Do you feel guilty buying imported things?
Posted by Drunk_Redneck@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 104 comments
It's a feeling that I get when I buy something imported, like that beer is good but we brew something that will satisfy the craving in the states? Does anybody else feel a slight sense of guilt when you buy imported things?
Im_a_hamburger@reddit
I wish I could spend on that.
ShiloX35@reddit
Yes if it is from Communist China.
Whhyme00@reddit
No guilt. I do think it's a shame that we don't manufacture domestically more than we do... but there's nothing I can do if an imported good is just the better choice be it for price/quality/personal preference.
RodeoBoss66@reddit
It depends on the product, of course, but I don’t know if “guilt” is the right word.
For example, I enjoy drinking Yorkshire Tea, which is imported from the UK. I don’t feel guilty about getting it, though, because although other tea brands are certainly available here in the USA, Yorkshire is a brand whose blends are unique enough and of such great quality that I’m a fan of the brand. In fact, I wish all their products were more easily available here in the United States.
On the other hand, when it comes to, say, beef, or produce, I would prefer to buy American in every case. I don’t want to buy Brazilian beef, or tomatoes from Mexico. I don’t especially have problems with those countries or anything, I just believe that for our food, we should be supporting our own farmers and ranchers.
For manufactured goods, it varies, but for the most part, while I prefer to buy American, I realize that that doesn’t always mean buying the best product overall.
kermitdafrog21@reddit
Honestly, I’m more likely to intentionally buy something foreign than intentionally buy something American. But it’s more of a “this country/store has better quality/selection than I can find here”, rather than me actively choosing to support that country (if that makes sense) But for the most part I don’t care.
UltimateAnswer42@reddit
If they actually made things here I might. Currently the choices are a Chinese/Taiwanese/etc product from a Chinese company or a Chinese/Taiwanese/etc product from an American company that costs more than may or may not be any better.
uses_for_mooses@reddit
The USA is #2 in the world in terms of total manufacturing output, trailing only China. Granted, China produces approximately 2x the manufacturing output of the USA. But the USA at #2 is still a giant manufacturer, producing ~16% of global manufacturing output.
joepierson123@reddit
Not in mass produce consumer goods though.
Turbulent_Bullfrog87@reddit
Before buying something I ask myself a list of questions. “Is it American made” is near the bottom of that list. It’s more likely to be a tiebreaker than to actually change my mind.
If American made products were always the most affordable, convenient, and well-made, then I’d probably buy them exclusively.
Grizlatron@reddit
No. I try not to buy stuff I know is Russian, but it's mostly because I dislike Russia's current policies more than any love of country. I feel worse when I notice I'm buying Nestle products.
WulfTheSaxon@reddit
I think the only Russian products I’ve ever seen in the US are vodka and generic aluminum foil.
brand_x@reddit
Yeah, Nestle can walk right off a cliff. Also 100% with you on Russia. No hesitation about buying imported, though, especially things like spices, handcrafted items... I'm much less okay with some of the things that are only available imported, from American companies, mass produced in inhumane factories. Electronics, a lot of clothing items, etc...
TheJokersChild@reddit
It matters less and less because the lines about what's "imported" are so blurred now. Subarus are made in Indiana...Buicks come from South Korea and China. Apple products are designed in California and made in China. Making everything here would be great, but cost of US labor and associated overhead affects retail pricing, so manufacturers feel pulled in both directions. But I feel a lot of people do what they can to buy US products, or at least ones that are made here.
Judgy-Introvert@reddit
Nope. I can honestly say I pay zero attention to that. When it comes to beer specifically, I actually seek out imports.
devnullopinions@reddit
No
Danibear285@reddit
LMAO no
I’m not a performative nationalist so I import cheap products on the free market
yescaman@reddit
Guilty? No.
But I do make effort to purchase American products locally.
SirTheRealist@reddit
This isn't something I think about at all.
Lostsock1995@reddit
I’m not sure I’ve ever thought about it. Maybe saw “American made!” and went “cool I guess” but I have never spared a moment into worrying if it wasn’t
Phil_ODendron@reddit
Definitely not in this economy.
WaldenFont@reddit
Lol no.
BetterRedDead@reddit
Even if buying American is important to you, it’s often more complicated than that. For example, many of the “foreign,” cars are actually built here. And many of the “American“ cars are built elsewhere.
So, first of all, you have to decide what’s more important to you: supporting an American company, or supporting American workers. And regardless of the answer, you really need to do some research, because it’s a global economy now, and it’s nowhere near that simple anymore.
tangledbysnow@reddit
Yes. I’ll give another example. I buy Korean and Japanese skincare and sunscreen. There sunscreen is a cosmetic so getting new filters approved and lighter, less greasy, skin friendly products manufactured is easy. Here in the USA sunscreen is classed as a drug so new filters need to be FDA approved. As a result we haven’t had any new ones since the 90s. Yes, technology has come a long way but no one wants to spend all that money for FDA approval. So American sunscreen remains and will continue to remain a far inferior product. WHO do you support then and why?
stiletto929@reddit
The FDA is trying to ensure products are safe, though. Buying products specifically to get around FDA safety checks would make me pretty nervous.
tangledbysnow@reddit
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/05/18/1251919831/sunscreen-effective-better-ingredients-fday
stiletto929@reddit
Thanks!!! That was very informative. What site do you buy your sunscreen at and which product do you recommend?
tangledbysnow@reddit
Honestly I haven't settled on one I love because I work in a windowless room from before sunrise to after sunset aka I don't use sunscreen very often. But Korean sunscreen products tend to be more dewy/wet and Japanese products are more matte/dry. And they formulate them to be part of a skincare routine aka buy for your skin type oily vs dry skin etc. That helps boost usage too. If it doesn't suck to put on (strong smell, texture, good for the skin, etc.) you are more likely to use it. Any of the brands listed in that article that use bemotrizinol are good. Others I have bought are CosRx, Mixsoon, Skin1004, and Dr.G. All can be good depending on your skin.
I buy most of my products from either their official stores on Amazon (there are counterfeits on Amazon but so long as it is the official store you are good) or Olive Young which is a Korean beauty company. Ulta and Sephora also carry a number of Korean products (like CosRx).
BetterRedDead@reddit
Interesting. I had no idea.
Yeah, it’s not just a matter of improving technology. Like, the example you shared aptly demonstrates that technological improvements aren’t inevitable, and won’t just happen of their own accord. There has to be demand, and there can’t be too many things in the way.
Your example reminded me of another: a big part of the reason that research into the effectiveness of natural substances in healthcare pales in comparison to pharmaceutical research and development (especially in the U.S.) is because you can’t patent a natural substance, so there’s no money to be made.
uses_for_mooses@reddit
To your point, cars.com publishes an annual American-Made Index that ranks vehicles sold in the USA based on how “American” they are, factoring in the assembly location, parts content, engine origin, transmission origin, and U.S. manufacturing workforce.
Of the top 10 most “American” vehicles for 2024: - 3 are Hondas - 2 are Toyota/Lexus - 1 VW
And only 4 are what most would consider traditional “American” brands: 3 Teslas and 1 Jeep.
BetterRedDead@reddit
I did not know that! Thanks.
Tron_1981@reddit
No
GhostOfJamesStrang@reddit
Username checks out.
ColossusOfChoads@reddit
Depends on what it is.
I heard there was a small chain of stores somewhere back east that sold only made-in-America items. My impression is that you can buy a kick-ass shovel that your great-great grandchildren will inherit, but good luck with anything that has a circuit board.
LineRex@reddit
No. The only time this type of thing comes into my decision making is between locally-owned restaurants and chains/franchises. Given the choice between Chick Fil A and Bob's Chicken, I'll take Bob's Chicken. Choice between In-n-out and Mary's Grill, I'll hit the grill. Food is almost always better anyway.
BookLuvr7@reddit
Nope. We're in a global economy, like it or not. Granted I make a lot of my own stuff these days, but you get my point.
ClockAndBells@reddit
Yep. In response, I buy less and buy better. But especially, buy less.
opalandolive@reddit
I agree, buying less is key for this.
GeorgePosada@reddit
“Buy American” has always felt like a lameass thing old people say, and I’m not that young
RoyalInsurance594@reddit
No. I love my Bosch dishwasher.
Gooble211@reddit
Guilt? No. I am annoyed when Chinesium is the only choice.
_vercingtorix_@reddit
If I'm importing, it's because it's a specialized product that's only made in that other country.
Like when I was a HEMA fencer, I bought expensive SPES jackets from poland because...only SPES made good jackets. I bought my swords from castille, though, which is in the PNW iirc (and these really are my favourite swords). Although I do have some sabres made in czechia, but that's again, simply because czechs are who made the sabres I needed.
Or like with wifi adapters. I needed an ALFA card for wifi auditing. Well, those are from taiwan. If you setup a chip factory here that makes injection capable wifi cards cheaper than the boys in taiwan, I'll buy, but no one does this, so I do not buy american because there is no american equivalent.
So like with the sorts of things I usually import intentionally, it's because I actually need that product and there isn't a domestic competitor.
Far_Silver@reddit
I try to avoid made in China to the extent possible, but other than that, no.
Confetticandi@reddit
Only when the only reason why I’m buying the foreign product is because it’s cheaper.
Like, when I know it’s worse quality and will break sooner all that but it’s a quarter of the price.
I mainly focus on buying local and shopping small.
iusedtobeyourwife@reddit
Never. Not even once.
CRO553R@reddit
Well, I can't get (real) Chianti made in the U.S. of A., so.....no.
rileyoneill@reddit
No I do not. And I consider anything made in North America to be "Domestic" as we are all part of NAFTA/USMCA now. We are a continental economy. I also do not consider it 'foreign' to buy stuff from countries we have military alliances with, Australians have joined us for every war we have had and buying Australian made goods should not be some issue.
willtag70@reddit
Zero. It's a world economy. Nearly everything is sourced globally. Besides the US is all about competition, if you can't compete on price and quality you lose.
Zama202@reddit
Depends on the product.
It can feel nice to buy a US made car, or a US made neural implant, but it’s hard to care about low ticket items like shirts or socks.
The big thing is when it comes to seafood (especially shrimp) I can only buy US or Canada. No exceptions.
brand_x@reddit
None? Even for things that are only available from, e.g. Japan, or Chile, or Argentina?
Zama202@reddit
When I travel internationally, I eat the local seafood, but when I’m at home the rules are pretty firm.
Also, most of the seafood eaten in Japan isn’t from Japanese waters.
ZonaWildcats23@reddit
Fuck no. I love my Range Rover.
TheBimpo@reddit
Not at all. It would be impossible to insist on American made for everything. Electronics would be particularly difficult.
Lugbor@reddit
Being picky about where your goods come from is for people who have the money to be selective.
Dimeburn@reddit
I feel like it’s always the lower income demographic that insists on buying “Made in USA”
foxsable@reddit
Guilt is not really a part of it. If I have a choice, I do buy the American. With electronics especially. But a lot of times there is not a choice so I buy what I can. And sometimes it is hard to tell… like Toyota is Japanese but they make a lot of them in the US, so…
notyogrannysgrandkid@reddit
My entire livelihood is dependent on importing and selling used Japanese vehicles. So no. I do not feel guilty.
Free-Veterinarian714@reddit
Not at all. In fact, I strongly prefer foreign cars. (Especially Japanese ones.)
Delicious-Ad5856@reddit
No. If I did, I wouldn't have my car nor by the stationary that I do.
wooper346@reddit
Free trade has been credited with lifting some 1 billion people worldwide out of poverty and keeps us out of wars and conflicts.
DegenerateXYZ@reddit
Why? Just bought some German import beer yesterday. They make very good classic what beer. Can't wait to have some.
Itsdanaozideshihou@reddit
Nope, that's what I love about Capitalism. You have a product i'd like that's cheaper, better quality, fit's my taste, etc. Well then i'm going to go with that over something I deem inferior for whatever reason. If an American company would like to compete with that, so be it, but then give me a reason to choose the American product over the foreign one.
Utaneus@reddit
I generally agree with you but
Well the one reason would be supporting your local/regional/national economy rather than another.
I try to support local businesses and farmers, but I do drive an Asian car.
uses_for_mooses@reddit
Your Asian car may well have been manufactured in the USA.
ShadeTreeMechanic512@reddit
…while the “American” car is built in Canada or Mexico.
Adept_Thanks_6993@reddit
No.
Eric848448@reddit
No, not at all.
HourBlueberry5833@reddit
Not even a little bit
VentusHermetis@reddit
sometimes for the emmisions and packaging, but not for it being non-american
97PG8NS@reddit
My uncle has gotten on my parents, sister and me for not buying American cars. We currently all own Japanese brand vehicles and neither of my parents has owned an American car since the 70s. Now admittedly that was not the brightest time for our auto industry but it was a period when a lot of people got turned off by poor build quality, "too big to fail" corporate indifference and a general disinterest in providing the customer what they want. And as a result, I think those buying habits trickled down to their kids.
liberletric@reddit
I go out of my way to buy certain things imported
03zx3@reddit
The only time I care is when buying classic car parts.
Guinnessron@reddit
Guilty? NO. I don’t love buying Chinese goods but they are so ingrained and inexpensive, so hard to avoid. They are not a good country to their people from what I am aware of and would prefer not to support them at all.
Fancy-Primary-2070@reddit
There are some things that just are not made here anymore. There's no guilt when I can't control it.
What I do feel guilty is if I buy from places like Dollar sore or walmart.
I try to buy from stores that treat it's employees well --- Walmart employees often need lots of social services. The purposely changed hours of employees so they'd not have to give medical or other benefits -- draining from taxpayers.
Shopping at stores like Costco and Market Basket is investing in the US just as much as manufacturing does.
BadKarma667@reddit
This is actually something I concern myself with way more. If you're a corporation making massive profits yet you've got a ridiculous percentage of your employees on government benefits, I refuse to shop there and give more money to subsidize what I'm already paying in taxes. I'll spend the couple extra dollars and buy from Costco or wherever else isn't totally trying to fuck their employees.
BadKarma667@reddit
It's not really something I think a ton about. I'm going to buy what I feel is the best value for my money. If it just so happens to be American made, that's fantastic. If not, well it's the way it goes, and better luck next time.
Inspi@reddit
I would but more stuff made here, but I'm not paying triple the price for something of drastically inferior quality.
All things being equal, I'd go American over imported to help local economies.
Equinsu-0cha@reddit
Not at all. Its fun to experience other cultures. Including my parent's.
LordofDD93@reddit
Not really. I’m more concerned with cost and quality, though if those two are equal it’d be nice to have the healthier/less unhealthy option.
GodzillaDrinks@reddit
Mostly because of the carbon emissions to ship it, really. But yes.
Or buying coffee or chocolate without checking first, so you know it was made by slave labor.
HurtsCauseItMatters@reddit
Nope. Especially since I try to focus on buying local, the fact that I do offsets any negative feeling when buying non-local in general. Besides there's no difference to me buying domestic that's 1k miles away and buying overseas.
thedailydeni@reddit
Not at all. I don't usually look at the country where things are manufactured.
TrillyMike@reddit
Nope
Tommy_Wisseau_burner@reddit
Not even a little bit
CardiologistSweet343@reddit
Never. We’ve had a worldwide economy for ages now.
davdev@reddit
Nope. Not in the slightest.
MrLongWalk@reddit
Except for hyper specific contexts, no
ayebrade69@reddit
Uh no
JoeCensored@reddit
No, but all things being equal I will buy the American product. For some things I will pay extra for the American product.
New-Number-7810@reddit
Not really, because importing foreign goods also helps the American economy. Even if a good is foreign, a lot of Americans are part of the supply chain that got it to you.
10tonheadofwetsand@reddit
As much as I hesitate to let foreigners buy things from Americans.
Zero.
Bear_necessities96@reddit
Lol this is funny
BuildNuyTheUrbanGuy@reddit
Hell no. Sounds crazy.
Shady2304@reddit
Literally never think about this.
Mysteryman64@reddit
I don't feel guilty for buying a known import. If I'm buying it, it's likely because they're doing something well or right. That's the name of the game, if they start winning a big market share, other national competitors might learn to take some cues.
What I'm far more likely to feel about imports are annoyance that a thing that I thought I was paying a premium for a good quality version of, ends up turning out to be a cheap brand swapped import model.
rhb4n8@reddit
Only when it's something I know is made with slave labor. I bought a suit off shein and felt a little bad for instance.
Saltwater_Heart@reddit
Not even a smidgen. I never think about it
Otherwise-OhWell@reddit
Not at all. I work in the transportation industry. A lot of my income is derived from moving freight around. And most of it arrives to the US in SoCal. I'd rather arrange pickup from Long Beach, CA than Fargo, ND.
Unrelated, but I'm also Toyota 4 lyfe. Sometimes things are produced better elsewhere.
revengeappendage@reddit
Never give it a single thought. I buy the things I want with the money I earn 🤷♀️
HailState17@reddit
Hell no.
omg_its_drh@reddit
No.
DOMSdeluise@reddit
no
ialwaysforget44@reddit
Nope
Suitable_Tomorrow_71@reddit
Honestly, what country something was made in is something I've never even considered. If American companies want me to buy their stuff, then they can make it better than the imported stuff. I'm not going to buy a shitty product because it was made by a company that happens to be based in the same country I was born, I'm going to buy what I actually want.
OpeningChipmunk1700@reddit
Not at all, honestly. I buy a lot of American products, especially shoes, but it’s not a driving consideration for me.