Do You Boycott?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

For those who say they will not tell others that they are boycotting a company and/or will not expect ("hope"--you cannot force anyone to do anything) others to boycott a company:

Are there ever exceptions to this?

Is there ever a time when someone is patronizing a company and you think they are being a foolish consumer?

Is there ever a time when you feel you cannot avoid telling people that they are being foolish consumers?

If I am TRULY against a company, I may mention it to my friends in passing, but k_s not agreeing =/= k_s' friends not agreeing. Generally, I will just take my business elsewhere. My friends are grown and can shop where they want.

If you frequent Nike (for example) and I'm against it, I won't berate you for wearing the shoes. I will mention it if we're having a relevant discussion about child labor laws or something, though.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If I am TRULY against a company, I may mention it to my friends in passing, but k_s not agreeing =/= k_s' friends not agreeing. Generally, I will just take my business elsewhere. My friends are grown and can shop where they want.

If you frequent Nike (for example) and I'm against it, I won't berate you for wearing the shoes. I will mention it if we're having a relevant discussion about child labor laws or something, though.

I understand.

If you told a friend or family member that Nike employs 5 year old children in poorer countries and the friend or family member says "those damn ghetto foreigner kids better get back to work then" and keeps wearing Nike, would that shape your opinion of (Nike and) that friend or family member?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I understand.

If you told a friend or family member that Nike employs 5 year old children in poorer countries and the friend or family member says "those damn ghetto foreigner kids better get back to work then" and keeps wearing Nike, would that shape your opinion of (Nike and) that friend or family member?

Would it shape my opinion of Nike? No.

My friends and family members who would respond with something like that are doing it to prompt a discussion or bitchfest, so I'd "know" it was coming and would engage that person. It wouldn't be an "OMG WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS NOW" thing, though.

[Tulip86]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If I am TRULY against a company, I may mention it to my friends in passing, but k_s not agreeing =/= k_s' friends not agreeing. Generally, I will just take my business elsewhere. My friends are grown and can shop where they want.

If you frequent Nike (for example) and I'm against it, I won't berate you for wearing the shoes. I will mention it if we're having a relevant discussion about child labor laws or something, though.

This.

I may say something if the subject comes up, or if a friend asks why I won't buy there, but no Facebook-posting sprees here.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

If I am TRULY against a company, I may mention it to my friends in passing, but k_s not agreeing =/= k_s' friends not agreeing. Generally, I will just take my business elsewhere. My friends are grown and can shop where they want.

If you frequent Nike (for example) and I'm against it, I won't berate you for wearing the shoes. I will mention it if we're having a relevant discussion about child labor laws or something, though.

Pretty much. If I disagree with a company/product/person/etc. then I can take my business elsewhere but won't necessarily demand others do the same. I may say "Ooooh girl, did you hear?" or "Guess what happened to me today?" and share what peeved me but my feelings won't be hurt if my friends continue to shop there. The exception to this is when a product has something dangerous in it that has been linked to an illness or deaths. Then I will warn loved ones of what data I've found (this has only happened twice).

It's not a company but a this is still a good example of why I said "It depends on how badly I need the service": I have done a lot of volunteer work for humane societies and the ASPCA and, subsequently, I don't wear fur. However, my beliefs are strong enough that I don't wear fur but not enough for me to throw away my figure skates and 75% of my shoes because they're all made of leather.