Chinese or International?

I don't usually write about things that don't concern food but I feel it necessary to vent about an email I received from a friend who has asked me to boycott Chinese products with the ridiculous proposed outcome being that I would be providing more jobs for Canadians and Americans.  Such is the rant presented in a so-called documentary feature by Diane Sawyer.

When I purchase food, I generally try to by locally and in season.  I use very little in the way of canned or packaged goods and I doubt few if any I do use come from China.  However, when it comes to clothes, it is different. My son, Jay is a fashion designer in New York and in order to make it more consumer friendly to the American and Canadian markets has to have his clothes made in China from silks purchased in Korea.  I am not sure about the toys I buy for my grandchildren but I usually know and stick with the brands I prefer such as Melissa & Doug.  I am a conscious consumer who would not want my grandkids playing with something that had lead-based paints for example.  However, I look for quality and I am not particular where it is made and am really not the sort of person to boycott anything.  It is usually started by some miss-informed individual that decides his or her snipit of information is worth sharing and riling up the masses.  Sadly, there are people that say, yeah let's do it, let's fight, let's boycott.

Apparently, Diane Sawyer said if you were to remove everything in a middle class American or Canadian home that was made in China you would have nothing or very little left.  I wonder where she arrived as this unfounded information.  She is promoting everyone to refrain from purchasing anything Chinese for a month.  This is supposed to support and provide Canadians and Americans with jobs that have been taken away by the Chinese.  This is balderdash.

Following this email from a friend, I decided to take a look at the items I had amassed to create my usual Jewish New Year's gifts I give to my nearest and dearest friends and relatives.  The gifts usually include one of my now famous honey cakes that I am told people await with anticipation.  That for sure is Canadian made by a Canadian citizen, me!  The honey I use is Billy Bee, made right here in London, Ontario.  I checked each item to see where it came from.  The honey cake is then put on a Wilton cake circle.  That is Made in the USA.  Who else even makes such an item?  There is no choice in that one.  The cake is then placed on a beautiful wooden tray that is Made in China and I feel no qualms about buying and using it.  Why shouldn't I include them.  I like the product.  Also, in this year's gift basket is All Natural Honey flavouring spoons which are perfect for flavouring your favourity teas, coffees and hot beverages.  They are proudly Made in the USA.  They say so on the back of the package.  I am also including pot holders or oven mitts Made In Canada. 

I would consider myself the average consumer although my husband might disagree saying I do better than the average in shopping and often asks whether the store had taken my picture and displayed it in a prominent spot.  If I am truly the average consumer, I would not say my house is filled with Chinese products not that I have checked everything.  Just from this little exercise, I would say I support Canadian and US products but don't boycott other countries products.  Hopefully, someone will stand up to Diane Sawyer and tell her she is spreading malicious propaganda.