Reply #18: I rarely go to the mall. [View All]

[earth mom]

The last time I went I did buy a pair of shoes (on sale) at "The Walking Store". A pair of "Naot" shoes from Israel-very comfy. That store sell shoes that I believe are made in Italy, Sweden, Germany and other European locations and I think that few, if any, of the shoes sold there are made in China. Brands like Born, Birkenstock, Dansko, TEVA, Merrill, Keen, etc. Every pair of shoes that I've bought with these name brands are very well made, have lasted a long time and are oh so comfy. However, more often than not I've purchased some (not all) of these brands (usually on the mens rack) at ROSS for a fraction of the price of the mall store.

As for smells at the mall, I am very sensitive to chemical smells and I haven't really noticed chemical smells in the stores, but then again, I rarely go to the mall. Maybe the air filtration system is set on high at the mall I go to and that's why I haven't noticed a smell! Mainly, I avoid the mall because I dislike and can't afford the high prices, but more importantly, hate the massive commercialization that is pushed in your face there. Instead, I shop ROSS, TJ Maxx, Target or local shops most of the time and only hit the mall when I have to find a few specific things-maybe once a season. I have noticed however that the quality of most stuff made these days is VERY poor and cheap, so I totally agree that it has gotten harder and harder to find clothing that is made to last. But since I'm no slave to fashion, I usually wait to find clothes that I really like. I also find stuff at the thrift store, though I'm picky there and buy nothing that is too worn or poor quality. I also often find new or near new, good quality purses there but never buy their used shoes-just a bit too icky for me.

Given the rampant greed in this country, it's no surprise that our shopping choices are poor quality, chemical laden ones. While the thugs in Washington DC go on and on about Terra! Terra! Terra!, they simply ignore the safety of the contents of the massive influx of cargo we now have in this country. The EPA is in bed with greedy corporate bastards, so NO ONE is monitoring any of it. :grr: