Day 1: Word on the street in Germany

Jana, 24 years old, from Bremen

Jana was nice enough to do an interview with us on film however admitted at the end “I don’t even let people take my photo” – so we were lucky to get this one.

Jana sees herself as part of a global community in the sense that she's very careful about knowing the way that the brands she chooses treat their employees. She doesn't buy leather, not out of animal rights concerns, but because the treatment of the leather has toxins that poison the factory workers.

She drives a Kia, although not a lot - she often opts for public transport to get most places in the city instead. When she does take her car on trips she usually uses Mitfahrgelegenheit, the German car-sharing website. She does this both for the eco-friendly aspect of car-sharing and because she genuinely enjoys meeting new people, adding that she has met up with some ‘passengers’ again after the drive.

Jana’s opinion was that brands don’t have positive impact on society and she didn’t see a way that they could. She does her best only to buy brands that are socially conscious however adds this this is often difficult due to cost. She’s clearly conscious of her impact on the world.

Jana is an optimistic and open person looking for happiness in all areas of her life – family, friends, career and relationships.

Mum, Dad and 2.5 kids from Hamburg

Karin and Hilger live in Bremen with their two children under 6 and one on the way. They have a ground floor apartment with a small front yard where we found them playing with their two children – who proceed to pour bottles of water over one and other while we interviewed their parents.

They feel that economically they are part of a global community but aren’t socially tied in any way. They do however feel strongly tied to their local community in Bremen, they help their neighbors wherever possible and attend local fundraising events.

Hilger and his family are extremely socially conscious and try to only eat organic and biological products. They are very aware of the conditions clothing retailers put their workers under and therefore try to buy as many clothes as possible off a fair trade and organic clothing website.

Globally they feel that as individuals they cannot have an impact on the world but if mindsets of a larger audience are changed, a difference can be made. They feel that brands can help to achieve this. Primarily by treating their own employees with respect (in regards to fair wages and a safe work environment) but also through brands demonstrating to the world that they are socially conscious and trying to help with troubles in the world.



Karin and Hilger have owned four Volvos so far and now drive an XC60. Hilger takes hitchhikers whenever he sees them because he used to do it himself and remembers well both the trials and tribulations of it. Hope we meet him on the road this weekend!

-- Kim