We watched a documentary on French television last night that made me itch just watching it. We were treated to scenes of clothing, jeans and shoes, being manufactured in Asia, mainly China and Bangladesh, during which the products were liberally sprayed and impregnated with toxic chemicals. We were also shown what can happen to people who buy these things. One woman who bought shoes in Paris ended up with feet that looked as if they been trampled on by a herd of cattle.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Hello Tom
I’m currently wearing a T shirt that I purchased at the 3rd / 4th playoff match (Match 63) held at our stadium, from the official FIFA shop
The tag clearly states ‘made in China’, I’m happy with it, it’s been washed a couple of times and no signs of a rash (yet!)
I only bought it because this was the last match of the tournament to be held here and FIFA were having a ‘Fire Sale’
Hi Tom. The trouble is, everything we wear is either made in China or elsewhere in Asia, mainly China, in sweat shops. I watched a program once on how the Chinese were treating PVC material, all the various stages it went through to end up like leather. I bought a purse once, the woman in the shop said “Good choice, isn’t it a lovely soft leather?” I replied “No, it’s a lovely soft PVC, this purse has never been anywhere near a cow”
I can imagine how you felt watching that Tom, I’m itching at the thought. I’m always wary when I look at shoes that say “Synthetic sole- leather uppers” Leather uppers?? I doubt it.
For reasons I’ve explained before, I am reasonably knowledgeable about allergic reactions – when it is a matter, literally, of life and death, you tend to educate yourself about things, don’t you? So I raise a quibble about the use of the word ‘toxic.’ (A bunch of definitions here: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&newwindow=1&safe=off&defl=en&q=define:toxic&sa=X&ei=tHxQTJnOB5OCOL3t5JsB&ved=0CBIQkAE (Amongst the dross, of course.) Like; ‘Having a chemical nature that is harmful to health or lethal if consumed or otherwise entering into the body in sufficient quantities’ But, note, this applies to the general case – a toxin would affect all of us, not just the odd individual. Just because milk could kill my Grandson, doesn’t make milk toxic, now, does it? Because it could also kill one of my friends her who has the same allergy to milk proteins as my grandson, still doesn’t make it ‘toxic.’ Even if you consider all the hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who suffer from the same deadly allergy, it still doesn’t make milk ‘toxic.’ It is the same with these chemicals. Because a number of unfortunate people suffer reactions to certain substances, it doesn’t make them ‘toxic.’
On ‘sweatshops’, Val. This may be a case of perception. Ever wondered why people would flock, in their hundreds of millions, (China, remember,) to work in these places?
Sweat shops exist because people here want pound shops in their high streets that demean the area and sell shoddy rubbish
Doesn’t explain all those hundreds of millions flocking to the cities to work in them, though, does it?
Déjà vu, perhaps?
Didn’t something like this happen in the UK, Bravo?
Was it the Industrial Revolution?
Rick – I don’t think it is just that. Quite a few ‘high-end’ labels want also to maximise profits by way of cheap foreign labour.
OZ
Ain’t that just the truth, Oz!
In fact is an imperative; just one of the joys of globalisation.
OZ. Chicken and egg? Araminta, and for similar reasons.
It’s boringly described in ‘supply and demand’ theory, which is unsentimental and inhuman for those who prefer cosy local economies! 🙂
It is so simple, don’t buy cheap crap, branded sports goods or shop at cheap rubbish stores!
A few well chosen garments made in European/American locations are still to be had. They may not be cheap but they will at least last.
It is perfectly possible to source organic cotton clothing.
Nothing is ever for nothing in this world!
If I don’t get at least a decade out of a garment I am likely to send it back to the manufacturer and complain! Amortised out it is the cheapest way to go.
God preserve me from fools and idiots!
The usual maxim, pay peanuts and get monkeys or in this case the monkey’s poisonous draws!
Christina. Poor men spend more on boots than rich men 🙂
I bet they do! Seeing they wear them everyday!
Reminds me of N Carms. All the boys, rich and poor wore their best boots to the neighbouring village hops. Custom was/is the natives of each village didn’t like their girls being taken by ‘foreigners’ from 2 miles down the road. It always ended in a good fight and you needed the boots to be able to kick your way out of the village hall!
I have a mate who owns more farms than you can shake a stick at that still wears his ‘dancing boots’, as he will call them, every time he goes to the pub, just in case his luck changes. He is 55 and a confirmed bachelor!
We have a standing arrangement that if I need a fourth husband he is the next in line. Trouble is his English is so bad and his Welsh worse after a few pints, no one can understand him!
Probably a blessing!!!
Nice to know you have one in reserve, Christina. Very sensible. Presumably you wouldn’t winkle him out of Carmarthenshire though.
OK – Now here’s a contentious statement. In my considerable professional experience the worst enemies of the ‘little man’ in a ‘developing’ country are his own politicians who, having shinned up the greasy domestic pole, learn the game and play it for their own financial advantage to the detriment of aforementioned ‘little man’. This happens in ‘developed’ countries too. Discuss.
OZ
No argument from me, Oz; ’tis the nature of the beast.
Araminta – But when you’ve seen it close up and personal you will realise what a beast it is.
OZ
Ah, I haven’t, Oz but members of my family have, and I have every reason to believe them. I trust their judgement.