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Sarah, I cant speak for all of Mexico but in my town, it used to be that accepting a used item (clothes) was an insult to the father (who is the bread winner) because he is responsible for providing for the family. This meant that fathers were supposed to be prideful even when poor and provide for their families. I grew up in a poor family, very poor and we would not have money to buy clothes all the time (rarely we were bought a shirt or a pair of pants for school). However, it was an insult to my father to accept used clothes (as a gift) for the above reason. We would shop at the cheapest stores like Kmart and Woolworths or in cheap stoires in Mexico back in the day, but never from 2nd hand stores. It had to be cheap but new. I guess, I still keep that practice. It stayed with me. However, I do think that the culture has changed. In my town, there are plenty of people at the "tiangis", same as flea market or swap meat, where people sell used clothes. It must be selling or they would not return with more used clothes.
Thanks for the insightful explanation! Now I better understand where that attitude comes from.
Yes, the "tiangis" are filled with used clothing. The one in La Penita has many vendors offering used clothes but (heard from a neighbor) I believe you are not allowed to import used clothing into Mexico! Perhaps that's just a legal extension of what you noted above?
Thanks for the insightful explanation! Now I better understand where that attitude comes from.
Yes, the "tiangis" are filled with used clothing. The one in La Penita has many vendors offering used clothes but (heard from a neighbor) I believe you are not allowed to import used clothing into Mexico! Perhaps that's just a legal extension of what you noted above?
Sorry Sarah but I really dont have an answer to that. Would it be possible that new clothe businesses would be replaced by used? This would in turn make the town unattractive? I dont know, maybe someone who understands business administration would provide us with some insight-Please?
Used clothing is an issue that can be considered "good or bad" depending on a persons viewpoint or upbringing. No country is imune.
My mother being born in Europe of a lot older generation would occasionally bring some clothes that she obtained from a neighbor for one of my children when they were very young. Right after my mother left the house the clothes very du\mped in the trash can. I never wore other peoples clothes as a only child and was dammed if any of my kids would either. My kids always had NEW clothes. I made them and I took care of them with no MACHO thing involved. When it came down to outgrown things within brothers or in sisters within the family we have a different story. It is OKAY.
Here in Baja the weekend open air mkts outside/near the local church will have many selling used clothes from where don't know.
Some church groups from Calif have in the past tried to bring some donated good/clean clothes for some of the needy?. Some had been able to bring it across without being noticed at the border and others had been pulled over into secondary inspection and compelled to pay a high DUTY TAX causing the donating to drop off. A friend here that belongs to a local American group trying to help in many things has asked if I had some clothes for a local orphanage (teenage boys) but my size is large and not small as what is needed.
So...the used thing is very prevalent and a problem. Have seen small kids at the open mkt wearing shoes and some clothes that do not fit properly in size. Lot of used shoes being tried on by women let alone small kids.
Used clothing is an issue that can be considered "good or bad" depending on a persons viewpoint or upbringing. No country is imune.
My mother being born in Europe of a lot older generation would occasionally bring some clothes that she obtained from a neighbor for one of my children when they were very young. Right after my mother left the house the clothes very du\mped in the trash can. I never wore other peoples clothes as a only child and was dammed if any of my kids would either. My kids always had NEW clothes. I made them and I took care of them with no MACHO thing involved. When it came down to outgrown things within brothers or in sisters within the family we have a different story. It is OKAY.
Here in Baja the weekend open air mkts outside/near the local church will have many selling used clothes from where don't know.
Some church groups from Calif have in the past tried to bring some donated good/clean clothes for some of the needy?. Some had been able to bring it across without being noticed at the border and others had been pulled over into secondary inspection and compelled to pay a high DUTY TAX causing the donating to drop off. A friend here that belongs to a local American group trying to help in many things has asked if I had some clothes for a local orphanage (teenage boys) but my size is large and not small as what is needed.
So...the used thing is very prevalent and a problem. Have seen small kids at the open mkt wearing shoes and some clothes that do not fit properly in size. Lot of used shoes being tried on by women let alone small kids.
Steve
As noted before, I personally believe (that after a thorough washing) it's a great form of recycling!
For countless others, I'm sure it's because of economics.. If you're poor and can't afford to buy *new*, this may well be the only available option.
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