Do you know where it's made?

[GingerBiscuit]

At work we've started selling jute bags with our store name on them. They are a good alternative to plastic, last forever and are generally more environmentally friendly, coming fromm a carbon neutral company and lasting for a long time. They are also selling quite well. But we don't know where they're made. We know what company they're made from.

A L.O.L (Little Old Lady) asks me a bit about them. I dread serving this particular L.O.L, as she's always irritating.
'Do you know where these are made?'
Now, this is not a sucky question in and of itself, of course. But...
Me: No, sorry.
L.O.L: Is it made in the third world?
Me: I don't know, sorry.
L.O.L: It's be nice if it was third world fair trade.
Me: I think the materials are fair trade, but I don't know where it's manufactured. Sorry.
L.O.L: I'd like to know where it's made!
Me: I don't know where it's made sorry.
L.O.L: You don't know where it's made?
Me: No. Sorry.

So she buys it, and wanders off, and asks my manager- in her high pitched, querulous voice EXACTLY THE SAME questions.

You get something similar with everything she buys as well.
]

[Becks]

If she's so curious, why doesn't she call the company that produces them?

[MrSunshineState]

If she's so curious, why doesn't she call the company that produces them?

Because that would involve effort on the part of the SC

[Becks]

You're right. This heat is affecting me. I'm not thinking straight.

[Enjis]

I used to get the "Is ANYTHING here made in the USA?" question a lot. We sell thousands of items in our store...I honestly don't know which shirts, underwear, socks are made in the US...I would have to look at the labels of each one to know that. And then, they don't always STAY the same...sometimes companies change their factories and such.
I have often, in the interest of making the customer think I care, helped them look at dozens of brands, trying to find USA made ones. Sometimes I find them. The customer usually does not buy it.
"Oh, I just wanted to know if there were any. This costs too much tho. Thanks."
Yeah, thanks for the little economics lession, jerk.

I'm all for buying USA and all that, but don't drag me into your little political rant every time you come in, okay? I'm pretty sure you knew the answer to your question before you bothered me for half an hour. You just wanted to make your little point...to the person with the LEAST power to do anything about it!

[Rapscallion]

By definition, fair trade comes from the third world. To be fair trade, it has to help impoverished farmers (for the raw materials) and manufacturers (for making the bag) from there, not people in the first world. It's a common answer for me when people are asking why there are no fairly traded oats etc.

Well, they come from down the road, y'know?

Now I'm wondering if there's a second world out there.

Rapscallion

[Shabo]

Now I'm wondering if there's a second world out there.

Rapscallion

Oh, absolutely there is. That's where all the loonies come from. They tend to migrate to first world countries, since that's where their entitled selves get the most pleasure out of passing pain and torture onto normal human beings with half a brain, because clearly, in a place where crazy entitlement whores come from, they will gain nothing from each other.

[JustADude]

Now I'm wondering if there's a second world out there.

Actually, that would be places that are more built-up than 3rd world countries but not as built up as places like the US, Canada, and most of Europe.

[iradney]

Actually, that would be places that are more built-up than 3rd world countries but not as built up as places like the US, Canada, and most of Europe.

Ayup
My country, in other words.

[Hon'ya-chan]

All i know is alot of Magazines and Comic Books are printed in Canada. The Books, you gotta look at the info in the publishers stuff.

[JustADude]

Ayup
My country, in other words.

Hmmm. It's probably been mentioned before, but where ya at, Iradney?

[iradney]

Hmmm. It's probably been mentioned before, but where ya at, Iradney?

South Africa

[Andara Bledin]

Hmmm. It's probably been mentioned before, but where ya at, Iradney?

*whispering* She's got her location listed.... just so ya know.

^-.-^

[ruffledbirdy]

Fun For Your Information Time! (F2YIT)

Second World is actually a designation of those countries under the control and influence of the Soviet Bloc or Comintern.

First world states are those under the United States/NATO affiliation, or dependent on them for protection.

Third world were unaffiliated battle ground states between the Warsaw Pact and NATO. Nations in the Middle East and Africa mostly.

6 years and a Poli Sci MA ---- I didn't waste my life! YAY!

[JustADude]

*whispering* She's got her location listed.... just so ya know.

^-.-^

Well, I feel... special.... and not the good kind.