I've always thought that expressing thanks for all that we have, followed by having the biggest shopping day of the year the very next day had a delicious irony.
I'm planning on buying nothing Friday and being thankful I don't work in retail. A retail job on Black Friday would mean: getting up extra early to set up the displays, drinking more caffeine than what a human should drink, dealing with stupid questions from my boss like, "Why are you wearing an Army helmet," and "WHY are there sandbag barriers in the store?!" And that wouldn't even be before the assault from the shoppers began.
"Some organize a so-called “zombie walk”, during which all of the participating “zombies” lurch around stores, supermarkets and shopping malls aimlessly, buying nothing, and staring ahead blankly. This is used to raise awareness about Buy Nothing Day, as the “zombies” will inevitably be asked what they are doing and why, and then can proceed to explain their point of view."
Sounds like these folks are still in the rat race. They are contributing to the traffic jams, to say the least. Here in Utah the sales may be lower because of the snow, This is the most snow this weekend probably since 1992.
That's what I do, as I've worked in retail on Black Friday so I've seen the crazies in action. Fortunately, my job is closed for a 4 day weekend, so I can relax after today's meal.
Never did like or agree with America's new religion called Black Friday. I've watched the videos and seen the news and have come to the conclusion that all who partake of it are nothing but greed-hungry ASSHOLES without a brain in their damn heads. We have anything we need to buy available every day all year long. Why the crazy stampede just to get a bunch of junk that boosts China's ecomony? Trampling people to death or pulling guns and shooting others just for a cheap toaster? What the hell have we become?
It's disgusting how much junk we buy that will end up in the ocean or landfills because it is new, better and on sale. Consume, consume, consume. It's not good.
I used to work retail. With few exceptions, nearly all the merchandise is the same stuff on display all year long. Why people go nuts for the same old, same old at roughly the same year long prices, I'll never know. It's insanity. It astounded me that we'd change the corporate floor plan around and customers thought the same stock was "new."
I had a prescription filled for my dog, bought some Nature’s Miracle for pet accidents bc it was on sale, bought cat food, and some salsa for myself. Maybe next year...
I bought a protective case for my phone and a laser printer. But I needed them! And yes, I waited for the sales. Do I get absolution if I did it in my pajamas on-line?
I did my first Black Friday this year. The local Wilco hardware store had farm clothing on sale, so I picked up some fleece lined jeans, a pair of Lacrosse insulated slip on rubber shoes, and a pair of thick socks. They had all 5 registers open and the line was quite long, but the nice warm stuff I bout was well worth it.
Went home, put on my new duds, chain sawed wood and stacked it outside in very cold weather.
Black Tithing! Get huge discounts in heaven by paying up to 50% more tithing the day after Thanksgiving! And no lines....until you die and have to wait for everyone in front of you to remember all those tokens and signs to get in!