Sunday Reflection—On Advertising
Relentless, that’s what it is.
It’s tiring.
Not the unpacking of boxes.
Not the high temperatures or humidity.
Not the temporary household chaos.
It’s the never-ending bombardment of unwanted information.
After years in Ireland, I had forgotten, and have once again become unaccustomed to, the unceasing flow of advertising, junk mail, one-time-only offers and choices that are part of ‘normal’ life in America. It does my head in.
Which internet service will we choose?
Which banking options do we want?
Which level of milk fat will we drink?
Which mayonnaise will we consume?
Glad we’ve continued our television-opt-out plan, or we’d also have the ‘which of the 500 channels should we watch?’ conundrum.
I’m sure that after a few months, I too will become impervious to the continual bombardment—and that’s sad, I think. To ‘de-sensitize to survive’ might also block out more pleasant sensorial pursuits…like something else I had forgotten about life in America.
The spectacular sunsets.
There are some different services that can help you to take care of the unwanted mail. My husband and I just signed up at http://www.greendimes.com. They reduce your junk mail for (I think) $15 a year, and then they plant a tree instead. You can even choose which catalogs to let through.
13 Jul 2008 at 1:51 pm
Never having lived abroad, I wasn’t aware that the world over didn’t deal with this same aggravation. It can be overwhelming at times. One of my biggest pet peeves (peaves?) is shopping for over the counter medications. There are about a million different kinds on the shelves. I never know what to buy. I am tempted to just shut my eyes and grab something, you know?
13 Jul 2008 at 3:25 pm
Oh, and I realize my comment didn’t really reflect on advertising, but just the fact that we have TOO MANY CHOICES.
13 Jul 2008 at 3:26 pm
It is so overwhelming at times just to sort through all of the uninvited junk that comes into our house with the mail. I’d add telemarketers to that list of annoyances we shouldn’t have to put up with.
It’s neat that you’ve kept with the “no T.V.” choice. I still toy with the idea of getting rid of ours, but I just can’t quite do it. My kids don’t watch it that often. I’m not bragging though since they do spend way too much time on the computer…kind of like their mother:)
14 Jul 2008 at 1:25 am
the sunsets are lovely. as are many things about living here. but it is a challenge to live simply. the amount of choices can be overwhelming. have fun.
14 Jul 2008 at 2:16 am
sigh. . . .
feeling for - and with - you, here! I keep finding myself saying things like “I might need that . . . . one day” before I shake myself and get a grip.
It’s a constant challenge.
Thank you for the reminder of the lovely alternative ‘lovelies’! Yep, the sunsets [and rises] are a constant amazement.
14 Jul 2008 at 9:48 am
I sometimes find myself shutting down and shutting out due to “over-stimulation”. I noticed this syndrome when my grandsons were younger, and couldn’t block out all the things coming at them. Now I see it in myself. I unplug the phone, I turn off the TV, I take a bike ride or just close the curtains, whatever it takes!!
14 Jul 2008 at 11:55 am
I frequently feel totally paralysed by choices and decision making. I have to will myself to just take deep breathes, put on blinkers and choose, darn it.
I love reading your blog and am enjoying this next stage of seeing America through your eyes. Those sunsets are incredible.
14 Jul 2008 at 2:33 pm