Chinese to observe Buy Nothing Day today
By Max Lee
The Daily Mail’s Special
Correspondent in Beijing

MONDAY November 28th 2005 is Buy Nothing Day in China, the self proclaimed festival of frugal living and culture jamboree. It’s a day where you challenge yourself, your family and friends to switch off from shopping and tune into life. Celebrated as a holiday by some, a street party by others — anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending!
This week is international Buy Nothing Day challenges China’s new breed of shoppers to keep their purses closed for a day. We take a look at our new love affair with shopping, and its social and environmental costs.
Beijing based editor Miss Chen, 24, is one of China’s new breed of consumers, operation in the new downtown district. Buy books on e-books and other things on e-bay, she says of her two favorite online shops. Chen, who started buying online when she was19, has also turned seller. This March she stocked up on wholesale clothes, bags and ornaments. I really wanted to be a seller, ever since I was a little girl, she says, I enjoy the process. I give goods to somebody; he/she gives me money: it’s like a game. But critics say consumerism is not all good. Just as the internet has helped fuel development of consumerism in China and the world, so has helped support its resistance. The idea of Buy Nothing Day (BND) has grown though the net, which itself is growing, says Michael Smith, an organizer of England’s BND 2005. It falls on this weekend.
Begun in the early 1990s, the campaign calling for one day without shopping has spread to around 50 countries. While BND doesn’t have national base in China yet, it won’t be long before China has BND sites popping up, smith says. He believes China’s consumers face the same environmental and social issues as others. Stuart Sontier, who has helped organize BND in New Zealand since 1996, explains the thinking behind the day: the fact is that we use more resources than the planet can sustainable give us. You can easily make a case that many western societies are living beyond their means, essentially stealing form following generations, said Sontier.
Despite such realties, people do enjoy buying things-even unnecessary items. For example, the boots actor Andy Lau wore in the film. A world without thieves and the car Jay Chou drove in initially were both snapped up on e-bay.com over the last year. “People buy these things because they love and admire these stars. Or they’re driven by curiosity,” says e-bay’s public relations manager Mr Lao. Another reason for them is that these things might gain value in the future.
Real shops still have appeal, says fashion designer Miss Luo, 23, Luo says she prefers the atmosphere of shops and is attracted by interesting-looking windows. Using her credit card, to get discounts, she spends 4,000 yuan(around 500$) a month on books , clothes and things that are interesting and cute, but not very useful.
The challenge is to try simple living for a day, spend time with family and friends, rather than spend money on them. People make a pact with themselves to take a break from shopping as a personal experiment or public statement and the best thing is — IT’S FREE!
Buy Nothing Day exposes the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism. The developed countries — only 20% of the world population are consuming over 80% of the earth’s natural resources, causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage and unfair distribution of wealth.
Although consumerism has traditionally been a problem only in western countries, over 240 million urban residents in China now considered consumers with similar demands, purchasing power, and waste. With China’s economy growing at about 9 per cent per your, the number of Chinese consumers will rival that of the us. As a result, the environment is particularly at risk because of resources use and waste production. For example, 25 years ago, there were few private cars in China. By 2000, there were 5 million cars in the country, and today there are as many as 24 million, all contributing to serious problems of resource use , poor urban air quality , and ultimately, global warming. As people become richer, they eat more meat and drinking more milk. Raising animal, compared to rice and vegetables, requires more resources. It also creates tons of pollution in the form of manure and global worming gasses. Even though governments and industries must be responsible for polluting, it’s individuals who throw garbage on the ground and drive cars when they don’t really need to.
As consumers we need to question the products we buy and challenge the companies who produce them. What are the true risks to the environment and developing countries? The argument is broad and deep — while it continues we should be looking for simple solutions — Buy Nothing Day is a good place to start.
Of course, Buy Nothing Day isn’t about changing your lifestyle for just one day — we want it to be a lasting relationship — maybe a life changing experience? We want people to make a commitment to consuming less, recycling more and challenging companies to clean up and be fair. The supermarket or shopping mall might offer choice, but this shouldn’t be at the cost of the environment or developing countries. Admit it. We love shopping. Fighting consumerism doesn’t have to mean giving up Saturday afternoons spent strolling around the mall with friends. Here are three ways to get the psychological and social benefits of shopping, without actually spending money.
Firstly, we may take a casual stroll; make a date with friend for lunch. Eat a ton of food and tell your friend; I am so stuffed. I really want to burn off some of those calories. Walk together to the nearest shopping centre for a casual stroll. Admire the clothes. Your full stomach will prevent you from wanting to try anything on.
Or, to be the indecisive shopper; guys especially, are fond of the research-like aspect of this type. Travel to a shopping center; visit every store that sells something similar to your target object. Try it on, ask the price, and get your friends opinions-but doesn’t buy. This is a preparation for real shopping. Maybe you’ll return in three moths when it goes on sale.
Thirdly, took a museum trip, to ensure you won’t break down a day buy anything, head to the most expensive shop. Everything in the store must be far beyond your price range. Don’t worry about annoying the shop assistants. They are paid to be patient. Think of this type of window-shopping as a trip to a museum. It will help you improve your taste and sense of design.
Why not, free and with fun.