bought and paid for.

I usually try to avoid discussing the topic of which this particular blog is based. Only because of the simple fact that it makes for an easy intro into a heated political debate. Politics is something I am neither knowledgable about nor overly interested in. However, as a consumer, as a human geographer, and as an employee in the retail industry, I have something to say.

Currently I am a worker bee for a company that sells merchanise targeted towards 12-18 year olds: accessories, cosmetics, hosery, and more recently, clothing and shoes. From what I've seen over the course of the 7 months I've worked there, I have noticed that a large portion, possibly even 100%, of the goods are made in China. This should come as no surprise and is not the problem I'm having. As a direct result of the merchandise being produced there, my company is able to offer it to the public at a very reasonable price. By reasonable, I mean you can buy 3 shirts for $10. Um, bargain? Yes. But with that being said, how high do you suspect the quality of these shirts are? Personally, I would label the clothing quality as "satisfactory" and I'm only saying that because I cant think of a word that doesn't insinuate that the quality is "poor", which it is not, but it is definitely not "good". But regardless, this, again, is not my problem.

My problem is that customers purchase this merchandise, knowing full well that they could have easily gone elsewhere, and then come back 3 weeks after wearing it, and proceed to bitch like a little girl about how disgusted they are that there's now a hole in the shirt or that the seam is coming apart.

Now, I'm not a clothing designer or a seamstress, but I am a consumer. I buy things, I wear things, and I use things. In my 22 years of life, if theres one lesson I've learned, its that on the whole you really do get what you pay for. If I'm going to buy something that I expect should have a lifespan of greater than 3 wears, I know that I need to actually invest some money and pay a little extra. Do I wear the clothes that I sell? Yes. But I would never assume that it would last me longer than one season, that's if I'm lucky and dont treat the garment like shit.

So let's think about this, shall we? The Chinese people mass produce clothing for pennies a day in a sweatshop environment where the official standards are likely very low and a high number of items produced is the only indication of a job well done. If finer quality is what you seek, there are other options available. Why don't you support a local business or designer and purchase clothing that was made right here in Canada?

"But Jenn, the Chinese people rely on folks such as myself to make a living, even if it is in a factory".....well, if monetary support is what you're offering, why don't you think about the specific cause you're trying to help/concerned about (joblessness, homelessness, grotesque working environments, unfair wages, etc), look up a charity that relates to said cause, and then make a donation? It's easy.

In no way am I saying that I actively endorse or encourage the modern day slave-ification of the Chinese people, but if you're dead set on getting 3 shirts for $10, please don't make a scene when the dryer destroys them.