There have been a few threads lately about the future of Australian manufacturing and agriculture. Most of these threads have focused on the broader economic and political ramifications rather than the personal consumer aspect.
Forgetting pragmatism, on a purely personal and apolitical level do you prefer to buy products made, grown or owned by Australians?
I'm not out to argue economics and answers needn't be logical, well-thought out arguments. There is no ethically correct or incorrect answer. It's all about personal choice.
For me, lately I've been finding myself increasingly dissatisfied with cheap goods from Asia and I'm making some small attempt to wean myself off a bit. This is for two main reasons -
1. I'm sick of the cheap, disposable approach to production and I miss craftsmanship (this can apply to Australian or other Western made products to be fair). I'm prepared to pay significantly more for quality. I also like the history of products and am more likely to buy products from older companies who still take pride in their approach to production and don't offshore. For this reason, I'm more inclined to buy something made in the US or Europe over something made in Asia.
2. As illogical as it may be, I have genuine love for this country and feel a certain joy in buying quality products which were made here. I'd go so far as to say I feel just a little proud of this country when I buy a well-made product which was created by Australian hands. I've even let the made in Australia sticker persuade me to buy a product I was otherwise unsure of.
I'm also trying to buy more products from actual stores as opposed to the Internet. This is because I kind of miss old fashioned shopping and I'm also disheartened to see the local shopping strip looking like a ghost town. I'm also trying to wean myself off chains and franchises and support smaller independent stores more, especially if I like the people running the store. I want to start practising customer loyalty.
So far as fresh produce goes, I definitely prefer products grown and produced here but I find it fairly impossible to even know half the time and my knowledge of agricultural production is somewhere in the vicinity of zilch .
I'm only making very small inroads so far, but I'm already feeling better about it.
I'm probably just getting conservative and backwater with age. Next I'll be writing indignant letters to the editor on my 1950s typewriter, but if it makes me happy then what's the harm?
So my question is - does it matter to you where products are made, grown or owned and does the country of origin persuade you either way?
Forgetting pragmatism, on a purely personal and apolitical level do you prefer to buy products made, grown or owned by Australians?
I'm not out to argue economics and answers needn't be logical, well-thought out arguments. There is no ethically correct or incorrect answer. It's all about personal choice.
For me, lately I've been finding myself increasingly dissatisfied with cheap goods from Asia and I'm making some small attempt to wean myself off a bit. This is for two main reasons -
1. I'm sick of the cheap, disposable approach to production and I miss craftsmanship (this can apply to Australian or other Western made products to be fair). I'm prepared to pay significantly more for quality. I also like the history of products and am more likely to buy products from older companies who still take pride in their approach to production and don't offshore. For this reason, I'm more inclined to buy something made in the US or Europe over something made in Asia.
2. As illogical as it may be, I have genuine love for this country and feel a certain joy in buying quality products which were made here. I'd go so far as to say I feel just a little proud of this country when I buy a well-made product which was created by Australian hands. I've even let the made in Australia sticker persuade me to buy a product I was otherwise unsure of.
I'm also trying to buy more products from actual stores as opposed to the Internet. This is because I kind of miss old fashioned shopping and I'm also disheartened to see the local shopping strip looking like a ghost town. I'm also trying to wean myself off chains and franchises and support smaller independent stores more, especially if I like the people running the store. I want to start practising customer loyalty.
So far as fresh produce goes, I definitely prefer products grown and produced here but I find it fairly impossible to even know half the time and my knowledge of agricultural production is somewhere in the vicinity of zilch .
I'm only making very small inroads so far, but I'm already feeling better about it.
I'm probably just getting conservative and backwater with age. Next I'll be writing indignant letters to the editor on my 1950s typewriter, but if it makes me happy then what's the harm?
So my question is - does it matter to you where products are made, grown or owned and does the country of origin persuade you either way?