I was in Melbourne, capital city of our state, yesterday. I saw many empty shops, some with graffiti. I took photographs in Myer , a grand old institution, that is having financial problems, much like Sears in the US. Sears, that was allegedly pushed out of business by customers preferring Amazon.
There are plenty of gifts to choose from in brick and mortar stores. Not only a place for staff to earn a living, they are a place where you can test run the products, by spraying, smearing, or trying things on. You can feel the quality in your fingers and sit on furniture.
What price will our children and grandchildren pay for our overuse of massive, warehouse based companies that deliver to our doors? Do you know they have plans to fully automate? Already firms like Amazon are accused of allegedly treating workers like machines, causing injuries and illnesses. Workers say they cannot keep up with the robots already on the floor.
What price will we pay, when the malls we used to visit to be among people as we aged, or just to be in a temperature controlled place to give our heating/cooling bills a rest; are all gone, and it’s too dangerous to walk the streets because of desperate unemployed people?
What price will we pay, when we can’t get something that just broke, or was lost, the same day? When we can’t get that last minute ingredient we forgot?
What price will the Uber rich Jeff Bezoses of the world pay? Nothing.
Swing by your local stores this Christmas. There are lots of gift ideas there. Those people behind the counter having a chat with you, have a job, for now. They may buy goods or services where you or your family member work, (for now.)
Remember, consumers run a capitalist society, so vote with your feet. Give the dignity of work, this, and every Christmas.
Just sayin’.
anaussieintheworld2 
Oh, how this grabs at my heart. All that richness of experience, and we’re exchanging it for …. dross and unemployment. I visited Melbourne once decades ago and it’s still one of my favourite cities in the world — that arcade is gorgeous. Collins Street was such a joy to stroll.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, the other way to reply wasn’t working yesterday, hoping this does. Thanks for your comment, Rina! Yes, I will be posting more on Melbourne’s arcades this week and next year.
LikeLike
IT’S HELLO AND GOODBYE, yes it is that time to shut down the computer and load the lorry, tomorrow is the day I’m moving out so I will keep in touch as and when I can until I settle in my new house, Have a great Christmas and a happy new year, bye, bye for now.
On Tue, Dec 18, 2018 at 1:44 PM anaussieintheworld2 wrote:
> runn1n90nempty posted: ” I was in Melbourne, capital city of our state, > yesterday. I saw many empty shops, some with graffiti. I took photographs > in Myer , a grand old institution, that is having financial problems, much > like Sears in the US. Sears, that was allegedly push” >
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Christmas, Badger and enjoy your New Year, knowing it’s a new start for you!
Cath
LikeLike