Dear EC members, Rys' article "Petroleum-free World" gave me the idea to post something.
The following story, I found on the internet and think it is worth publishing it here.
It is a post in German language and I translated it.
Just have a look:
The cashier at the cash register of a supermarket instructs an old woman, who takes a plastic bag for her shopping, that she should bring her shopping bag with her next shopping because plastic bags are bad for the environment.
"You're right," the old lady apologizes, "but unfortunately, I was in a hurry, and contrary to my habit, forgot my shopping bag at home."
The young woman replies: "Yes, but do you know? Our problem is that your generation has not given any thought to the poor condition in which the environment leaves us and future generations. Environmental protection is certainly a foreign word for you ".
"That's right," replies the old woman. "Our generation didn't know about environmental protection - it wasn't necessary, because we returned sparkling water and beer bottles to the shop where we bought them. From there they went to the manufacturer. The bottles had been washed, sterilized, and refilled. So each bottle could be used countless times.
We picked up the milk from the milk dealer in our own milk can...But you are right, we didn't know about environmental protection.
We used shopping nets for our vegetable purchases and our shopping bags for remaining purchases. If we had forgotten them, the dealer packed the shopping into brown paper bags, which we continued to use at home for many purposes, e.g. to pack the school books that the school has provided us with free of charge on condition that we treat them well. After the end of the school year, they collected the books to used them again in the next year if they were in good condition. But...you are right...we didn't know about environmental protection.
We climbed stairs because there were no elevators or escalators like today in every department store or office building. We walked a few steps to the nearest grocery store and didn't use a 300 HP SUV. You're right, we didn't know about environmental protection.
Back then we washed the baby diapers because there were no disposable diapers. We didn't dry the laundry in a power-hungry dryer, but with wind and solar energy on the hemp clothesline. The clothes of the children always went to younger siblings, because we couldn't always afford new clothes. But...you are right...we didn't know about environmental protection.
We had a single radio in the house and later a small television with a handkerchief screen. There were no electrical machines in the kitchen. Everything was cut, grated, peeled by hand. We used old newspapers, not styrofoam or plastic bubbles as cushioning material for parcels or parcels. The lawnmower was pushed by hand, made no noise, and no stench. That was our fitness training, which is why we didn't need gyms with electric treadmills and other energy-consuming nonsense. But...you are right...we didn't know about environmental protection.
We drank the water from the tap and didn't need a plastic cup or bottle. Our empty fountain pens were refilled with ink instead of buying new ones. Paper was written on both sides. Blunt razor blades were replaced and a new razor was not immediately bought. But...you are right...we didn't know about environmental protection.
At that time, our children went by bus, tram, bike, or walked to school. There was no 24-hour taxi service from the mother (by car). But we didn't know about environmental protection.
There was a power outlet in each room and no power strips for countless power guzzlers, and we didn't need a system controlled from a satellite 35,000 kilometers away to find the nearest takeaway. However, we did not know about environmental protection.
But think about it:
Is it sad when the young generation complains about how lavishly we old people lived just because we didn't know about environmental protection?
And you? Do you really think we old people need a lesson from a girl who can't even give me the change without asking the electronic till?
Have a good time…and don't forget about environmental protection!"
For your attention, I'm not accusing anyone of anything.
Everyone should look at their own actions and mistakes... Old and young... equally... everyone should not waste their time blaming each other.
Finding a way to make it better instead of blaming each other ... that is the task and the solution.
Comments
Guten tag Rose Iris, is it possible to say that the old days are better than this era? Nice and interesting topic. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Dara.
I will not say that the old days were better than the current ones. As for me...the current time is always the best.
Every time has its own charm. We should appreciate it.
Wow! When I was reading this, I imagined the whole situation. You could draw the life during old days, and how they lived simply without harming the environment. Thank you for sharing us this story.
You know what, my parents taught me how to live like they did, and how to deal as if I have no washing machine or kitchen machine. I used to use cotton diapers as they are healthy to my babies. I use hummer to grain whole spices. I don't have dryer, yet sun and wind are my friends.
The matter is not being poor or rich. Its a matter of awareness. I totally agree with you, and I read the inner massage between lines.
Thank you🌹
Thanks, Miss. Hadeel.
Hi, Rose, you're not going to like this. ;-)
I like to answer this post, but to be clear, it will be a completely inner-German answer. Because many countries haven't participated in our (and many other industrial nations) exploitative way of life, or are even the victims of that.
But let me first analyze this post, the translated story of an unknown person.
- It starts with a request to do something in order to protect the environment.
- The old woman agrees with that, but explains why today she is acting differently.
- Now the cashier makes a general accusation about the behavior of the preceding generations.
- The old woman defends herself by explaining why she thinks that this is not true.
- In the end the old woman is accusing the young cashier of being incapable to do simple math. Which is also a prejudice.
I've thought hard if I should answer this post at all. - Germany is a small country, and not many people know much about our history except maybe Nazi-Germany.
All the defenses would only apply if that woman lived in East Germany or GDR. Which was a state that existed between 1949 and 1990. It had not only a completely different politcal system, but also a different state of industrial development and "lifestyle". But she didn't mention that, nor implies it anywhwere, by telling that they were waiting 10 years for a car. Or that simply there wasn't much to buy in the stores. Also that they had to be inventive repairing things by themselves or finding building materials for needed repairs on their houses. The lack of goods was the reason for living differently. I won't go any deeper with that. And sadly that part of Germany adopted the West German lifestyle after the German reunification in 1990.
If that person lived in West Germany she might have Alzheimer's, since already in the seventies all of that was history. Or she is someone who lived a life which was totally different to the majority. But then she would have agreed with that accusation. Or she was simply lying, and denying it for her own state of feeling innocent and a good person... Which is a habit that older people have as much as young people. Why do you think so many old people still claim they didn't know about concentration camps or that all of this is a lie? Yeah, I know it's a totally different topic. But people don't tell always the truth, especially when they feel guilty, or have something to hide. They won't admit that to a stranger or their own family!
Besides, we demaged our nature in the last century in 100 addtional ways. Like river regulations, industrial wastewater, coal power plants, air traffic, etc.
When we talk on the political level about the legacy (and threat to this planet) that the preceding generations are leaving for all the following generations, then we are talking about nuclear energy! The radioactive waste remains potentially hazardous to living organisms for the next 1000-100.000 years at least. Simple accidents and earthquakes might cause "minor" incidents like the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents. But time and/or war/wars are more dangerous than any accident could be right now. Greetings!
Hi, NotAClue.
First of all ... why do you suppose that I wouldn't like this?
I have not said that I agree with the statements of the post I published.
If you had read my comment carefully, below the translated post, you would have noticed that.
I will not comment on the chatter about East and West Germany. I'm sorry, but it has nothing to do with the story, the plot could have been set also in other countries.
I am also not willing to discuss old mutual prejudices, assumptions, and statements. Most of them are based only on hearsay and not on personal experience.
The next point, I really don't know why you had to mention Nazi-Germany and the concentration camps in the context of the story.
Yes, that is a different topic, and yes, it is one of the darkest chapters of German history, but it is out of place and even inappropriate in the context of this post.
By the way, you wrote: "it's a completely inner-German answer"...it isn't it at all, because you have published it here.
I completely agree with you when you say: many countries haven't participated in our (and many other industrial nations) exploitative way of life, or are even the victims of that.
That's the truth and a shame, indeed! It's not only that but the industrial nations require also these countries to implement environmental protection requirements without implementing them themselves.
I also underline your analysis of the translated story at the beginning of your comment...and even more, the statements of the last paragraphs that start by
Besides, we damaged our nature......
>>>First of all ... why do you suppose that I wouldn't like this?<<<
Well, your answer confirms me that. And that you're arguing that most of my points are not relevant to this post.
>>>If you had read my comment carefully, below the translated post, you would have noticed that.<<<
I did. But I don't share your view!
>>>I will not comment on the chatter about East and West Germany. I'm sorry, but it has nothing to do with the story, the plot could have been set also in other countries.<<<
It could, but you wrote it was a German post. Otherwise people from other countries need to check if those points are applicable.
>>>I am also not willing to discuss old mutual prejudices, assumptions, and statements. Most of them are based only on hearsay and not on personal experience.<<<
Please name some of my "old mutual prejudices, assumptions, and statements." how you call it, so that can I understand what you mean. You can write me that in private if you like.
>>>The next point, I really don't know why you had to mention Nazi-Germany and the concentration camps in the context of the story.
Yes, that is a different topic, and yes, it is one of the darkest chapters of German history, but it is out of place and even inappropriate in the context of this post.<<<
This is your opinion, not mine. For me it's about the conflict between generations, and whether old people are always telling the truth. By the way, my father was one of these people denying the Holocaust... just for your information.
>>>By the way, you wrote: "it's a completely inner-German answer"...it isn't it at all, because you have published it here.<<<
I named it so because all of my statements have only to do with the situation in Germany.
Ladies , Gentlemen..please reach to the conclusion..Who is responsible from such events ?...Are we , as the citizens of our countries or the Goverments of our Countries ?...NotAClue , Congratulation , you've analized everythings , so you've entered from Nazi-Germany and went out from Ukraine , good job .
Oi there, folks
I do totally agree with NotAClue that all genertions [past, present and eventually future ones] did/do/will do their best to pollute our mother planet and make life for their brethrens as miserable as possibly possible - yet, as the saying goes, da coin has two sides, no? What I had in mind is that even with all the potential hazards to leaving organism presented by the radioactive waste of nuclear energy, there still is a faintly positive side as well... after Chernobyl puffed up all that radioactive cloud into the atmsphere, I, as an ardid mushroompicker, had my mushroom picking made easier...I could go and pick mushrooms at midnight as some of them glowed in the dark! :-)
I don't know whether what I worte is of any value to the above mentioned issue or not, but I just had an irresistible desire to chip in my tuppence.
thank you for this meaningful story, when I was reading it l felt like I am old and lived with the old generation.
No one can deny the gaps between generations. but by communication and respect we can preserve and protect the enviroment.
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