"I Like What It Says About Me"

Late last year there was a run on some crummy "hemp" shopping bags in New York. On the outside of the bag was written some crummy slogan like "This ain't no plastic bag".

They sold like hot cakes. When the purchasers were asked why they bought them, the most popular response was "I like what it says about me."

I really couldn't figure out that response until today. I just got to chapter 2 of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and Mr. Carnegie was pointing out peoples need to feel important. A real A-HA moment for me.

I recognize that participating in forums such as this one gives me a feeling of importance.

What I'm asking here is this. Can an individual recognize, categorize, and then change what he/she feels are the things which make them feel important?

Cheers!

Tim Thach

[Ankesh]

"We buy what we buy to remind ourselves – and tell the world around us – who we are." – Roy H. Williams

What I'm asking here is this. Can an individual recognize, categorize, and then change what he/she feels are the things which make them feel important?

Short answer: yes.

Thats what has actually led to the rise of minimalistic living. People realizing that they don't need to buy things to make them feel good. And that actually owning fewer things leads to peace of mind.

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Tim Thach

Late last year there was a run on some crummy "hemp" shopping bags in New York. On the outside of the bag was written some crummy slogan like "This ain't no plastic bag".

They sold like hot cakes. When the purchasers were asked why they bought them, the most popular response was "I like what it says about me."

I really couldn't figure out that response until today. I just got to chapter 2 of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and Mr. Carnegie was pointing out peoples need to feel important. A real A-HA moment for me.

I recognize that participating in forums such as this one gives me a feeling of importance.

What I'm asking here is this. Can an individual recognize, categorize, and then change what he/she feels are the things which make them feel important?

Hi Tim,

I have to agree with Ankesh, the answer is Yes!

You can change what makes you feel important, and I'd say people do change this throughout the course of their lives...

You can change pretty much anything about your own psychology, I'd say. Though that doesn't mean it's always easy to do...

Back to the hemp shopping bags, I thought it was very interesting! Many people would buy the hemp shopping bags (without a slogan) for that reason, because it bolsters their identity as someone who is perhaps "environmentally-conscious", and maybe a little non-mainstream and "alternative". Then, the slogan, "This ain't no plastic bag", just bolsters that message much more strongly - leading to more sales!

Many people buy things to boost a particular self-identity. For example, people don't buy sports cars because they need to travel on the road really, really quickly. They buy sports cars because of the image that it gives them (their own self-image, and the image they want to convey to others). The same goes for name-brand clothing too! And many other things...

Here's another example of this that I found kind of wacky... Fake libraries of antique books!

They sell antique-looking leatherbound books - by the foot or by the yard! You can't even read them, since they're not in English!

But... they look great on the shelves! These books are purely about impressing other people...



http://www.boingboing.net/2008/05/28...ome-decor.html
http://www.bookdecor.com

Cheers,

Dien

Dien,

Thanks for the "bolster their identity" thing.

While that may be true - they buy to Bolster Their Identity - have you thought WHO they are bolstering it for?

Sad fact is, Many people do things not for themselves - but - for how they think it will make other people think of them. For other people.

The bag thing is interesting...

=> Some will buy so in their head... others will think well of them for being Environmentally Conscious.

=> Some will buy them because they are Stronger than plastic bags and less chance of the bag spilling the contents onto the ground.

=> Some will buy them because it partly hides the contents of their shopping so others in the shopping center cannot see what they bought.

=> Some will buy because they are fed up dealing with plastic bags at home - which trash can do they go in, is there a recycle thing at the supermarket where they can be dropped back off.

=> Some will Not buy because of the hassle of taking a bag with you and the hassle of filling it at the checkout - dang takes too long.

=> Some will Not buy because of who makes them - if they know a certain Green Group makes them and they don't support that group, they don't buy them - but - will use an empty pillow case as an alternative.

=> And some will buy them because they have no choice - stores like Bunnings and Aldi do not Give you bags. Bring your own or buy one from the store. And those stores are Packed with people.

Now to Tim's question...

Can an individual recognize, categorize, and then change what he/she feels are the things which make them feel important?

Yes. Providing, They are the ones that want to do it and it isn't being done For other people or Because of other people.

For example... you subscribe to the idea of driving around in a 3 mile to the gallon v8 with baby seal seat-covers sucking down Pounder Burgers that come in non-biodegradable Styrofoam containers. But then you meet a lovely girl who is a tree hugging animal loving vegan who Suggests you should change your ways.

Now you're doing it For someone else. There is Internal Resistance there. Misery is created.

It has to be For you for Your Own Reasons - not for how you Think others will think of you.

Michael Ross

Great idea...

We've Talked about all kinds of innovative Green business ideas in the SowPub archives...

Brainstorm... Research and Bag yourself a Unique idea...

Just Google plastic bags and other related keywords in Google News...

And you'll be surprised how it gets you Thinking...

Take Advantage of all the PR going around on the topic and Use the Media to Profit...

Newsworthy Press Releases gets you Great publicity... And the other Green stuff adds up Nicely in your bank account too...

Unlimited ideas... Think Green Advertising Slogans and Unique Walking Advertising for Smart retailers and businesses...

Excellent resource and business model to consider Using as a research tool and more...

1 - 30 of 11,800 Designs
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/environment/-/c_745

Just Make your customers "Happy" and keep them Talking about your Great Green Bags...

Phil