Laura, I should be the last person to give you writing advice BUT, here goes....I think if you focus on yourself and avoid phrases like, " they were hyperconsumptive", etc. and apply it to yourself, " to me, buying nothing, I felt like I was in a candy store and my eyes were popping out of my head...overwhelmed by the things/transactions that I saw.".

You are so much better at wording . If it were me, this would not offend me at all from this angle.

It is funny that people automatically feel somehow put down by our decision to this, as if we are making a moral condemnation rather than a purely, introspective experiment.Yup, a whole lot to this !!!!

I plan on stickin' with you til the end !