Consequences – Intermediate
Most people now have a global context to their lives. They may have family origins in another country or they may live or study alongside people from all over the world.
Every decision that we make as consumers has an impact on global society. We need to learn about these impacts and what role our actions can have on society.
By looking at global citizenship, we become aware of the wider world and can understand our role in that world. It enables us to respect and value diversity and encourages us to act to make the world a more equitable and sustainable place.
There are a range of factors that will affect the way in which most of us will shop such as:
There are, however, other factors that we should also start thinking about when making our decisions, as these have an effect on our world at large.
Examples:-
There are many practices that we may consider to be ethically wrong but actually know very little about.
Alternative ways to shop
It is important to realise that shoppers are not limited to just going into shops to make their purchases. There are a variety of different ways in which we can buy what we need:
* Street Markets - Shopping in markets can be a lot of fun and it's possible to pick up some bargains provided you're prepared to do some hunting. Lack of changing rooms can also be a problem if you're buying clothes, so it's best to check with the stall holder that you can claim a refund if what you buy doesn't fit you.
The regular stall holders know their customers and want to make sure that they keep their goodwill. If you've any complaint you can usually return to sort it out quite easily. But if you buy from a casual trader with a suitcase in the street there's no guarantee that you'll find him again if something goes wrong.
* One Day Sales - These can be another problem. Traders from outside the area may hire a hall or a room in a hotel and send out brochures advertising a special sale. Often the bargains on offer look too good to be true - and that's what many of them may turn out to be.
* Doorstep Selling - these traders call on you in your own home - often without any warning. Many people have been conned by fast-talking salesmen or saleswomen claiming to be "researchers" or "consultants" and have been pressurised into signing agreements to buy expensive goods they didn't really want, need or could afford.
It's surprisingly difficult to say 'No' when you have been caught off guard by an unexpected caller. If you are interested in buying whatever is on offer, take your time about it. Shop around to see whether you may be able to get a better deal somewhere else.
* Auctions - Auctions are special sales where people are invited to bid for the goods on display. The auctioneer will sell to the person who offers most and when he brings his hammer down it means that the goods have been sold to the last bidder.
Normally traders can't get out of their responsibility when selling goods, however, auctions are different. Auctioneers can legally refuse to be responsible for faulty goods.
* Telephone Selling - This is becoming a popular way of contacting potential customers and several companies now employ young people to ring around touting for business. If you receive a call, and you don't want to become involved, then simply say so and put the phone down.
* Party Plan Selling - Several businesses employ agents who persuade people to host a selling party in their own home. The host or hostess usually provides tea or coffee for his/her guests while the agent demonstrates the goods. Although no-one actually says it in so many words, the guests are then expected to buy something.
In fact, it's a brave person who refuses because everyone there realises that their host or hostess stands to receive a much better "gift" from the agent at the end of the party if they all spend something. It is simple but effective persuasion.
These are some examples but the area that has become very popular recently due to advances in technology is shopping by mail order.
Mail Order
This can be a convenient way of shopping, particularly for people who find getting out to the shops difficult. There are different ways of buying by mail order:
* Catalogues - Lots of people have catalogues that they use to buy goods. These catalogues allow you to see a picture of the item you are going to buy and they also give you a description.
Unfortunately, sometimes the pictures don't always give an accurate impression but if you aren't satisfied with the goods when they arrive, you can usually send them back and cancel the deal.
Most catalogues normally allow you to pay for them in instalments over several weeks or months. The length of time may vary depending on the price and sometimes this leads to the goods being a little more expensive than those in the shops
* On the internet/through your television - It's now possible to order from your armchair via the internet. You can order goods through a computer, a mobile phone and even your television. Although it's easy to operate and saves going around crowded shops it could be all too easy to overspend.
There have however been lots of problems with internet shopping where the consumer pays for goods and they never receive them.
* Postal Bargain Advertisements - Many newspapers and magazines carry advertisements for mail order goods. These can usually be ordered as a one-off special and mean that you are not under any obligation to buy more from the Company.
Sometimes, newspapers and magazines, have special schemes to protect readers who have sent off money in advance and then find that the company has gone bust
Ethical Consumerism
Whichever way you choose to shop, there are lots of organisations that can provide information on consumer issues that enable individuals to act ethically in the market place when making their decision about purchasing.
Fair Trading
Fair Trading is concerned with the fact that there are many people throughout the world who live in poverty or work in unacceptable conditions.
Various organisations in the UK now support different ethical trading initiatives, which are designed to provide producers in developing countries with a fair share of the returns from the sale of their products. The problems experienced by poor producers and workers in developing countries differ from product to product.
Eg - Small independent farmers may grow coffee and cocoa on their own land, therefore the most important aspect of fair trading for them is receiving a fair price for their produce. In contrast to this, tea is usually grown on estates and the main concern about fair trade in this circumstance is that the workers on the estate are paid a fair wage and have decent working conditions.
Tourism
Tourism affects the lives of millions of people. It is the largest industry across the whole world and is growing rapidly in developing countries.
Nowadays, people can choose from package tour holidays in Europe, eg Spain, and long-haul package holidays, which are now available to countries in Africa and Asia.
One of our main problems that is currently being highlighted is how people lose their homes and livelihoods through the development of tourism, and often for the creation of conservation areas. Imagine losing your home without compensation for a new hotel development.
Responsible travel is about more enjoyable and authentic holidays that maximise the benefits to local communities, minimise any negative social or environmental impacts of tourism, and help local people to conserve fragile cultures and habitats/species.
Responsible travel provides equitable exchanges of culture, respect and wisdom with local people. It is about a warmer welcome from local people who are benefiting from tourism; about providing visitors with better insights into local environments and cultures through the knowledge of local guides; and about knowing that income from your visit will help local communities to conserve the special places, cultures and wildlife that you have enjoyed as a visitor.
Being a responsible traveller need not be difficult, it is really simply a matter of thinking of yourself as being a guest. Travelling responsibly can be as simple as respecting local traditions and religions, learning a few words of the local language, and asking permission before you photograph local people.