Our consumer culture is out of control. Once, we shopped to buy what we needed. Now we shop for other reasons: to impress each other, to fill a void, to kill time.
That's the message from a group of activists behind "Buy Nothing Day". First held in Canada in 1992, "Buy Nothing Day" is celebrated on the last Friday in November and has spread to major cities across the world.
On November 25, 2000, campaigners in North America hit the streets, handing out leaflets suggesting alternatives to shopping, and putting up posters with the message: "Warning-all they want is your money."
Behind these activities is a belief that consumerism has commercialized society.
Everywhere people go, a voice in their ears says: "Buy me."
This is having a worrying effect. Around 700,000 people in Britain and up to 15 million people in the US are compulsive shoppers, it is claimed. These shopaholics have low self-esteem and respond to the promises of glamour, wealth and popularity made by famous brands. They need to shop to feel fulfilled. Eventually they become addicted.
Critics of "Buy Nothing Day" say it is not a good cause. For millions of people across the world, every day is buy nothing day. Why not go to Africa and organize a "Buy Something Day"? Supporters argue that people in rich countries will do more to handle world poverty when they change their own attitude to consumerism.
On the streets, the "Buy Nothing Day" activists generally get a friendly reception. People listen as they make their point. They nod their head in agreement. Then they go ahead and shop. It takes more than an idealistic young person to stop the commercial tide.
With so much of the global economy dependent on consumers, it can be argued that shopping is even a kind of duty. But the "Buy Nothing Day" message is still worth hearing.
Be an individual, it says. Be independent of commercial pressure. These are great qualities to have. Where can I buy them?
Muhammad Sha'ani b. Abdullah
Chief Executive and Secretary-General
Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca)
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