For weeks I have been getting alerts to
the big Black Friday stuff soon to be upon us. On-line, off-line,
all types of businesses. Come, buy, big sales, BIG SALES. Fun.
Fun? It holds no appeal to me whatsoever. Never has! Is there
something wrong with my inner self?
I have a grandson who was employed by
the Target stores. One year he was assigned to open the doors and he
described a horrible experience. How rude, how uncaring for others,
the throng of people outside waiting, charging forward like a growling
monster, fed by avarice.
Friends who do the Black Friday thing
tell me of sane humans snatching a desired purchase out of the hands
of someone who was able to claim it before they did. Gone was any
feeling of politeness or kindness. It all seems to be, “ I will
get what I want, in spite of all resistance----whether that resistance comes
from a store employee trying to have some semblance of order or
another customer who is seeking the same purchase.
Black is the correct color to describe
this day I think. Solid Black! Evidently the original marketers of this craze
felt it was appropriate as well. Darkness has always been associated
with the lower regions for centuries. It is associated with the
worst characteristics of the human race. Anger, greed, name calling,
meanness, cheating, etc. With all the clamor comes shouting, pushing,
shoving, in-your-face attitude. Nope, just not my style.
After the Day there are reports across
the nation of injuries, violence in the store aisles, at the cash
registers. People have even been trampled to the point of
hospitalization. What happens to the civilized mind that has been
taught rules of decent behavior?
I love people. Friends have described
me as a 'people person.' But I don't want them in crowds of
grasping, greedy, me-first, me-only quantities. To some this day is
considered fun, but not in my imagination. They make plans to be
there in the wee hours as the doors swing open and the trampling
parade rushes through the entry. Any person standing in their way may
be knocked down and stepped on. This sounds like a nightmare,
particularly in the opening hours. Later in the day, hours later,
when the prices are not so good, but still perhaps somewhat
discounted, that might have some attraction. The crowds hopefully
would have dissipated and a degree of sanity resumed.
I don't even look at the advertising,
because I know I am not going. These is not even a temptation. Enough said. I know I am not alone in
my feelings, the grocery cashier today expressed her distaste for
this same event. An instant bonding. Lol
No comments:
Post a Comment