Black Friday
Last Friday was a day unlike any other. I stumbled out of bed at the ungodly hour of 5 a.m., grabbed my little sister, got in the car, and drove, with half the female population, towards a shopaholic's mecca: the mall. It was only my third year observing this holiday, Black Friday, and I paid my dues to the shopping gods as I battled for parking spaces, scanned racks and shelves for the best sales, and stood in lines for hours. I did it right this time, and bought gifts for friends and family, not presents for myself. Luckily, there were no fights with other women over who gets the last toaster, no lost children, and nobody telling me there was nothing left on my debit card. All in all, a successful trip. I was home by 10:30, and had two hours to sleep before any of my friends would even think about dragging themselves out of bed.
It's an interesting ritual to observe. The day after we talk about all that we are blessed with, we go and squander crazy amounts of money in short time periods. It is the "official" start to the holiday season, apparent in the unending Christmas music, long line to see Santa, and the special gift items that are enough to make one gag. Capitalism is in full effect. It is not necessarily the day when the most money is made by businesses (that is usually the day or Saturday before Christmas), but it is the day when the largest volume of customers flock to the stores. This may be a helpful boost to our economy, which has been continuously assaulted by terrorist attacks, wars, and natural disasters. Some people view the day as proof that consumer companies are becoming too powerful and influential for their own good. These people can be found huddled inside their houses on the day after Thanksgiving, a holiday they call "Buy Nothing Day." Either way, it is a ritual for people. Some take it more seriously than others, lining up outside the stores early, after a night of strategizing with friends. Some just enjoy the five-dollar deals, and the wonderful feeling that comes with knowing that the Christmas shopping is done.
It's an interesting ritual to observe. The day after we talk about all that we are blessed with, we go and squander crazy amounts of money in short time periods. It is the "official" start to the holiday season, apparent in the unending Christmas music, long line to see Santa, and the special gift items that are enough to make one gag. Capitalism is in full effect. It is not necessarily the day when the most money is made by businesses (that is usually the day or Saturday before Christmas), but it is the day when the largest volume of customers flock to the stores. This may be a helpful boost to our economy, which has been continuously assaulted by terrorist attacks, wars, and natural disasters. Some people view the day as proof that consumer companies are becoming too powerful and influential for their own good. These people can be found huddled inside their houses on the day after Thanksgiving, a holiday they call "Buy Nothing Day." Either way, it is a ritual for people. Some take it more seriously than others, lining up outside the stores early, after a night of strategizing with friends. Some just enjoy the five-dollar deals, and the wonderful feeling that comes with knowing that the Christmas shopping is done.
1 Comments:
One of the major buy nothing day advocates is Rev. Billy. There is a major story on him on the Revealer. Be sure to check it out.
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