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October 12, 2004
Cheap clothes make the poor poorer
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Lisa-Jean Mugler Opinions Editor |
In this issue there is an article on cheap clothing; the SOS question was “What is your philosophy regarding buying clothing?” Not surprisingly, the majority answered that the cost is what matters most.
Last week, I read a book about the “myth” of a family surviving on two-incomes.
The authors claim Americans spend LESS on most everything than they did in the ’70s, especially clothing. They made the point that even with more money, we have less to show for it.
So why is it tremendously surprising that many of the top 400 wealthiest people in the world are American?
I don’t know about you, but each year there is less money to buy clothes with.
So, we buy Wal-mart clothes that don’t fit very well, go to less expensive restaurants and use coupons in order to be able to go out once in a while.
Then I fantasize about the “good old days” when a person shopped at places where they were known. Shopkeepers actually knew names, tailors made clothes to fit, and bartenders were the same from one year to the next. Maybe we did spend a little more then, but at least there was not only a product, but a relationship between people.
The last time you went to a Target, did they greet you by name? When buying shoes, are they actually shaped for your foot? Has a barista ever actually helped you with your homework?
There are local businesses, with independent owners who are not part of a “one-size-fits-all” chain.
They want your business, and they’ll actually work for it.
These independent businesses don’t just assume that because they forced all their competitors out of business, that now you will have to shop at their store...on their terms.
Some are on campus: Grounds for Thought (awesome Iced Teas), and Jazzland (smoothies!).
Some are right across the street: Cheba Hut (where the subs are yummy), Into the Bean (yes, Luis is a bona fide CPA, and has been known to tutor students with their homework).
Continuing to buy at the big stores, like Starbucks, only helps the rich to get richer in our “corporate-centric” country.
For a few cents extra, it’s really very nice to be treated like a person instead of a profit!
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