lara

Thats reassuring Asparagus. Seriously. And no, the shoes aren't mine. End of topic?

If they were mine... I guess I have a different perspective because I grew up in South Africa. The last thing I want to is get Velvet thinking I'm judging him for his Armani suit, or Bouche for his Prada hand-bag. Thanks Timouse. I appreciate someone getting me here.

I would have a hard time enjoying those shoes, knowing that they cost more than the annual income of many families in South Africa.

It sounds like you're saying that its ok if you give/compensate in other ways.

Ahh... I knew I'd be outnumbered. All this caring is exhausting. Maybe I'll just join MarcO's train of thought. It sounds easier.

So the story goes... Person A took Person B shopping to "a new pair of shoes" and ended up buying 2 pairs of shoes, total cost $540. Person B only saw the total when it was rung up. Someone mentioned intentions... Person A's motivation was that Person B looked good when they were at one of Person A's events. Person A knows that Person B struggles to make ends meet on a everyday basis.

So my "area of reasonableness" is rediculous? Isn't it better than nothing though?

What does that mean?

Well there has to be an area of reasonableness. Obviously we need shoes, clothes etc. Obviously we need enjoyment, celebration. So I figure there has to be a line, what's ok and what's not ok. $100-$150 seems to be acceptable in most people's minds for a good pair of shoes that you're going to use. But the leap to $250, or over $500 for two pairs of shoes is excessive. And seriously, what's so superior in a $300 pair of shoes as opposed to a $100 pair of shoes? A guitar at $800+ seems fine to me. You cant get a high quality cheap guitar. Thats art, and also often a one-time or at least rare-ish buy.

The value - 100% I just feel that there's such a huge gap between North American wealth and miserably poverty in so many place in the world. I figure why buy/accept a $250 pair of shoes when there are families who cant afford to eat, let alone buy Christmas presents for their children. To me, that kind of excessive consumerism is disgusting. To me accepting it because its a gift, is the same as a vegetarian eating meat because it was served to him/her.

I miss summer festivals...

However, so many gifts are given with the receipt attached which I take to mean, feel free to change them if you wish. BTW - A flock of chicks through Heifer to a family in third world farming community is only $20US... Meat, eggs and they keep on giv'n!

Can she get me a job?

I think heifer is a fantastic program. I once spent a Christmas making charitable donations (United Way, WWF, Adopt a child) in various names as Christmas presents instead of material stuff... It wasn't appreciated. And I ended up feeling so disillutioned. $100 for a good pair of shoes is justifiable. However, I seldom fork out more than $30 for shoes, and I pretty much survive on 1 pair of sandals for summer, 1 pair of shoes and 1 pair of boots in winter. But what about receiving 2 pairs $250 shoes as a gift? Is it ok because its a gift?

Agreed. So in your mind $100 is reasonable for a decent pair of shoes?

A question on ethics: Is it ok to buy a pair of brown leather lace up shoes for $250? How about receive them as a gift? What about 2 pairs of shoes at $250 each? Where does consumerism begin and end, is what I'm wondering... My opinion: Buy - not cool Receive 1 pair - Ok, but pushing it Receive 2 pairs - No way.

I look forward to it... One of the few times mama and baby get to see daddy play his geetah.

Congrats Bouche... I cant wait to buy one next spring. Thats awesome.

Sounds like you'll be better just in time for the slip! Thats not so bad!

namedropper!

zero, didn't a band write about you already?

The only jambands I love, are the very best ones.

Where was that published?

The writer obviously knows nothing about jambands and is one of those vetoeing by the very name. Brad is criticising 'jambands' as much as the writer... convenient non-truth indeed.

Thanks zero. Thats really helpful. j/k!