Black Friday

I don’t get it…I really don’t.

I understand the significance of the name Black Friday. There are a few different theories on where the “black” in the name Black Friday came from but the one that is most well-known is that of businesses making a profit or being “in the black” on their ledger books. Understanding the meaning of the name does not make me want to participate.

 

 

I am not a lover of shopping to begin with so the thought of a stampede of people sounds absolutely dreadful. I am the kind of shopper that makes a list, knows what I am looking for and I get in and out of stores as quickly as possible. Oh, except at grocery stores. I am like a kid in a candy store at grocery stores. I love looking at labels and investigating new products. The healthy food section can suck me in for an hour, easily. Sorry, I got off-topic. I remember too many reports of crazed shoppers to want to risk being anywhere near stores today. Living only minutes from the U.S.- Canadian border, there is always a bit of a whirlwind of excitement when Black Friday is approaching. We are bombarded by American ads announcing their fabulous sales. I say, “no thank you”. Every year after Black Friday we hear of those unfortunate people who get caught up in the insanity. Like the man who was trampled to death or the woman who brought her pepper spray. All for the sake of things. So sad. Consumerism at its worst.

 

 

Courtesy of Yahoo Images

 

 

Last week my son asked me if I would go “over the river” and get him something he wants at a Black Friday sale because it is so much cheaper than here in Canada. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic my response was,  “You would send me, your loving mother, into a pit of insanity for a thing? I could be crushed to death!” I may have over-reacted just a titch. Stopped the wanting in its tracks though. Mission complete. The other upside to this is that he revealed an idea for a Christmas gift. Oh, I’m so wily.

 

 

The thought of humanity getting so wrapped up in things is rather unsettling. Yes, I like nice things too but I’m not about to fight for my spot in a crowd or grab rudely.  I plan to wait a few days, saunter into local businesses without the panic of pushy shoppers surrounding me and enjoy the process of finding something special for those I would like to give a gift to over the Holidays. And, truth be told, a few gifts for myself as well.

 

 

 

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”   – Dwight D. Eisenhower

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