Our friend Hugh sums up my own feelings about the ‘Black Friday Mania’ that for many defines the day after Thanksgiving, when some people I know stay up all night and actually spend hours in the cold waiting outside the doors of a store, simply to be the first to get that “whatchamacallit” that’s on sale (though the retailer and manufacturer are still making money from it). Thanks, Hugh, for this timely piece!
It’s time for my annual “Black Friday” rant. If only those with ears could hear!!
I have posted this piece before, but in light of the fact that we now have a mega-holiday that a character in one of the comics I enjoy calls “Hallothanksmas,” and given also that advertisers are now calling November “Black Friday Month,” it seems especially appropriate since we are about to see the ugly face of commodified Christmas close-up once again. The more things change the more they stay the same! I have added a few pithy comments to this version.
The headline read “Woman pepper sprays other Black Friday shoppers.” In an effort to have a better chance to get at the cheap electronics Walmart was using as a lure to get shoppers into their stores this holiday season, a woman pepper sprayed about 20 customers who were in her way. Except for the…
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MAD magazine, back in the 1950/60s. A satire on the large discount stores. A reporter is being shown around by the owner. On one panel the tannoy system blares out ‘Shoppers, there is a sale on empty cardboard boxes’ on the next panel the two characters are being trampled by a crowd dashing towards the sale, the owner (not worried by being trampled) says ‘There’s something about announcing a sale over a tannoy…’
Things haven’t changed have they?
In our house of late, the common refrain from my spouse is ‘This (Bad word) Black Friday!
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No, my friend, not much at all. It seems so easy to convince people that they simply MUST have the latest whatever, and also to convince them that they’re getting it at a steal. I seem immune to marketing ploys, for they only annoy me. I’m with Sheila on that!
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Save up now for greater savings for next year’s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veeblefetze
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all I can say is Happy Thanksgiving!
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And to you also, my friend!!!
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Many thanks for the boost, my friend. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving — and avoid the stores on Friday!!
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I will definitely NOT be in any store on Friday! The Friday after Thanksgiving is MY day to do whatever I wish, which usually consists of a good book and a nap or two! 😉
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Gotta say… Black Friday Events probably exacerbate the breakdown of climate and the environment. People go mad for products they don’t need, wouldn’t buy if they weren’t on sale, and probably give them as gifts to people who don’t need (or want) them either! What a crock! Also, special cheap products are made for such events… poorly paid labour somewhere. 😒
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We have certainly become a very materialistic society, haven’t we? I saw an advertisement tonight for a “shower t.v.”, that is waterproof and made to be mounted in the shower! For only $500+. Now, who cannot manage a 10-minute shower without watching television??? Sigh.
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Thanks for sharing!!.. I ventured out on one of those Black Fridays, never again!!.. it takes the “civil” out of civilized!!.. 🙂
You and your family have a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving and may the day, and every day, be filled with love and happiness!!.. 🙂
Until we meet again..
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
(Irish Saying)
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I agree with you there! Shopping on the best of days is stressful enough, but to shop on Black Friday is to take your life into your hands! Thanks Dutch! We will be sharing Thanksgiving with our friends, Syrian refugees who just obtained their U.S. citizenship last month! And, it’s also my granddaughter’s birthday, so rather a triple celebration. And a Happy Thanksgiving to you!
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What makes me grind my teeth are the stores open on Thanksgiving Day for “Black Friday.” Those store employees should be home with their families.
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I agree 100%! It annoys me that our local grocery store opens on Thanksgiving Day. If I have forgotten something, then fine, I’ll do without it and the world won’t end! If people refused to go out shopping on that day, they would stop opening, but … sigh … people seem to like to shop. Personally, I hate it!
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