Taking A Cue From Nature?

When we were whale watching in Newfoundland, the naturalist instructed us to "Continue watching the birds!!!"  The birds would begin the feeding frenzy, the fish would join in, the tuna, and then the whales would circle, open their mouths and get their fill. In this case, not of krill, but of mackerel.

It was magnificent to see.  Except the feeding frenzy reminded me of something....oh, yes.  The first buffet meal on any cruise we've been on.  

What is it about people who clearly have eaten before, and some more than well, when they see FREE FOOD AND LOTS OF IT!!  It's embarrassing to me. God forbid anyone should get in their way as they approach the bounty before them.  I mean, move the children and the infirm to safety!!

Yesterday, there was a health fair at our local hospital celebrating the 40 years the hospital has been in existence.  They featured booths with information, some testing services, and a table holding mini birthday cupcakes and bottles of water.  Before the exhibitors were even finished setting up, people were storming the table, taking as many cupcakes and bottles of water they could carry away.

Maybe it's something in-bred in us...but then again, not everyone behaves so greedily.

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?