Thread: Is there Stuff you won't buy on Principle?

I've got a few :-


Diamonds. Forget the bullshit marketing, a diamond isn't forever- and you're certainly not. It's an overpriced 'precious stone', and the price is far more than it should be because of a sleazy cartel known as de Beers. Then you've got 'blood diamonds'- money off the diamond industry finances a lot of civil war and assorted violence. Most often, you don't know where the diamond you buy comes from. Coloured gemstones, no problem. I think they look better anyway.

Sharks fin soup. I'm a happy carnivore, and I've got no problem eating sharks fin soup as such. What I don't like is that they just lop the sharks fins off, then throw it back into the water to slowly drown. What a waste- and the heavy demand for sharks fin, from the Chinese in particular, is having a major effect on the ecosystems of reefs. I also wouldn't buy tiger penis, bear bile, monkey brain or any endangered species. Living in HK, this got me a few funny looks- sharks fin soup is almost 'de rigeur' for a Chinese banquet, and it can be construed as a loss of face for the host. Screw him- he shouldn't be buying the stuff either. I hate the Chinese habit of eating rare animals.

Champagne. I don't particularly like the stuff, and in particular I don't like the pretentious knobbery that surrounds it. And it's stoopidly overpriced. If I must buy a sparkling wine for an occasion, I make sure it is not an appelation 'Champagne'.

Ivory. No way. Why kill such a magnificent animal just for it's tusks? Obscene.

T shirts just featuring a designer logo- knobbish. Why should I advertise some French or Italian pooves Logo, and look like a knob at the same time? And I don't care if it's 'fake' or 'real'.

Fashion or Trendy mobile phones. If I was still in the biz world I'd need a better mobile, with Email and basic spreadsheet & database capacities. But thats business. A mobile phone ain't a fashion item, it's just a bloody portable phone. The way meagrely paid office workers here (all thru' Asia too ) save their pennies to buy the latest trendy phone just makes me shake my head- I mean it will be old hat in 18 months, and then you have to buy a new one to keep up with the Somchai's & Wongs. Not to mention that plenty of people want to steal that trendy phone. Few would be bothered nicking mine, 'cus I just keep them until they're totally screwed, and then buy another cheapo. If I lose it, big deal.

Mothers/Fathers/Valentines day cards- Marketing gimmics with obscene mark-ups. Nothing traditional about them. These days, I don't even send birthday & Xmas cards either. And flowers on Valentines or Mums day? No way. If I miss them that much I can always call, if I want to treat someone I can take them for a meal.

Faux or surplus military gear. I've been a military officer. War ain't fun, war ain't glamorous and trying to look like Rambo sure isn't glamorous either. And if you think dressing like a soldier somehow makes you more of a 'man', try penis enlargement. Would a real soldier wander about in combat fatigues when he's off base and off duty? Only if he's a Knob.


How about yourself?

War ain't fun?????

Of course it is otherwise it wouldn't be so popular.

far from one of your better efforts gent

I like military surplus stores. Anything from Wal*Mart, Sam's Club. Gold has an ugly history just as diamonds. Anything grossly over-priced: Chuck Taylor All Stars, Levis. I'm a garage sale addict. No room here to make a list of what I've found for nearly nothing.

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

I'm a garage sale addict.

You can find some interesting stuff at garage sales & charity shops, and it's fun looking.
In the UK, the best bet is to find a Vinnies or a Salvo's in an affluent town- you can find some great stuff there.
Much more interesting than shopping in some faceless Mall.

I like army surplus stores too, but I'd only buy military fatigues if I was hunting or camping.

Nice OP, I won't buy any hello kitty stuff on principle.

I don't buy lamb on the grounds that some deviant may have had sex with the animal prior to consumption.

Brussel sprouts, because Brussels : is where the EEC commission is located.
Belgians are boring Cvnts and they taste like shit, Sprouts that is.
I have not tasted a Belgian.

My boycott list is much the same as the OP's.

I won't buy or wear any clothing, shoes or bag with designer logos on them. Just strikes me as ostentatious.

Anything that starts with "i-" ... that is i-Phone, i-Pod, i-Pad, etc. ... because they are i-Crook ........

Originally Posted by sabang

I like army surplus stores too, but I'd only buy military fatigues if I was hunting or camping.

Good way to get shot there, Sparky.

iPad, iPhone, iMac, IBook - Overpriced toys for people who value style over substance.

Starbucks - I like my coffee to have coffee in it.

McShit - A masterclass in producing crap.

Land that's valued at over 100k/rai - because nowhere in Thailand is worth more than that.

Chevy - Cos they're shite.

Harldley Ableson - See Chevy.

Beer Singha - Awful crap.

Domestic Thai flights - Overpriced, ignorant staff, old aeroplanes.

Websters Dictionary - Too many mistakes.

Pussy - I'm not old enough to have to buy it yet.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Beer Singha - Awful crap.

Then your opinion on Chang Beer is ????????? (I mean the domestic stuff, not the export variety)

Beluga caviar, just because I know where it comes from...

Originally Posted by khang

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Beer Singha - Awful crap.

Then your opinion on Chang Beer is ????????? (I mean the domestic stuff, not the export variety)

Nearly as shite, but not quite.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Pussy - I'm not old enough to have to buy it yet.

Good one

You rent then ?

Originally Posted by MtD

Land that's valued at over 100k/rai - because nowhere in Thailand is worth more than that.

So just how much land under 100K/rai have you bought then? I suppose you don't buy Maserati or Lamborgini's either for being overpriced...

Originally Posted by Sir Wilson

So just how much land under 100K/rai have you bought then?

Why would it matter to you?

Originally Posted by Sir Wilson

I suppose you don't buy Maserati or Lamborgini's either for being overpriced...

In Thailand, they're especially overpriced, but as expected from you, a dumb comparison.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Domestic Thai flights - Overpriced, ignorant staff, old aeroplanes.

So you prefer to spend 10 hours in a bus ?

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Pussy - I'm not old enough to have to buy it yet.

But you are young enough to still believe in illusions.

Originally Posted by sabang

Is there Stuff you won't buy on Principle?

My list would be pretty much the same as yours, except for the champagne - I like a nice glass on special occasions and new year etc.

Originally Posted by wefearourdespot

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Domestic Thai flights - Overpriced, ignorant staff, old aeroplanes.

So you prefer to spend 10 hours in a bus ?

No. I go with Nok or AirAsia.

Originally Posted by wefearourdespot

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Domestic Thai flights - Overpriced, ignorant staff, old aeroplanes.

So you prefer to spend 10 hours in a bus ?

No, but a train works, though. Cheap, too.

Originally Posted by wefearourdespot

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Pussy - I'm not old enough to have to buy it yet.

But you are young enough to still believe in illusions.

Nothing wrong with illusions, I buy as many as I can

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by wefearourdespot

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Domestic Thai flights - Overpriced, ignorant staff, old aeroplanes.

So you prefer to spend 10 hours in a bus ?

No. I go with Nok or AirAsia.

Ah, for Thai you meant Thai Airways ... I thought you meant every domestic flight in Thailand.