The View from The Niagara Guide

New things in Niagara Business, Specials, Sales etc. and Other Observations

It's Black Friday - Cue the Insanity

Mark Kawabe - Friday, November 28, 2014

Black Friday Explodes!I admit it. I'm not a very good consumer.

Most of the time, I buy stuff I need. The rest of the time is buying stuff I want. I'd say I follow the 80/20 rule on that. Perhaps 90/10.

It's early morning and the media's already reporting on the "Black Friday" retail frenzy under way in North America.

I don't get it.

I mean, I understand people need stuff.

What I don't understand is why they think they need the things they buy on Black Friday.

From what I can tell, not a lot of people are running out and stocking up on essentials. It's the stuff we're told we need to buy. You know - the stuff that says "you've made it". I'll wager large screen televisions are going to be filling many shopping baskets today.

The money being spent today is "good for the economy". I believe the economy is important, but I also believe that a heavy focus on consumerism is unhealthy. I also believe we don't consider other important things like the environment or the emotional state of our population when we talk about the economy. From my perspective, everything is connected more deeply than we care to think about.

While I don't get the need for the shopping frenzies taking place all across the continent, I do see the need for many things that perhaps are going unnoticed today. There are still hungry people in our communities. People are still living in poverty, despite working full time (or more). Does the consumer frenzy notice or benefit the people in our society who need our help the most?

I don't know. What I do hope is that each person who is participating in the shopping maelstrom today takes a moment to reflect and be grateful for what they have. From that gratitude, I then hope they will take an action that benefits their community. Purchase something from a small business. Make a donation to a local charity. Buy some groceries for the food bank.

I guess I wouldn't mind Black Friday so much if it were more balanced. Go ahead and buy whatever you like, as long as you invest the same amount of money and energy into your community. I think that's what's missing from the conversation. Balance. A ton of money is invested into grooming us to be better consumers. No money is invested into grooming us to be better citizens.

Sadly, money talks, and it shows.



Niagara ergonomic supplies

Mark Kawabe - Tuesday, November 18, 2014

In my travels I meet some very interesting people who sell interesting things.

Today I met Terry Scott, President of Special Needs Computers in St. Catharines.

I was amazed at some of the cool ergonomic office technology available to help us office workers avoid the aches, pains and diseases we're susceptible to by sitting most of the day.

Watch the video about this chair, for example.

Pretty cool, eh?

Anyway, if you're interested in saving your back (or your hands, wrists, heart or brain), you might want to drop by and see Terry at Special Needs Computers. 50 Niagara St., St. Catharines.

Of course, we added a category to our business guide: Niagara Ergonomic / Assistive / Adaptive Technology Suppliers. If you know of another business that should be added here, please let us know about it. Thanks!



Why Bother If You Can't Do Gluten Free Right?

Mark Kawabe - Friday, November 14, 2014

This really bothers me. A gluten free menu that's not meant for the people who really need gluten free food.

 

WTF?

Here's why, according to the company's website.

"Note: Despite all the care that we take in the preparation of our gluten-free menu dishes, we cannot guarantee the absence of cross-contamination while handling and cooking food." (From http://www.chezcora.com/our-menu/glutenfree/misc/tastersdelight, Nov. 14, 2014)

When it comes to something as important as someone's health, why would you offer a gluten free menu in big print and then in small print admit that the food could in fact be dangerous to someone who needs a gluten free menu?

It doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps they're just being honest when other restaurants are not. Or, perhaps they're jumping on the gluten-free marketing bandwagon.

Regardless, I will not be including Cora's on our list of restaurants with gluten free options. To see our list of Niagara restaurants that do, click here.




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