Corporate Conglomerates

I was out doing some Christmas shopping yesterday. Found some cool stuff. But along the way I had a conversation with my sweetie about why I would prefer to do business at store A even if it cost me a bit more for the same merchandise available at store B. One of the considerations I listed was the way employees were treated and another was whether or not products came from "third world sweatshops".

Now, I'm very confused about this, as I recently toured a place I would consider to be one of those "third world sweatshops"... a carpet factory in Egypt that people were PROUD to have available to give children from poverty striken families meaningful work. I thought of those young kids sitting at their looms day after day after day and it gave me the shudders, so much so that I could not bring myself to buy any of their very nice carpets. But if that carpet factory was not there, these kids would NOT necesarily be better off...they might just be hungry. So am I right or wrong to pass judgement on their child labor practices??

Dunno.

And there is the whole issue of local vs. large corporate.... is local inherently better?

We vote everytime we spend our dollars, saying what is important to us. I'm questioning some of my spending lately, wondering if I am happy with my vote.

Pet Peeves

I was out wandering the blog world and came across a site that dealt with a coffee maker's angst. Some guy calling himself "Larry the Barista" ( http://barista-angst.blogspot.com/ )
ranted and raved over customers who adulterate the fine beverages he concocts with so much milk/sugar that all subtlety and character of the java is lost. While to a certain extent I could relate to his annoyance, the extent of his harsh judgment seemed entirely disproportionate to the situation. My initial response was to scorn him as inappreciative of the customers who are keeping his shop in business. I was baffled that he should be so mean spirited toward his clientele. So what if they are not all connoisseurs? If they come in and buy the coffee and have a good experience in the shop, isn't that all that really matters?? Not willing to submit myself to his scathing condemnation, I vowed I would never patronize his Walla Walla establishment, even though I've heard great things about it from others who have been there.

But then, I began doing a little inventory over my own pet peeves. In truth, the things that make me cranky are no more credible.

I abhor seeing men wear socks with sandals. It is SOOOOO uncool.

Then there is that whole hair comb-over thing for guys in hair-loss denial. Do they really think they are fooling anybody??

I grind my teeth when I see someone frantically jocky for the very best parking spot at the YMCA, because afterall, you wouldn't expect them to have to walk too far to go exercise, right?

I am annoyed to distraction by women with long acrylic nails, and even more so when they have quirky designs or faux gems attached.

I am appalled by people who insist I keep my dog on a leash, but allow their stupid cats to wander free to crap in my azaleas.

So, yeah, I have plenty of the judgmental bone going on in my own world. I guess I should lighten up on pointing fingers when others spout off, eh? What's it to me if this coffee guy thinks my preferences are worthy of ridicule? He probably wouldn't approve of how I take my pizza either....big deal. I suppose it takes all kinds.