(JCB) Chapter 5 Shopping/ Social Order

Shopping is enjoyed by many, and disliked by a lot as well. This section gives basically two ways sociologists view shopping in the way different societies practice it, and at first I rejected the idea of it being a social problem. At first glance I see shopping as a social way for people to exercise their freedom in individual choice, to conform to trends to feel comfortable or to radically disobey them to feel special. If our shopping was done at a market where there were local and family makers and sellers, where the profits went to your neighbors and the community, and everyone knew where they goods came from and didn’t feel the corporate pressure some feels to conform to trends, then shopping would be the positive experience I saw at first glance. People are financially divided and fashionably divided based on the huge scary thing we value called individual choice. In general, people like new things, not just clothes but cars, electronics, accessories, furniture etc. Some people look down upon those who do not own new, popular things, and on some level, they feel as if they are above them. For example, the new IPhone 12 pro launched and when you see strangers carrying them, two things come to mind; they are either rich, or are one of those people who buy anything as long as it’s new and in demand. This is another factor that plays part in discrimination because some people are going to judge you regardless of who you actually are, but for what you present on your body. Shopping can be a form of entertainment, a release of boredom and stress, and a way to acquire new stuff. Others think about the negative factors of shopping. They think about the time standing in line, credit card debit, and financial stress. We often value products and shopping experiences that make us feel fashionable and communicate a desirable sense of self. Consumers feel as though they can’t control their shopping habits and unwittingly go into debt. As personally I enjoy shopping to distract myself or I just go try one thing and act like I’m interested and leave. Clothing brands or any type of brands tend to tell about a person’s economic class or what most people think. Brand is just a label with much meaning to certain people, which is stupid. No one is to worry about fashion, as long as they like what they wear.