A New Christmas Tradition by Magonsdaughter

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

A New Christmas Tradition

POSTED BY: MAGONSDAUGHTER
UPDATED: Monday, November 28, 2011 16:45
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011 5:14 PM

This email has been circuating around. Thought it would make some food for thought. Just substitute "American" for "Australian" because I suspect, given some of the spelling and terms, it actually originated that way anyway. A good message.

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the Christmas season approach, the giant Asian factories are
kicking into high gear to provide Australians with monstrous piles of
cheaply produced goods --merchandise that has been produced at the
expense of Australian labor.

This year will be different. This year Australians will give the gift
of genuine concern for other Australians. There is no longer the
excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is
produced by Australian hands. Yes there is! Lots of it.

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to
fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift
certificates from your local hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about
some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small owned detail
shops & car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book
of gift certificates. For the Gardeners on your list - how about some
lovely healthy pot plants or plants for the garden or even a gift
certificate from the local lawn-mowing man.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking
down the Panasonic of a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that
grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed
for the summer, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift
certificates. If your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about
a half dozen breakfasts at the local cafe. Remember, folks this isn't
about big Inter/National chains -- this is about supporting your home
town with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the Australian working guy?

What about a gift certificate from a local home handyman for some
chores to be done around the home?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mum? Mum would LOVE the services
of a local cleaning lady for a day.

Someone's computer could use a tune-up, & I KNOW I can find some young
guy who is struggling to get his repair business up & running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people
spin their own wool & knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, &
pottery & beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and
leave your server a nice tip. How about going out to see a play or
ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another 10,000 Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a $5.00 string of light, about 50
cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of to bucks
burn, leave the postman, garbo or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining Australian pockets so
that China or some other country can build another glittering city.
Christmas is now about caring about Australia, encouraging our small
businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. When we care
about other Australians, we care about our communities, & the benefits
come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new Australian Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- This is a revolution
of caring about each other, even those we don't know in person, but
live near us or have a business in our area & isn't that what
Christmas is about?

“Happiness belongs to those who are sufficient unto themselves. For all
external sources of happiness are, by their very nature, highly uncertain,
precarious, ephemeral, and subject to change.” - Arthur Schopenhauer

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011 5:38 PM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello,

That's what I think of when I think of Chinese merchandise and goods produced in third world countries. The glittering cities.

I enjoy some of the thought behind the message. There are indeed many thoughtful gifts that could be given which would not directly enrich a foreign land. It's always nice to buy local.

On the other hand, I think the message is phrased in a somewhat melodramatic way and has touches of Xenophobia. I agree that it was probably an American email with a find/replace function put on it.

I also think there are a few people who might take objection to the notion that everyone gets their hair cut. I've known at least one utterly bald fellow in my life. Though, even he might have enjoyed a good old fashioned straight-razor shave. I know I do. Strop, strop.

--Anthony

_______________________________________________

"In every war, the state enacts a tax of freedom upon the citizenry. The unspoken promise is that the tax shall be revoked at war's end. Endless war holds no such promise. Hence, Eternal War is Eternal Slavery." --Admiral Robert J. Henner

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Thursday, November 24, 2011 12:39 AM

MAGONSDAUGHTER

Quote:
Originally posted by AnthonyT:
Hello,

That's what I think of when I think of Chinese merchandise and goods produced in third world countries. The glittering cities.

I enjoy some of the thought behind the message. There are indeed many thoughtful gifts that could be given which would not directly enrich a foreign land. It's always nice to buy local.

On the other hand, I think the message is phrased in a somewhat melodramatic way and has touches of Xenophobia. I agree that it was probably an American email with a find/replace function put on it.

I also think there are a few people who might take objection to the notion that everyone gets their hair cut. I've known at least one utterly bald fellow in my life. Though, even he might have enjoyed a good old fashioned straight-razor shave. I know I do. Strop, strop.

Yeah, it does come across as a little jingoistic. I guess you probably notice it more when your own country isn't being referenced.

I liked the sentiment of encouraging local services and community and not buying mass produced crap.

NB If don't have enough hair for a cut, you can always get a scalp massage.

I give you glittering cities of Asia

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Thursday, November 24, 2011 2:00 AM

CANTTAKESKY

Quote:
Originally posted by Magonsdaughter:
I give you glittering cities of Asia

Anthony's not saying there aren't glittering cities in Asia.

He's saying mass manufacturing in the third world doesn't make him think of glittering cities. I agree.

It makes me think of this:

Moreover, you posted pictures of Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and Tokyo. China may be on point, but Malaysia and Japan aren't exactly manufacturing meccas any more than Australia or America.

I woulda posted one of Mumbai. But then again, ALL cities glitter at night, so, it isn't like they have more glittering cities than we do--per capita, of course.

-----
Never be deceived that the rich will allow you to vote away their wealth. -- Lucy Parsons (1853-1942, labor activist and anarcho-communist)

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Thursday, November 24, 2011 2:43 AM

DMAANLILEILTT

I noticed the jingoism in the tone straight away, but then whenever I see anything to do with local and this country I'm always looking for the jingo.

And I think if you change your Christmas tradition/s based on a chain email then you're probably not the kind of person who is gonna be at the fore-front of any kind of economic "revolution". (And I'm not meaning to criticise you personally but I'm very wary to any kind of "movement" based on the internet.)

"I really am ruggedly handsome, aren't I?"

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Thursday, November 24, 2011 2:50 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Hair cuts, car detailing, gym memberships, lawn care,... all very fine ideas.

I like it.

"The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil; but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein

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Thursday, November 24, 2011 11:06 AM

MAGONSDAUGHTER

Quote:
Originally posted by canttakesky:
Quote:
Originally posted by Magonsdaughter:
I give you glittering cities of Asia
Anthony's not saying there aren't glittering cities in Asia.

He's saying mass manufacturing in the third world doesn't make him think of glittering cities. I agree.

It makes me think of this:

Moreover, you posted pictures of Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and Tokyo. China may be on point, but Malaysia and Japan aren't exactly manufacturing meccas any more than Australia or America.

I woulda posted one of Mumbai. But then again, ALL cities glitter at night, so, it isn't like they have more glittering cities than we do--per capita, of course.

Wow, really surprised at the negativity this post has generated. Perhaps the poster is a bit on the nose in RW, more to the point.

Plenty of places build glittering cities when the majority of the people live in poverty, that is actualy a major feature of places where there is a lot of social inequality and wealth doesn't trickle down to the workers who produce the goods. Doesn't stop the megawealthy (often from OS) building glittering shrines to the god of money.

However, that being said, most of Asia is booming and their is a huge growth in middle classes in places like India and China. So I think the picture a lot of us have about 'developing' countries need to be reviewed as they quicky overtake the west in terms of economic prosperity, a trend that doesn't look like halting any time soon.

Anyway, thought it was a nice idea that you choose to support locally run businesses rather than multinational giants, who are all for us at least are all based OS, but clearly the tone has not pleased regulars.

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Thursday, November 24, 2011 11:48 AM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello,

I think tone carries a lot of weight. It speaks to intentions.

I suspect the message would have been much better received had the negative elements been excised, and the positive suggestions remained. As I said, there are good points in the email, but they sit in the shadow of something else.

Glittering cities, I suppose.

If you agree with the email's contents, I encourage you to re-write it in a more positive format. People will generally agree with helping the local economy and giving thoughtful, useful gifts. This evokes a positive response and good feeling without bringing up the specter of foreigners enriching themselves at our expense.

--Anthony

_______________________________________________

"In every war, the state enacts a tax of freedom upon the citizenry. The unspoken promise is that the tax shall be revoked at war's end. Endless war holds no such promise. Hence, Eternal War is Eternal Slavery." --Admiral Robert J. Henner

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Thursday, November 24, 2011 5:31 PM

MAGONSDAUGHTER

Most people who have seen it that I have spoken to (here in Oz) feel it has hit a chord, and have taken it in a positive manner, so I really wouldn't bother. Maybe you have yet to experience the alarm of knowing that 90% of your larger corporations, including those corporations who remove mineral wealth from your land are majority foreign owned, that a large proportion of companies that operate within this country outsource huge slabs of their labour force, including manufacturing, technical support and customer service to overseas operations, that increasing numbers of people have turned their back on retailers within this country to purchase cheaper goods online, that much of our food comes from offshore and is no longer locally grown (Argentian orange anyone) and that the market is dumped with cheaply made asian goods that local manufactuers cannot compete with and you perhaps may understand the tone. Basically people are wondering whether we are just renting this country and additionally, whether there wil be in jobs for our children and future generations who remain here.

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Thursday, November 24, 2011 7:08 PM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello,

I am glad your local audience is receiving the message well.

--Anthony

_______________________________________________

"In every war, the state enacts a tax of freedom upon the citizenry. The unspoken promise is that the tax shall be revoked at war's end. Endless war holds no such promise. Hence, Eternal War is Eternal Slavery." --Admiral Robert J. Henner

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Friday, November 25, 2011 5:35 AM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Magons darlin', that is PRECISELY what we're experiencing! It would be a great idea here, too, because the buying splurge of Black Friday will by far and away be on foreign-made goods. What you described is unfortunately right on for here, too, which is sad.

Although we do have our own produce, and lots of it, we're nonethless getting a LOT of stuff now from other places.. When the versions of American apples were out of season, we used to get imported apples...now those versions are at the market all the time. When it comes to everything else, tho', our manufacturing has gone to shit--or rather, overseas, which is about the same thing...

Anthony, that picture is spectacular! Where is it? I'm not familiar with skylines--that's my excuse--but I see the same skyline in some of the other posts, and am curious.

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Friday, November 25, 2011 6:00 AM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello Niki,

If memory serves, that is the handsome city of Perth.

--Anthony

_______________________________________________

"In every war, the state enacts a tax of freedom upon the citizenry. The unspoken promise is that the tax shall be revoked at war's end. Endless war holds no such promise. Hence, Eternal War is Eternal Slavery." --Admiral Robert J. Henner

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Friday, November 25, 2011 6:15 AM

NIKI2

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Australia, eh? It's sure gorgeous! Even big cities can look beautiful sometimes. The City (SF) looks lovely on a bright, clear day or in fog (the fog thing is just me). I've only seen three cities in all my travels that look best in fog: San Francisco, London and Frankfurt, Germany. Some just seem "right" swathed in grey.

Sure a beautiful pic, many thanx.

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Sunday, November 27, 2011 9:31 PM

RIONAEIRE

Beir bua agus beannacht

Hi Magon's, I think the email is correct, we should be buying local when possible. I'm sorry that everyone here is being pissballs and whinging about lil' things. Talk about playing the pedant. Sorry for their negativity.

If you guys want to change the wording and pass it on that way then go for it, but who really has time? Everyone can just change the wording in their own mind and not worry about it. The only wording I can think of to change would be to give business to the guy down the road instead of to the "Australian (or American in the US) down the road". But its really not such a huge thing.

"A completely coherant River means writers don't deliver" KatTaya

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Monday, November 28, 2011 12:35 PM

SIGNYM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

I find myself in agreement with a strange assortment of oddfellows. Most ppl are too busy justifying their patronage of Walmart and Apple.

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Monday, November 28, 2011 1:40 PM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello,

This whinging pissball will endeavor to be less negative in the future. I will strive to recognize that my disagreement with any parts of such a message may be construed as a defense of my Walmart and Apple spending, rather than my stated discomfort of tone and technique used in the writing of the message.

--Anthony

_______________________________________________

"In every war, the state enacts a tax of freedom upon the citizenry. The unspoken promise is that the tax shall be revoked at war's end. Endless war holds no such promise. Hence, Eternal War is Eternal Slavery." --Admiral Robert J. Henner

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Monday, November 28, 2011 4:07 PM

RIONAEIRE

Beir bua agus beannacht

Now I'm confused. The thing I thought people were whinging about was the continual use of the word "Australian" or "American" as the case may be and I thought it was whingy to focus so much on that and not the point of the message. Its possible that I misunderstood what it was people were whinging about?

"A completely coherant River means writers don't deliver" KatTaya

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Monday, November 28, 2011 4:19 PM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello,

Yes, I think that is possible.

--Anthony

_______________________________________________

"In every war, the state enacts a tax of freedom upon the citizenry. The unspoken promise is that the tax shall be revoked at war's end. Endless war holds no such promise. Hence, Eternal War is Eternal Slavery." --Admiral Robert J. Henner

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Monday, November 28, 2011 4:45 PM

CANTTAKESKY

Quote:
Originally posted by RionaEire:
Its possible that I misunderstood what it was people were whinging about?

The one whinger (Anthony) and defender of whinger (me) agree with the general intent of the message, which is to buy locally and think of service-oriented gifts this Christmas.

However, I agree with Anthony that the message sounds a bit xenophobic and melodromatic. I think it sounds bitter. Just because it is well received by Magon's fellow ozzies doesn't mean it can't be better written without those perceived elements.

Like the message. Don't care for the style. That's my whinge.

-----
Never be deceived that the rich will allow you to vote away their wealth. -- Lucy Parsons (1853-1942, labor activist and anarcho-communist)

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