19. Convincing others to shop more sustainably
Today’s letter is about convincing others to shop responsibly. Here’s the letter:
I can't seem to convince my family to shop responsibly. Any ideas?
This is a tough one. You can’t really control what anyone else does, so let’s focus on what you can control, which is what YOU are doing. So here are some ideas.
- Model the behavior yourself. So, when it is time for you to buy them gifts, give them the type of gifts that you’d like to receive. Shop locally, or buy from fair trade companies. Or give gift certificates from business owners that you believe in. This will not only give a little cash injection to that business but now you are introducing another potential consumer, your family member.
- If your family does wish lists where you get to dictate what gifts you want, ask for items that fit your values- if your thing is reducing the harmful environmental impact of fast fashion, ask for a vintage jacket or ask for your loved one to take your favorite shoes to a cobbler so you can wear them again. If you’re interested in supporting the local restaurants in your neighborhood, say so, maybe even ask for a dinner date with your loved one in a restaurant in your neighborhood.
Those are probably your best bets. I would caution you against lecturing your family about why it is important to you, I just don’t know that most people who are already resistant to an idea or way of living are often swayed by a lecture. Definitely don’t try to shame them into it. That almost never works. I would stick with giving them socially responsible gifts and if it is appropriate, asking for socially responsible gifts.
I also want to encourage you to give your family some grace. Obviously, our individual action is important and can change the world. But I think we have to acknowledge that the harms that are plaguing our society are largely institutional and I just don’t want you to take so much responsibility that you are blaming your family members for climate change, for example. And actually, maybe that’s the message that will resonate with your family members. That we, as individuals didn’t cause these problems and we don’t have the power to completely reverse these harms, but we can do the part that’s within our control, and that includes putting pressure on the institutions and government, and thinking about the impact our money has on our world.
To submit your letter to the show, email spenddonateinvest@gmail.com
To support the show visit buymeacoffee.com/spenddonate
Support the showToday’s letter is about convincing others to shop responsibly. Here’s the letter:
I can't seem to convince my family to shop responsibly. Any ideas?
This is a tough one. You can’t really control what anyone else does, so let’s focus on what you can control which is what YOU are doing. So here are some ideas.
- Model the behavior yourself. So, when it is time for you to buy them gifts, give them the type of gifts that you’d like to receive. Shop locally, or buy from fair trade companies. Or give gift certificates from business owners that you believe in. This will not only give a little cash injection to that business but now you are introducing another potential consumer, your family member.
- If your family does wish lists where you get to dictate what gifts you want, ask for items that fit your values- if your thing is reducing the terrible environmental impact of fast fashion, ask for a vintage jacket or ask for your loved one to take your favorite shoes to a cobbler so you can wear them again. If you’re interested in supporting the local restaurants in your neighborhood, say so, maybe even ask for a dinner date with your loved one in a restaurant in your neighborhood.
Those are probably your best bets. I would caution you against lecturing your family about why it is important to you, I just don’t know that most people who are already resistant to an idea or way of living are often swayed by a lecture. Definitely don’t try to shame them into it. That almost never works. I would stick with giving them socially responsible gifts and if it is appropriate, asking for socially responsible gifts.
I also want to encourage you to give your family some grace. Obviously, our individual action is important and can change the world. But I think we have to acknowledge that the harms that are plaguing our society are largely institutional and I just don’t want you to take so much responsibility that you are blaming your family members for climate change, for example. And actually, maybe that’s the message that will resonate with your family members. That we, as individuals didn’t cause these problems and we don’t have the power to completely reverse these harms, but we can do the part that’s within our control, and that includes putting pressure on the institutions and government, and thinking about the impact our money has on our world.
To submit your letter to the show, email spenddonateinvest@gmail.com
To support the show visit buymeacoffee.com/spenddonate
