When I embarked on my Buy American Challenge, one thing I realized early on was the importance of making sure that my choice to buy American whenever possible was not unduly influencing those around me. It is one thing to show a good example of how to buy American, it is quite another to force others to buy American-made goods against their will, whether it is done intentionally or not.
It is important not to allow this to happen for several reasons. Not only is it not courteous to impose your buying habits on others, but it can also make it unsustainable to remain committed to your own buy American principles when those closest to you are becoming frustrated.
Let me boil this down with an easy example for the guys out there: If your wife or girlfriend wants to buy a dress made in Guatemala, let her do it. Don’t even think about telling her she can’t or shouldn’t buy any item of clothing she wants because it’s not made in America. Trust me; this will not be well received. It also could make it difficult for you to continue buying American yourself.
That’s why the Buy American Challenge only applies to one’s own personal purchase decisions. It does not apply to any of the joint purchases we make with spouses, family members, or friends. It does not apply household purchases. It also does not apply to purchases we make for the businesses we work for. That is not to say that a product’s country of origin can’t be one factor of many considered when making these kinds of purchases. We simply should never feel the need to apply our own personal purchasing values to purchases made with, or on behalf of, others.
Ultimately, we want those closest to us to be supportive of our decision to buy American. In fact, we will need their support to stay on a buy American program. If those close to us decide to adopt a buy American lifestyle as well, that’s great, but it has to be their choice to do it. Let’s make sure those around us are not unwillingly being dragged on a buy American journey.
Until next time, here’s to doing what we can to support our country by buying American.
Randy
[…] guidelines of the Buy American Challenge say that buying American only applies to you. It does not apply to friends and family you might be buying gifts for. So, if your nephew asks […]
I have little or no influence on the clothing my wife buys. However, I do have influence on other purchases. When we’re buying dishes, glasses or whatever, I refuse to buy Chinese or Vietnamese stuff and I try to buy American. My rationale is that most third world countries don’t have the product safety standards that more developed countries have and it becomes a health issue. I absolutely refuse to buy food or anything else that I put in my mouth (including toothbrushes!) made in China. My wife, God bless her, rolls her eyes but usually agrees. There is a refrigerator purchase in our future and I foresee a fight on my hands if the Mexican built fridge fits her needs better! I will point out that our home state of Arkansas has lost at least two appliance plants to Mexico and with them good jobs from a state that desperately needs them.
[…] guidelines of the Buy American Challenge say that buying American only applies to you. It does not apply to friends and family you might be buying gifts for. So, if your nephew asks […]