Why didn’t I just say, “No thank you?” It was nice that the doctor gave each of my kids a plastic sports bottle, but I knew as he was offering them that we’re not keeping these. Why did I not speak up? Would it have been rude to say no? Do these advertisement bottles really work to get new clients in?
I went through all of the mental gymnastics and it all pointed to the fact that I won’t use these and neither will my kids. Thoughts swimming around in my head…
- I don’t need more stuff. I have enough sports bottles.
- I’m not a fan of advertising on my stuff.
- How do I know these don’t have BPA in them?
- Braces are expensive! Give me a discount and keep the bottles.
- If I take these and keep them, I have to get rid of 2 things.
- They’re just not attractive.
- Mental image: bottles in the recycling bin
Am I the only one who even considers not taking the plastic crap that comes to us in situations like this?
McDonald’s toys. I despise them.
Ha! Yes, I’ve made my kids give those back when they know they’re not going to use them. If they open the toy, I make them come up with 3 good uses for it and ask them every day for a week how much they’ve played with it. Point made. :)
Definitely not wrong BUT I think to further the impact we need to offer alternatives. They want to get there advertising out-I support that, it’s part of the business process. So if not a plastic sport bottle with their logo, then what are realistic alternatives? I would love to have a flyer (on recycled paper :)) that talked briefly about the impact of the bottles and then offered several alternatives with links to people, companies that could help them.
I am so new to this way if thinking that I know things can change but have little or no idea how to communicate realistic solutions. And I think realistic, easy and inexpensive are key to getting businesses and people to buy in.
One thing I’m teaching my kids is that their opinion counts in their actions. It’s like spam. If people respond to spam, people will send the spam. If I take the plastic crap, I’m basically saying this is good and I like it. If I decline, I’m saying I don’t need this or want this. If enough people do that type of “voting” for what they believe in, it will make a difference. :) Good thoughts Anita!