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I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Eat Quickly; Clear The Table; And Shop?

I don't subscribe to the idea of shedding my humanity to get a good deal on something.  Actually, that's not stated strongly enough.  I think the idea of Black Friday is irresponsible.  Dangling "great buys" in front of people already suffering the consequences of greedy bankers, investors, and legislators in a distressed economy smacks of immorality and appeals to the worst instincts in all of us.


And the "deals" -- are they really that good?  Consumer experts tend to think not.  Oftentimes the product quality of these 'specials' is suspect; the quantity of the items is limited.  


If stores want to attract buyers, why not offer savings for the entire month before Christmas?  Would this not be more profitable?  Safer?  Create less chaos? 


Gee, I have an idea...what if we all showed some respect and reverence for Thanksgiving which has now become just a springboard for obnoxious commercials and the stampeding over other shoppers to get to those 'great' deals?  Anybody want to lead that charge?  Target?  Walmart?  Anybody?

13 comments:

Linda Reeder said...

Yes! I agree completely! I practically got trampled by people buying socks when I ventured out looking for ingredients for my fruitcake! That was one mean looking woman coming at me with her cart.
So much for thankfulness.
I do see Thanksgiving as a springboard into the holiday season, but not for shopping for "deals", but for planning and preparation, for the beginning of making and baking and doing.
Good post!

Brad said...

I couldn't agree more! The TV commercials seem designed to make you think you're missing some sort of great event. Just wait a couple weeks and we'll be hearing the news stories of how we're hurting the economy by not spending more!

Brad said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
gracejones said...

I agree Kathy. I refuse to buy anything at Thanksgiviing time. At least I can vote with my feet.
Grace

Kimberly said...

You should see the news articles and videos showing up over here. It is horrifying! I was never a big fan of black friday and it looks like it has only gotten worse.

Purple Flowers said...

Amen.

Bilbo said...

I like a good sale as much as the next person, but you couldn't pay me enough to go out into some of those awful scrums on "Black Friday." Some of these people are utter lunatics. Let's hear it for shopping online, or at times other than "Black Friday!"

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

I'm another who wouldn't be caught out trying to get a "deal"..... just not for me.

Sally Wessely said...

Well said. You covered every point well. I've never been a fan of black Friday, but I really hate to see the way the big box stores are creating the potential for such disasters.

Kay said...

I confess we got up early and went to the BX garden shop where nobody was because we went at 5:00 AM. It opened at 4:00 AM. We were in and out of there with the ladder that Art was coveting and then went home and back to bed. I really think Black Friday is for the young, muscular and determined. It's scary out there. I saw what a mad house it was at Walmart very close to here.

George said...

I'm completely with you on this. Thanksgiving used to be a time for family and giving thanks. Now it is simply a springboard for more commercials. It's sad.

Mage said...

Whaat I am amazed about is all the homeless and jobless yet they say this is going to be the best Christmas ever. I'm trying to shop used, if I can.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

I agree with you. I think stores try to make people think they have to rush in and purchase all these "must have" items.