bar. As a result, everyone in the already packed-to-the-gills store was crawling around at a snail's pace. I swear I could've gotten a free meal if I'd taken just one sample of everything.

Two guys were walking around -- one with a tray of tiny Starbucks cups; the other with what looked like an oxygen tank on his back, and a hose from the tank through which he dispensed samples of coffee.

Outside they were grilling beef and offering bits of it on toothpicks w/ little "Rancher's Reserve" flags on them. Those, toothpicks with that disgusting little foof of colored celluloid, small sheets of plastic (like for picking up a donut), and little plastic cups littered the parking lot and the floor inside the store. Two poor guys did nothing the whole time I was there but push dust brooms.

I was almost done w/ my shopping and wanted ice cream -- the last thing I put in the cart before checking out. I stood in the ice cream aisle for about five minutes while three women with full carts waxed orgasmically about the current availability of Girl Scout Cookie ice cream. :eyes:

Whether or not I'll shop there in the future doesn't matter; I realize this is what happens when a new supermarket opens. But jesus god, the joyous and utterly thoughtless consumerism in this country chokes me with grief and shame.

Thanks for listening.

[chenGOD]

1. Yes, yes it does.

But dear sweet jesus do I ever want to buy a new top of the line Power Mac with 2 30" LCD displays.

[Flaxbee]

2. yup. I am almost ready to turn into a hermit

I've gotten to the point that I won't buy anything new unless the old one is worn out beyond repair or doesn't fit anymore or whatever. And the thing is, so much of what is offered is CRAP! CHEAP PLASTIC CRAP that won't even make it thru its warranty period, or will go for one day beyond it and then fail so you have to add clutter to the landfull and buy another.

I despise this sort of capitalism, where anything goes just to improve the bottom line. Very bad for the economy, environment, and spirit. I read an article recently that hypothesized that humans aren't enchanted by nature as so many people write about today, instead, humans are enchanted by material things that blind us to life as it should be lived. It's a wicked spell, I tell you!

All I want is a nice little cottage, fully paid for (not some nightmare endless mortgage; I'd be willing to do the work myself, even if it took years, just to escape the clutches of a bank) and a good Japanese car that will run for decades, and a new pair of shoes a few times a year (oh, and all the books I can get my hands on). That should keep me, hubby and various and sundry kitties happy.

We should start a "No More Stuff" movement!

[Bertha Venation]

4. "We should start a "No More Stuff" movement!" Think George Carlin will

chair our foundation? Ever heard his rant about stuff? It includes a thing about building housing for the homeless on golf courses. LOVE it!

We humans don't require much. Shelter, food, clothing as tangibles; community as a basic intangible. We don't NEED all the things we have. I'm not pure; I want things. This just adds to my shame.

But then, shame is in my genes anyway. :shrug:

[Flaxbee]

7. George Carlin on the board!

That would be cool. I should check out his "stuff" rant, he is hilarious. Is it in any of his books?

Hey, I want stuff, too - no need to feel shame (but I'll join you on the guilt bandwagon, I can't get past it either). It is just the excess of stuff, the throw-away culture that is encouraged here and that I fear the US is exporting that lifestyle (about the only thing the US is exporting!).

[fairfaxvadem]

3. You should see the insanity over the new Wegman's here.

Just opened about a month ago in Fairfax. I drove past the entrance two Saturdays in a row, and they had police out there DIRECTING TRAFFIC due to the crowds of people just dying to shop a Wegmans.

Unbelievable.

I don't get it.

Shopping for groceries ain't all that.

[Bertha Venation]

6. I've seen 'em direct traffic in No. VA for church getting out, but

for a store opening? My god. :eyes:

[radwriter0555]

5. WE really just don't need all that over-processed, chemically laden,

artificial food.

No wonder few Americans know how to cook anymore. They feed from plastic bags and boxes of crap. Explains the cancer rate too.