Consumer Class In Canada

Statistics show that today there are over 1.7 billion members of the “consumer class”- half of them being in the developing world (2011, the World Watch Institute). Being part of the consumer class myself, I believe it is crucial to dispense a great deal of money on goods and services to improve the economy here in Canada. Does this mean I’m considered to be a consumer as a result of my views on world consumption? Yes, I fit into the category of a consumer due to the fact that I’m part of the endless cycle of supply and demand. From the moment I leave my house and walk the two minutes to the bus stop I’m already thinking about what I’m going to buy. When I embark on the crowded bus I’m immediately surrounded by other consumers that I share

A few years ago when I visited Hungary, my relatives were shocked by the amount of money I spent to fund my trip. “You spent how much on WHAT!?” my relatives exclaimed when they found out I had spent over 150$ on ice cream alone. In addition to not counting the other ridiculous amounts I spent on food, there was also gifts for my family back home and countless nonsense that I had bought for myself. I was even asked, upon purchasing snacks at a local grocery store, if I was preparing for an apocalypse. I’m astounded by how different the views on consumerism are for people living in a developing country compared to a first world country like Canada. I only noticed how unacceptable my addiction to consumerism is when it was time to pack my luggage for the flight home and I wasn’t able to fit everything and thus I’m forced to leave nearly 70$ worth of goods behind. It was the first time where I legitimately felt unintelligent with what I was spending my money on and my relatives to this day create no shortage of teasing about it. Nevertheless, upon arriving home my immediate family is thrilled and call it “Christmas in July” when they spot all of the goodies I brought whereas my relatives were upset and said that it is: “a waste of

My biggest phobia is feeling left out, and therefore I feel required to have the same objects as other consumer with similar traits as myself to feel “up to date”. Out in public, if I can look around and say to myself “I Have the same style of clothing as that person, or my cell phone is just as powerful as theirs” then I feel involved in society. Knowing that I feel involved creates a happier feeling for myself since I believe that I’m a role model for others. However, I constantly annoy my siblings, telling them shopping is crucial and recommending certain brands. I consume tons for the sake of being a role model for them, it puts the biggest smile on my face when I hear one of my siblings talk about how great I dress to one of their friends. It’s from this addiction to happiness that results in consuming greater than I may need to feel more involved. When I feel intimidated I need happiness, to cheer me up and my way out of it is to consume, for some people its cigarettes to deal with stress, for me its consume to be pleased.

Therefore, we consumers all share a common view about consumerism which is work, bring in money, and consequently, spend money. We all have an addiction to consume to bring us what we think is our happiness, occasionally this addiction even consumes us entirely and we have nothing left. It is the vicious cycle of supply and demand, we believe