A Moral Dilemna?
September 30, 2012
Upon my initial purchase of dollar neckwear at Martha’s Outfitters, I was concerned about any ethical implications. Was buying from a thrift store when I am clearly not poor, was I somehow denying legitimately low-income people clothes? Was it wrong of me? I consulted the Google, finding a page specifically about my question, “Is it moral to shop at Goodwill?”
I felt good in my conclusion that Goodwill-type stores probably do have way more clothes than they can sell, so if I buy I am not "denying" anybody anything, but the store does get my few dollars. I guess in a sense I am giving them a small donation in return for clothes with a marginal cost of approximately zero to them. So, basically, I am a fucking saint.
My parents took me out for dinner that night, where I asked for their thoughts on the moral implications of somebody like me shopping at a thrift store. My mother was perplexed.
"You don't need to do that, you always have us."
"No, no, Mom, I know that, and I don't need to, that's not what I mean..."
"We've spent a lot of time, effort, and money over the years to make sure you've gone to good schools, so you can take care of yourself and afford things."
"No, that's not, uh, no, that's.... nevermind."
My father's only contribution to the conversation would be to ask if they are 100% silk ties. Many if not most if not nearly all of them are.