Oh No, It's "Black Friday"
Today marks the start of the Christmas shopping season with what retailers see as one of their busiest shopping days of the year and what many shoppers see as their best shot all year of snagging one of a handful of $400 laptops and other teaser bargains. It’s such a phenomenon, it’s been dubbed “Black Friday,” the day retailers say they expect to move from being “in the red” to being “in the black” for the first time all year.
But from where I stand, Black Friday should more accurately be called “Black and Blue Friday” as Americans across the fruited plain have been stampeding and, in many cases, fighting each other in the rush for — “seasonal bargains.” And to be honest, there are some bargains to be had. Unfortunately, most shoppers lose perspective and become part of the feeding frenzy to grab anything and everything that seems cheap. Never mind whether or not they need it - it’s a bargain!
And that’s the biggest problem I see with the whole fiasco. Shoppers scour myriad ads touting ridiculously cheap stuff — like the $400 laptop — and rush to grab one only to find that all eleven of them are already gone. But now they’re primed to get whatever bargains remain, often leaving the stores with carts filled to overflowing with crap they don’t need.
Is this what Christmas has become? Who are these people? Have they completely forgotten what Christmas is about? Have they no common decency, courtesy, manners? Were they raised in a cave by wolves?
It’s sad on so many levels I don’t know in which direction to scream first. So, like many, most I suspect, I refuse to play. Sure, I’ll probably pay a little more for some gifts, but I won’t subject myself or anyone I care about to such lunacy. These folks may get some great bargains, but they’ll show who they really are in the process. And how they were brought up. And how they lack manners. And how the real meaning of Christmas has completely eluded them.
Do retailers really need this to make their annual nut? I doubt it. Folks would still shop — even these folks — if retailers simply agreed to quit feeding this annual frenzy. But retailers won’t…
While the madness continues, I should remind you that it’s also Buy Nothing Day. What’s that, you ask? Well, about fifteen years ago, Vancouver artist Ted Dave founded a movement, now celebrated on the Friday after Thanksgiving, to protest rampant over-consumerism. Since then, the movement has spread to some sixty-five nations. Has it had a major effect? That’s debateable, but if it’s done nothing more than cause shoppers to re-examine their spending habits, it’s served its purpose.
So were you one of the many who stood in line awaiting the 4 a.m. Target and other store openings? Did you elbow your way through the herd and grab one of the prize widgets on sale for half off? And, having made the big score, did you turn around and leave? I doubt it. Like most, you probably came home with a car full of crap you don’t need. Happy holidays.
Doug
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Wow! Were did you get that picture! That is awful! Was that lady OK? That being said, I do have to admit, I did go out and do a little shopping today. But it was not until 2 p.m. and it was just over to Nordstroms to make a return. (but then I couldn't avoid buying a sweater...ooops) Anyway, Nordstroms was not busy at all but the Arden Fair parking lot was packed!! There wasn't an empty parking space anywhere to be seen. I guess they were all there for the mall shopping, because the Norstroms parking had plenty spaces left for parking. Either way, deal or no deal, at 4 a.m. you won't ever find me anywhere except in bed. :)
The photo of 73-year-old Josephine Hoffman was taken on Black Friday a couple years ago at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Broward County, Florida, as she fell to the floor amid the mad rush of shoppers. It was published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. And that sort of thing isn't as isolated as you might think. People are like a spooked herd of cattle responding to the call of the wild loss-leader.
Doug
we had a "demonstration" by the "Buy Nothing" people. not much to it and I don't think it affected anyone from shopping.
i was one of the shoppers. didn't buy much but got a couple bargains. probably didn't really need them.
I was out there. I go every year with a couple friends. It must be a girl thing. But your article made me think. I have always just rushed around and bought a bunch of bargains and then figured out later who to give them to. As you say, the spirit of Christmas is missing in the equation. So next year I won't shop this way. If there is something I know I want and can get for a bargain I may but I am making a resolution to put more thought into the gifts I buy.
Some people are just animals but I agree with you, the stores shouldn't perpetuate the frenzy like they do ("Only 50 in stock", etc). It brings out the worst in some people.
Well said, Doug. I have seen similar instances. I remember one in particular where an elderly man was pushed over in his wheelchair and para-medics had to be called. There was actually a first aid station in the mall to treat people, many of whom were simply asphyxiated.
I have planned for a few years to photograph the annual stampede. Haven't mustered up the nerve. Maybe next year.
I think I have to take the side of the "Buy Nothing" folks. I am not saying we shouldn't ever buy anything, and I don't think that is what they are saying either. But you have to admit, we do buy more than we need.
Rushing into a stampede to race for "bargains" is an example of cattle mentality. It is never the time to buy, much like shopping for groceries when you are exceptionally hungry often ends with disastrous consequences.
We all need to take stock of what we have, what we really need, and what we don't really need. It may be a super bargain, but if we don't really "need" a trampoline in our one-bedroom apartment, we should learn to walk away. Sadly, in the frenzied atmosphere of "Black Friday", too many apartment dwellers take home the trampoline.