After my 5-month test run, I’ve decided to move to Mérida. So I’ve signed the lease on a house there and am now back in my midwestern community to sell all my stuff. But first I have to pause to let the latest culture shock wash over me.
Every time I come back to the States something different stands out for me. This time it has been the irony of “green” consumerism.
The local whole-foods grocery has a bulletin board that displays comments from shoppers. Here are a few comments from people who apparently don’t share my sense of irony.
And here are some of the “healthful” products for the “mindful” consumers:
Alas, nothing has been done to protect the vegans from themselves.
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After living in Mérida for a few years, trips back the states always result in culture shock. Comments like those you posted above seem really trivial, and the self-absorbed earnestness, the conceit that these things really are IMPORTANT reminds me how privileged and isolated from the realities of the world middle-class Americans can be. When you are in a place where lots of your neighbors are very pleased each day just to feed the family, and spend their lives hoping to remain healthy because there is no way they can afford health care, the world view of the health food store commenters seems more than a bit silly. Sad, too, because they think that by being “green” they are making a big difference. Sorry to say, they may feel their consciences are clear, but the real issues go way beyond muzak in the store and vegans eating desserts that make them fat. Amazing.
Marc, thanks for your comment. I think “privileged” and “isolated” hit the mark in many cases. When I was here last, the same store was selling plastic tote bags that were made in China–but that was supposedly OK, because the plastic was recycled and bore the following in jumbo letters: “I’m saving the world. What are YOU doing?”
(With that said, it *is* nice to have a wide selection of aged cheese. I’d like to beam the entire cheese case to Mega.)