Responsible Consumerism
While still in the dumps, I did want to call attention to something...
Last week my friend from South Africa was here. We went to the big mall in the area (Potomac Mills) because apparently, according to her, they love American name brand stuff over there in SA. She dragged me into Abercrombie & Fitch. I really don't like this store at all! Did you notice that almost all the models in the pictures are white - never a person of color. What's that about? You want me to spend my hard earned money there and you can't even respect me enough to put one non-white model?!
As if it couldn't get worse, I find this on the responsible shopper website:
Additionally, a 2004 Oxfam report revealed that A&F still sources clothing from factories that violate international labor standards. Workers at these factories are forced to work long hours plus overtime with little or no appropriate compensation.
I reiterate my plea for conscientious shopping. Luckily my friend bought nothing at A&F, though my sister continues to shop there (despite my tirades against the shop). I'm just not impressed with A&F, the clothes are blah and they don't even pretend to care about me, the non-white consumer.
oh also, while mentioning those companies I hate, let me reiterate again my loathing of Virgin Atlantic Airways. Let us remember, I'm an airline person and the three times I flew on them, twice as a paying customer and once as an airline employee I was treated like dirt. I don't think Virgin understands at all the concept of Customer Service. Do yourself a favor, if you are flying to London, take British Airways, they not only have a lovely in-flightcustomer service but a quality product!
posted by Virginia Gal @ 9:58 PM
8 Comments:
It's nice that you do take time to research that stuff.
A&F- could those models get any skinnier! or young! Never been in the store and prob never will!
British Air all the way- the best flight I have ever taken on a plane- was to England of course and British Air!-was afew years back, but still quite memorable!
I'd never set foot in A&F myself, just because it is so uber-trendy . . . although I don't think they are as much anymore, at least according to my college-student sister.
I'll keep BA in mind if I ever do make it to London. :-)
Flew on BA once and it was a great flight.
A&F is not too prominent out here in the burbs of South Jersey, and I can't say I feel cheated!
I wish all advertising would be more diverse. In the end, it is probably the marketplace that does the most to knock down the boundaries between people.
Seriously? Virgin Atlantic was fabulous with us (except for the racist Asian bitch who treated us like dirt for being Middle Eastern... too bad we didn't catch her name or we would denounce her... we were too much in shock) and I have always had trouble and crappy service with British Airways! Luck of the draw maybe?
You know, I have never shopped at A&F! Phew! I guess you can still like me then? ;-P
I have a video thing up but still no proper update I'm afraid though you inspired me to get my butt into gear! I have missed you my dear and hope all is well with you!
I've flown Virgin in Australia and it was unremarkable - not good, not bad. Haven't flown British Air since I went to England 25 years ago. My hands down favorite airline is KLM.
Joe - thanks, that store really bugs me so I thought I'd spend a little time and delve further in.
Mommantor - ahh so you know of what I speak regarding BA, I just think they provide an overall better service. yes, could those models be skinner??
Random Kath - count your blessings never going in - I myself don't venture in except when friends like this one force me to go...and I pull faces the entire time we are inside, hee hee.
Merci - hee hee, yes you're not being cheated by A&F not being in South Jersey, yes I suppose the marketplace evokes change, if enough people protest something will be done, no?
Miz Bohemia!! - So lovely to hear from you, I'm going to bop over to your blog straightaway, I'm dying to hear how goes life in SFO?
As for Virgin, I'm shocked but like you said it could have been luck of the draw, I'm inclined to think you got the ONE nice Virgin Crew cause I swear they are all rotten! Its my life goal to see that airline go under (mess with Virginia Gal and feel my wrath, hee hee.).
Welcome back!!
CS - KLM -wow I haven't flown them in ages, you know they are one of the few carriers in all my time with the airlines I never flew, how weird?! My experience with them was good, of course I was like 12 at the time, going to India.
A&F isn't racist, I've been to the casting calls for modelling and only about 1% of the auditionees are white. As long as the pictures are good, who cares about the colour of their skin? Integration is still a type of racism anyway. We shouldn't even care about race at all in order not to be racist.
Also, Virgin Atlantic is amazing. They give free massages and alcohol all the time.
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