Am I the only one disgusted by "Black Friday"?

[bakerjw]

Every year around Thanksgiving the hype begins regarding "Black Friday". Stores are now opening on Thanksgiving evening in an effort to get that extra step and it seems to get worse every year. I expect to eventually see a "Black Week" where the sales start the Monday before Thanksgiving. We now have Christmas music immediately after Halloween for crying out loud.

A few years ago a security guard was trampled to death by people charging into a Wal-Mart to buy junk. How much of the stuff that was bought that day didn't make it a year or ended up in the garbage. This year there have been shootings and a pepper spraying as part of the "Black Friday" experience. Do a Google search on the $2.00 waffle maker near riot in Arkansas and wonder why this country is in the shape that it is. There are a lot more important things in life than the material things but few seem to grasp that any more.

Just my rant for the year.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

This is part of why I don't do holidays anymore.


Rusty

 

[theoldchick]

Right there with ya! I stayed home and enjoyed my farm. My horses enjoyed apples and the chickens enjoyed fresh kale, and the dog got a slice of white bread-don't knock it-he loves white bread!

I celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday with the in-laws and learned a kinfolks' 14 year old son was forced to participate in the shopping melee only to get two ribs fractured while getting near an old lady who was snatching bath towels priced for a dollar. Security had to escort the old gal out of the store.

Happy Holidays!

 

[Clay Mudd]

Black Friday: putting Mammon back in Christmas.

 

[Spud Chicken]

I agree completely. Thanksgiving doesn’t get any respect. I heard someone refer to it as gray Thursday.

 

[SarahBeth9394]

It brings out the worst in people. I did it once. Never again. I've never been big on shopping. I even send the hubby to get groceries. I had everything bought before black friday. It just irks me when the store advertising calls it a doorbuster sale and the items that they have that are the special sale come in a very limited supply.

 

[sheaviance1]

Disgusted is a good word for it! I don't like anything about it, well, I take that back. Last Friday, I had some errands to run in town, there was very little traffic in the areas that I had to travel in because everyone was across town at the mall. I loved that

 

[flowergirl60]

I use to work at Wal-mart for 5yrs. I had to put up with that @#$% every Season. I don't even go near Wal-mart anymore this time of yr. I am going to put my money into the local small business here for gifts. Black Friday I spent at the Wildlife rescue taking a screech owl in that I found injured Thanksgiving day while on my run.

 

[Shayna]

It's very sad that it has come to this point. Black Friday is fun for those of us who like to shop and pride ourselves on the feeling that we got a good/fair deal. A couple years ago when I went, it wasn't terribly cold, and I went with a friend. We got to a store early with a great comforter sale, and we were far from the only ones. People started rummaging through and as they pulled out a size they didn't need, they'd yell it out and toss it to someone else who wanted that size. When we stood in the long checkout line, we sipped our Starbucks and chatted with other customers. Teamwork was in action, it was efficient, and people were courteous. We had similar experiences of chipper morning shoppers in other stores.
The huge chain stores, like where the trampling occurred, seem to bring out the worst in people. I have seen line cutters, people who will dive in front of you, and it's irritating. This year I didn't have the energy for it, so I stayed home.
My point is, it's not all bad, and a lot of it depends on where you go in my experience. Sometimes you see the good in people too. I am sad to see that they moved up opening times so it infringes on Thanksgiving family time.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I think it is very sad that the retailers have taken Thanksgiving away from their employees. I really think that if you opened at 6 am on Friday, you would get just as many shoppers, and your employees would get to have a real Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a unique holiday in this country. It is without political history (mostly), and has no religious background. It makes it possible for everyone to celebrate; without worrying about creed. It has a simply premise, celebrate with family and friends the things that you are thankful for. Yes, it is a harvest festival, so feasting is part of it, but the reason is thanks.

Employers are taking away their workers reasons for thankfulness. It's great to have a job, but it blows to not be able to have the day with your family. Some of the sales started here at 9 pm on Thursday.