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.
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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.
could you please send me a "wenis" air freshener.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to try to find some!
ReplyDelete