Buy Nothing Day

Justin: I’m taking part in Buy Nothing Day this November. 

Paul: What on earth is that?  

Justin: It’s an international day of protest against consumerism. It’s celebrated in more than 60 countries! If you want to take part, you mustn’t buy anything for 24 hours. 

Paul: That doesn’t sound very difficult. Who invented the idea? 

Justin: The first Buy Nothing Day was organised in Canada, in September 1992, by an artist called Ted Dave. Nowadays, it’s in November after American Thanksgiving as everybody goes shopping before Christmas. 

Paul: So are you going to sit at home all day or what?

Justin: I think I’ll join one of the events organised against overconsumption. The Zombie walk sounds the most fun. 

Paul: Zombie walk? 

Justin: Yes! All the protesters put on zombie costumes and walk around shopping centres like the living dead! If they are asked what they are doing, they happily explain all about the protest. Other protesters publicly destroy their credit cards, but I don’t want to do anything as crazy as that. 

Paul: I’m happy to hear that. Are there any more unusual celebrations? 

Justin: Actually, there is another protest called the Wildcat General Strike. During this strike, the protesters refrain from buying anything, and they also switch off their phones, TV’s, computers. In addition, they only use public transport like buses and trams instead of their own vehicles. 

Paul: This definitely isn’t something for me. But I can join you and not buy anything for the whole day. I’ll just wait to do my shopping the next day! 

Justin: I think it’s not what the Buy Nothing Day organisers had in mind...