Black Friday

I was feeling a little sappy not spending Thanksgiving with friends and/or family.  (Yes, traveling has it's pros and cons, especially when no one really knows where I'll be moment to moment.) The feeling grew as I read all of the posts from people around the country about their gatherings. Then I paused for a moment and realized how good I still have it compared to a large population of the starving, homeless, disease and war mongered world.

As the day wore on with reading how people were then complaining about their coma induced food binge - I was more than grateful to have not participated in such madness. Every year same thing! I thought about the many dinner tables that had just been full of food not even a hour ago. The mad preparation that took hours on many people's part to prepare such a feast just for it to be all over within 20-30 minutes! This is something that has amazed me ever since I was a child. Add on the complaints before and afterwards about how uncomfortable it is to get together with family for the holidays.

So how much food is wasted at the end of the day because no one ate "enough?" I wonder how many people that are literally dying for a meal would have enjoyed even the smallest portion of leftovers.

Then once dinner is over people are scrambling to decide which Black Friday sales will make them feel the luckiest. Almost like a gamble. The retailers have people right where they want them.

You know, that 99% that we've been hearing about. Unfortunately I think that number has been extremely exaggerated.

Retailers don't care if you didn't buy last week or last month, because they know the tactics that have worked for them for decades! Even when this country has been in the middle of a "recession" people still found plenty of ways to participate on Black Friday.

Here is my theory on getting people to shop on Black Friday:

1) Get people drunk on food and alcohol, make shopping sound like a party and then open the doors. These folks will stop at nothing for this big party, including camping in frigid cold air and waiting in obscenely long lines. The rest of the weekend and Monday morning they brag to their friends, family and colleagues what they "survived!" Then come January you'll hear for months on end how much credit card debt they racked up for the holidays, BUT at least they bought their kids everything they wanted. This at the expense of keeping their electric on or a roof over their head! (Yep, heard it all working at an electric company).

2) Make them feel that if they are not first in line for a cherished product being sold to the first 50 people they miss out. People have this "fear" of missing out on something. Hence why all the news and social media outlets have so many signed up for updates. People have a need to be first to know or have the latest. Have you ever read an article and in the first few comments it only shows people determining that they were "1st, 2nd or 3rd?" It took me some time to figure out what their comments meant and then I had to explain to others that had the same question. Also, let's not forget the must have "Tickle Me Elmo" craze? And where are those toys now?

3) The real idea is to get these spend thrift patrons into the stores! Once people have invested that much time and energy in getting there they don't want to leave empty handed. In fact, the psychological part continues, if you see other people buying a particular item then you must be missing out and need to buy one as well. (Doesn't matter if you really needed or wanted it to begin with.) Therefore, whether or not you received that awesome sale price, you're still going to end up spending more $$$'s before you leave so you feel better about the process you just endured.

How do I know this even though I don't participate in all of this foolishness? Because about 20 years ago I, too, thought it sounded fun. However, just two years of participation was more than enough for me. It took the whole holiday spirit right out of my sails/sales!!! Fighting for a parking space, crazy traffic, people pushing, shoving and often times grabbing items right out of another customer's hands - certainly not my idea of a good time. Let alone there being any item that is worth all that chaos.

I don't mean to sound like a bah humbug. However, I'm curious about what is truly being purchased today that is really worth all of this madness and will it matter a week after Christmas?

There comes a time when you wonder who is truly benefiting from our psychotic traditions in the way we celebrate each holiday?  I would love to see a "holiday time-out" where we all take a step back and recognize each one for it's origination, instead of allowing the continued hyped-up commercialization that so many have said they are tired of.  Thanksgiving in the eyes of the retailers seems to be more of a momentum builder than a time to show gratitude for the bountiful blessings we have each been given and wish to share with others.  The commercials now start before Halloween and go full swing until Christmas.  After Christmas there are more ads recommending you return gifts and receive what you "really wanted."

I have watched this process year after year and have decided it's time for a change.  And since "we must be the change we want to see in the world" then I am stepping forward to volunteer during each holiday with a charity group.  And when my niece is old enough I will mentor and encourage her to do the same.  If all of us or even a large percentage of our country's citizens spent at least one hour volunteering on every holiday think about the amazing leaps forward we will make in the lives around us!  Now THAT to me is what the holidays are all about!  Spreading true compassion and love!