Convenience

Convenience

Convenience is anything that is intended to save resources (time, energy) or frustration. A convenience store at a petrol station, for example, sells items that have nothing to do with gasoline/petrol, but it saves the consumer from having to go to a grocery store. "Convenience" is a very relative term and its meaning tends to change over time. What was once a convenience (eg. an automobile) is today regarded as a normal part of life. Likewise today's luxuries may be perceived in the same way in the future.

Some have criticized Western culture, particularly American culture, for its reliance on such conveniences and the Eastern culture, particularly the Middle East for its lack of conveniences. The Amish (such as the Pennsylvania Dutch) shun all modern conveniences, including electricity.

Some conveniences can also sometimes turn out to be nuisances, including personal computers (can be difficult to use, though this is improving gradually) and mobile phones (with annoying rings and conversations in what would or should be a quiet place). Conveniences also cost time and money to fix when they break down, and may cause much greater costs if something else that depends on them cannot take place. On the other hand, conveniences such as direct deposit can save everyone money, though this may or may not be passed along to the consumer.

See also



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  • convenience — con‧ve‧ni‧ence [kənˈviːniəns] adjective convenience foods/​meals/​goods food products that are made and packed in a way that makes them very quick and easy to use: • the growth in sales of frozen convenience meals see also flag of convenience * * …   Financial and business terms

  • Convenience — (engl.: Bequemlichkeit, Komfort) bezeichnet: Convenience Food, arbeitserleichternde Essenszutaten oder Fertiggerichte Convenience goods, Verbrauchsgüter, Waren des täglichen Bedarfs; siehe Konsumgut Convenience store, Laden für Waren des… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • convenience — ► NOUN 1) freedom from effort or difficulty. 2) a useful or helpful device or situation. 3) Brit. a public toilet. ● at one s convenience Cf. ↑at one s convenience ● at one s earliest convenience Cf. ↑ …   English terms dictionary

  • Convenience — Con*ven ience (?; 106), Conveniency Con*ven ien*cy, n. [L. convenientia agreement, fitness. See {Convenient}.] 1. The state or quality of being convenient; fitness or suitableness, as of place, time, etc.; propriety. [1913 Webster] Let s further… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • convenience — [n1] availability, usefulness; useful thing accessibility, accessory, accommodation, advancement, advantage, agreeableness, aid, amenity, appliance, appropriateness, assistance, avail, benefit, comfort, comforts, contribution, cooperation,… …   New thesaurus

  • convenience — [kən vēn′yən sē] n. pl. conveniencies [kən vēn′yəns] n. [ME < L convenientia < convenire,CONVENE] 1. the quality of being convenient; fitness or serviceability 2. personal well being; comfort 3. a condition personally favorable or suitable; …   English World dictionary

  • convenience — index accommodate, advantage, appliance, benefit (betterment), easement, expedience, expedient, oppo …   Law dictionary

  • convenience — (n.) late 14c., agreement, conformity, from L. convenientia meeting together, agreement, harmony, from conveniens, prp. of convenire (see CONVENE (Cf. convene)). Meaning suitable, adapted to existing conditions is from c.1600; that of personally… …   Etymology dictionary

  • convenience — noun 1 being useful/easy/suitable ADJECTIVE ▪ great ▪ added, additional, extra ▪ All our chalets include a microwave for extra convenience. ▪ administrative …   Collocations dictionary

  • convenience — con|ve|ni|ence [kənˈvi:niəns] n 1.) [U] the quality of being suitable or useful for a particular purpose, especially by making something easier or saving you time ▪ Ready meals sell well because of their convenience. the convenience of doing sth… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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