Like most Americans (except the occupiers who tried and failed to stop it), I was happy to see that Black Friday sales were up this year over last year. We, well actually you because I don’t shop on Black Friday, set a new spending record. This is a rough economy; every ray of hope that it’s getting better is a good thing.
On the other hand, we may have lost sight of the reason for the holiday season when frenzied shoppers cause near-riots and walk past, around and over a dead man on the way to saving a few bucks.
The man whose birth we allegedly celebrate at this time of year told a story about helping someone who had been beaten by thieves and left for dead on the side of the road. Now might be a good time to revisit that story. There are things in life that are far more important than getting a good deal on an iPad.
Points well taken, Bryan.
You also touch on the main reason I don’t shop in stores on Back Friday: personal attachment to my limbs, as well as concern for my health and welfare. I doubt I’d fare any better than the decedent in one of those stampedes.
the main reason i dont shop on black friday or the weekend following is i place a premium on the “pain and suffering/headache” quotient on my purchases
In the real news, tens of millions of people went shopping Friday without incident.
The spending frenzy isn’t caused by the holiday. It is caused by sales with limited quantities in stock. If walmart would have a sale on april 15 you would be lamenting the commercialization of tax day.
Notice which stores are having the difficulites, they are stores that cater to people with limited income, not stores that cater to the rich. It’s disgusting to read your sneering at poor people who have to shop during sales because of their limited means. It’s the rich who are the most materialistic, have to most luxury goods, and can buy what they want, where they want and when they want it.