“Black Friday” Becomes More of an Abomination Every Year

[warren]

When I was a copper there were two days I really enjoyed, other than military pay day, Black Friday and the first heavy snow. It was all very entertaining, one thing after another on both the pay day and Black Friday.
The first snow was always fun as it seems that people always have to relearn how to drive on the slick stuff. Guys in 4wds were always good for a laugh. 4wd may help you get started but the operators have to relearn that 4wd has no impact on stopping. The look on a driver's face as they slowly did a 360 while sailing down gentle incline with the brakes locked was always good for a laugh. Fie on the inventor of the ABS system!
Black Friday was really just getting started towards the end of my career. I found it interesting the way advertising drove the masses. If something was identified as the most popular for kids, every parent was at the toy store trying to score one. It was as though they would be judged failures as parents if their kid was not a proud owner of the toy on Christmas Day. Fist fights and the brandishing of weapons always made for an interesting shift.
Now days I never venture out on Black Friday. I'm sure it's still interesting to observe, but I'd still get the urge to wade into the mini-riots and I'm now way too old for that battle.

 

[latbomber]

I always think its hilarious that people spend 24/48+ camping out for a "deal" when if they had just worked during that time they would have earned more money anyway...

 

[sfsteves]

I thought that perhaps the "Black Friday" thing had run it's course after hearing my shopaholic daughter-in-law say that she wasn't going to go out shopping on Friday ... apparently there are plenty of others who're more than willing to pick up the slack she left in the marketplace.

 

[vigil]

This year the number of days between Thanksgiving and Christmas is significantly shorter due to the way the days land on the calendar. The economy is tighter than ever. And I'm not even going to go into looming economic pressures that everyone with a brain sees coming next year.
Toss in retailers and manufacturers who's businesses rely on the season for their entire success or failure, and, customers who believe that only the "bargain" is important. Now, there's a formula for mayhem.
I avoid it all. Went with Momma and the kids to a couple local small shops that had 'open house' events instead of sales. Had lunch at a local diner. Got out our 1958 aluminum tree and put it up in the dining room. Then planned a walk in the woods for tomorrow afternoon where we harvest our living room tree every year ( and plant a replacement tree that we'll harvest in 8 to 10 yrs).
That leaves today for some cookie baking, taking my son to visit with two of his Merit Badge counselors, and that's how we avoid the mayhem.

 

[mrjerke]

Nothing says Christmas spirit like fighting someone over a $99 TV. And there's no sign of it getting any better...

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I've never gone Black Friday shopping. I almost always stay in and watch a hockey game or some college football. I'm not getting shot by some nutcase who wants my already discounted T.V. for free.

 

[johnnyiii]

I'm afraid to even go to wallmart for my mason jars. To much madness for me.

 

[olewaylon]

outrageous

 

[hobie1dog]

The blind, mindless, brainwashed Sheeple reveal their ignorance...again.

 

[brian64]

I’ve posted this before, but imo, it merits posting here. This outstanding BBC documentary addresses the history and many fundamental truths necessary to understand the modern era of mass manipulation of society via the subconscious.
EDIT: The first 8 minutes lay the important groundwork...at appx. the 8 min. mark it begins to get into the real pertinent info to the topic at hand.
http://vimeo.com/61857758

 

[judcole]

The retailers could tone this down if they wanted to,but it would cost them money, so they don't.

 

[warren]

While I no longer venture out on "Black Friday" I do so appreciate those who do. My retirement fund is heavily dependent on people using lots of petroleum products, spending many monies in some of the country's larger malls, and the like. So, while I now keep away from the madness myself, I encourage everyone else to mortgage the farm and spend like they are millionaires on Black Friday.
Put it off no longer! Spend what you can and then dig a little deeper and spend even more. Personal debt is very American! As the Police and Fire Department Retirement Fund has a shrinking membership, the increased growth of monies means an increase in my stipend. So . . . all of you "bah humbugs" get out there, dig deep and spend, spend, spend! Remember, the reason it's referred to as "Black Friday" as this is the date that, traditionally, retail stores began to show a profit, after taxes, salaries, benefits and etc. were all deducted for the year. Eleven months of paying the bills for one month of profits.
I'd take it as a personal favor if all of you went out and spent much more than you can reasonably afford. Perhaps a loan is called for. Rest assured that anything you spend that a portion of finds its way into my retirement plan will be deeply appreciated.

 

[brian64]

@Warren: lol...You are to be commended for your frankness and honesty.

Remember, the reason it's referred to as "Black Friday" as this is the date that, traditionally, retail stores began to show a profit, after taxes, salaries, benefits and etc. were all deducted for the year.

That would indeed be the surface meaning of the name. The deeper, occult (hidden) meaning, imo, is a Satanic Ritual Holiday for the Money Changers.

 

[cigrmaster]

What people do not realize is that most stores have a few items as a loss leader and then jack prices higher than they would at the rest of the year. My youngest son did not want to believe me and he went to a Nike outlet store on Black Friday during the day only to find the prices were obscene. A pair of Nike gym shorts were 30.00 and those can be had on sale at other times of the year for 18.00. People really get ripped off if they do not know prices and just assume they are getting a good deal. My ex wife dragged me shopping one time on a Black Friday and after seeing the prices, I told her never again.
People who fight over a piece of merchandise are only showing the world what kind of sub human they are.

 

[timely]

+1 hobie1dog.

Never have shopped on that day and never will.

Plus some of those gals scare the heck out of me.!!!!

 

[sjb3]

I can't believe that this kind of violence would happen in the city of brotherly love. Absolutely Shocking! :roll:

 

[warren]

The "mom and pops" are doing what is necessary to turn a profit and enjoy the fruits of their labors. The big stores are trying to turn a profit for the shareholders, many of which are you, if you have a retirement plan.
I never begrudge an American company a profit, some of which goes into my pocket, some to hire more employees, expand operations, up-grade facilities, etc. It's one thing to withdraw from the "Black Friday" madness and quite another to debase those who are trying to stretch a dollar in tight times or, may simply enjoy the "thrill of the hunt."
It's very presumptuous to impugn everyone who goes out and does battle on "Black Friday."

 

[brian64]

@Warren: I have to respectfully disagree. IMO, anyone going out to “do battle on black Friday” is in a very low state of consciousness. To me at least, it all has mostly to do with the bigger picture in our society...of Black Friday symbolizing our transformation from producers to consumers...from a manufacturing economy to a “service” economy. And the crass materialism and commercialization of everything.
And, imo, we should all be asking why nearly all retail business is in such a condition that they have to make all of their profit in the “Christmas season” in order to survive. We’ve come to accept this as normal, and now even have a “holiday” named after it, as though it’s always been that way.
Again, I would point to the BBC documentary above...if nothing else, everyone should watch the first 20 to 30 mins. But the whole thing is well worth watching.

 

[ghost]

Can you imagine if they rolled out a skid of Stonehaven? Chaos I tells ya...

 

[brian64]

@ghost: LOL...actually, nothing would happen. Because there would likely not be a single pipe smoker in the mob.