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You are here: Home News Dutch News Dutch cities stage non-shopping day

29/11/2008Dutch cities stage non-shopping day

At least seven Dutch cities are observing the international non-shopping day today.

29 November 2008

THE NETHERLANDS – Cities such as Utrecht, Maastricht and Tilburg want to encourage consumers to spend less and enjoy other activities. 

Local organisers are offering a range of alternative entertainment including street theatre, free hugs, a barter market and other forms of leisure. 

They are also suggesting ideas for non-material presents such as cooking lessons or house cleaning. The first non-shopping day was staged in Canada in 1992.

[Radio Netherlands / Expatica]


2 reactions to this article

historytechdoc posted: 01-12-2008 | 2:49 PM

Working couples, especially families with young children, need more shopping days not fewer to buy food and clothing for their kids. This is really the worst suggestion that I have read in a long time!
Oh, by the way, the world economy is now in a crisis state and most governments are thinking about a temporary lowering of their VATs, etc. to encourage more consumer spending not less. Consumer spending provides funds for goods and services so people can continue to be employed.

We already have many more weeks of free time than most countries and 25% now do not have enough money to meet their bill payments. All this in a land where most folks don't want to work more than 3 days a week. We keep this up and the Dutch economy will lapse into a state where all workers will have 24/7 to hug away all they want.

So please Expatica, think through such ideas first so that you can balance this report with the very serious downside of this suggestion.

historytechdoc posted: 01-12-2008 | 2:49 PM

Working couples, especially families with young children, need more shopping days not fewer to buy food and clothing for their kids. This is really the worst suggestion that I have read in a long time!
Oh, by the way, the world economy is now in a crisis state and most governments are thinking about a temporary lowering of their VATs, etc. to encourage more consumer spending not less. Consumer spending provides funds for goods and services so people can continue to be employed.

We already have many more weeks of free time than most countries and 25% now do not have enough money to meet their bill payments. All this in a land where most folks don't want to work more than 3 days a week. We keep this up and the Dutch economy will lapse into a state where all workers will have 24/7 to hug away all they want.

So please Expatica, think through such ideas first so that you can balance this report with the very serious downside of this suggestion.

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