TWTW: American Crap

Where do all the clothes that Americans make but don't use go? Well, I not sure exactly, but they're not all burned. Lots of them end up in second-hand markets in Africa. So next time you go shopping, please don't buy things you won't use. Our junk is stifling a potential cotton economy in Africa. And some of it is just plain ugly. Shoes, t-shirts, air-fresheners for cars, I've seen it all. Even the air fresheners that really should have stayed in America.


And, since the shirts are mostly in English, people have no idea what they're saying. This leads to some great moments for us English-speakers. In the last few days I have seen a man wearing a Durham Bulls baseball hat and men wearing shirts that say:

• No Money, No Honey
• I HEART HOT MOMS
• Member: Mile High Club
• I'm Rick James...

But how does it get here? Who knows? Check out this description of a dissertation on the second-hand trade. Fascinating.

The other phenomenon I've noticed is that company names and acronyms are used here that would never fly in the United States. Below is a great example, and is coincidently, an air-freshener.