Paul Revere by Cyrus Dallin, North End, Boston

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Friday, November 29, 2013

BLACK FRIDAY







Why is it called Black Friday? 

 The Philadelphia police force coined the term in the 1960s. They were referring to the same day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, which even back then saw a mass of ravenous shoppers descend upon the area. Pedestrians and motorists caused a great deal of congestion, much to the dismay of the police, which led to the “Black Friday” labelling. 

 An alternative reason relates to accounting. As would be expected, the onslaught of customers leads to a considerable hike in retailers’ revenue (over $59 billion was spent across the four-day weekend last year). It is therefore said that the period propels retailers to move “out of the red” and “into the black”. Thus, Black Friday. 

 Who gets involved? 

 Who doesn’t. According to the National Retail Federation, up to 140 million people across America will descend en masse on retailers during the weekend and, understandably, there are few shops who would be willing to miss out on such an opportunity. 





I don't understand why people act like stampeding herds of wild animals to buy a bunch of stuff made in China to give to people (who probably don't need it) on Christmas day.


"Retailers like Walmart and Macy’s open their doors as early as midnight and you literally have to avoid being trampled at certain stores." 



IMO, the Friday after Thanksgiving should be called Stampede Friday , since that's what actually happens.






I'll be happy not to participate again this year.








William Rivers Pitt at TruthOut has a good article on this.




Wal-Mart Madness:



Walmart's Black Friday Going About As Badly As You'd Expect



 

10 comments:

Infidel753 said...

Who gets involved? Who doesn't.

Not me. For as long as I can remember, I've had a rule -- stay out of stores between Thanksgiving and January 1, except in cases of dire necessity like groceries (grocery stores aren't as bad, anyway, since people don't buy groceries as Christmas presents). You can order almost anything online anyway, so why brave the stampedes and the idiots fighting over the last i-whatever?

This is one of the times I'm most glad I'm not a Christian. For those who take Christmas seriously as a Christian holiday (not that it originally was, of course), the commercialism, one-upmanship, mania for material possessions, and sheer vulgarity that have developed around it must be unbearably depressing.

Les Carpenter said...

Never did Black Friday, never will.

Whether it be free market driven or government subsidized people get more of what they want.

I love being able to opt out of Black Friday. There is something very unattractive about absurdity.

okjimm said...

I always thougt 'black friday' waS a dumb name...and I hate hate hate shopping. there were a couple of 'big box' mid-west chain stores that courageously announce they would not open early or open thanksgiving day. said, they wanted their employees to enjoy a decent holiday.

the friday after thanksgiving should be reserved for going to a matinee at the movies.

skudrunner said...

Somehow camping out overnight to save a few bucks on something I don't need doesn't have any appeal. I went once with my daughter and it didn't take long to realize, sleep was a better use of my time.

Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving / Hanukkah.

Ducky's here said...

It's been quiet this year.

News reports indicate a few riots, couple stabbings and shootings but no fatalities.

I did go to the post office to pick up a couple mailers.

okjimm said...

I do my christmas shopping the day after Labor Day.... all swimsuits and shorts are on special..... so what if that have to wait five months to wear them! and my kids really like the sweaters and gloves I give them for the fouth of July.

Shaw Kenawe said...

HuffPost headlines:

BLACK FRIDAY BEGINS – EARLY!... 2 Arrested In Walmart Parking Lot Stabbing... Fights Reportedly Break Out... Las Vegas Shopper Shot On Way Home... New Jersey Man Pepper Sprayed... PHOTO: Madness At Macy's... Staff Holding Back Shoppers... $300 Purses In Shambles... 2 Hurt After Shoplifting Call... Kmart Workers Strong-Armed...

Anonymous said...

It's absurd to say people don't give food as presents.
It's absurd to say that the Friday after Thanksgiving, should be for going to a movie.
It's absurd to say people are buying needless items. I don't think clothing, shoes, food, and other basic needs are useless.
It's absurd to say people should not take advantage on huge savings, on an item they would purchase anyways.
I guess you are all rich enough to pass on a 75% savings on a product you need and would buy anyways.
This is a chance for poor people to get needed items.
On with your elite, rich attitudes.

Shaw Kenawe said...

The facts are, Anon, that those "savings" are still there to be had even after "Black Friday."

What is absurd is watching people claw, scratch, and shove to the ground other people to be able to buy a bunch of stuff.

You're the one who brought elitism into the subject. I'm not sure it's "elitist" for people to stay home and enjoy their families over a Thanksgiving holiday weekend instead of rushing to the mall.



Dervish Sanders said...

I admit that I attended the Black Friday sale at the local Walmart (which actually started on Thursday). Purchased a few movies on bluray and some external hard drives. Although they said the sale for the movies started at 6pm and I got there shortly before that hour, the movies were gone through already and the ones I wanted were mostly gone. I did find a few others, however. There was no stampede, but I did have to stand in line to check out for almost an hour. I guess everybody else is above attending any sales on this day.