The War on Thanksgiving

[reader99]

Something I don't think has been mentioned is that it's not always about buying unneeded crap. Some of us have very little money but there are still material things we need or could use if they were priced right. And a lot of things really are much cheaper during these sales than at nearly any other time. I could use a bed frame for one of my rental rooms. Today they are $5 at a local mattress store. I was all set to go until I saw the footnote:7 per store. My odds of getting one are too small to be worth going out in the cold on my scooter. Not all material things are useless crap. Some are necessary or useful provision and I for one am thankful that there are extreme sales so that people with less disposable income have a shot at getting them.

[Rogar]

Something I don't think has been mentioned is that it's not always about buying unneeded crap...

I agree. I am not a big shopper and refuse to fight shopping crowds, but am not above buying something on black friday if it is something I have needed and the price is good. I would probably draw the line on shopping on Thanksgiving. It just doesn't seem right.

[Tradd]

I don't like this trend at all.

The last time I did the Black Friday shopping thing was probably 15-20 years ago. When I had moved away after college, I'd go back to my hometown over the long weekend, and a friend or two and I would hit the mall at 7 am on Friday. We'd have all our shopping done by lunchtime. We'd get lunch somewhere in the mall or nearby and then go home.

Now, I just do my shopping online. I literally just did my most of my Christmas shopping! I had already chosen what I wanted for my goddaughter and her family and had it waiting in my Amazon shopping cart. Books, stationery (they're moving away), and some really nice tea. $65 after an Amazon discount code for books and some credit card reward points. I only have a few small things to get (coffee shop gift cards, some art supplies for goddaughter's younger sibs), and that's it.

I do much of my normal shopping online anyway, so doing Christmas shopping online is nothing out of the ordinary for me.

[mtnlaurel]

Let's see, am I allowed to go to a movie on Turkey Day? I cannot remember if this is ok'd by the SL thought police.

Yes, as self-elected President of this SL Thought Police thread, I allow you to go to the movie today.

I allow most Experiential Things on this day - church service, community gathering, skiing, restaurant meal, movie, the grocery store open until noon at most for last minute "oh sugar, I burnt that & have to redo".

But just wait 12 hours and go Bananas at BigLots on Black Friday!

Super Happy Thanksgiving All! I'm very grateful to have such wonderful cyber friends in my life. I learn so much from you all.

xoxoxo

[bae]

I was flabbergasted this morning, my email inbox was stuff to bursting with "Black Friday" offers from every online vendor I've ever done business with. And they keep on coming. Can't even escape the shopping insanity here.

However, the ceremonial bird is going into the oven just now, bought directly from the young lady who raised it:

[ApatheticNoMore]

Something I don't think has been mentioned is that it's not always about buying unneeded crap. Some of us have very little money but there are still material things we need or could use if they were priced right. And a lot of things really are much cheaper during these sales than at nearly any other time. I could use a bed frame for one of my rental rooms. Today they are $5 at a local mattress store. I was all set to go until I saw the footnote:7 per store. My odds of getting one are too small to be worth going out in the cold on my scooter. Not all material things are useless crap. Some are necessary or useful provision and I for one am thankful that there are extreme sales so that people with less disposable income have a shot at getting them.

no doubt true, I think for many of us black friday is just more of the poison that's already killing us, in every way. Psychologically: battling masses of people to complete my task, wait I already do that daily in my commute. Having to rush rush to get things before they're gone, wait that's like every deadline at work ever. Actual leisure and free time though, those things are in truly short supply (get them before they're gone!).

[Dhiana]

I worked all the holidays through high school and the first couple of years of college. I NEEDED the money! I was thankful for the extra hours and the premium pay. Bring on the crazy shoppers I said, many who work retail already live paycheck to paycheck. Thanksgiving is a lost day of pay for many.

Appreciating and being thankful for those around you is not a one day/year event, it is an everyday habit.

[SteveinMN]

Let's see, am I allowed to go to a movie on Turkey Day? I cannot remember if this is ok'd by the SL thought police.

If the people who serve you at the movie theater are there as voluntarily as you are, fine. Being informed summarily by one's employer that Black Friday (or, now, Thanksgiving) is an all-hands-on-deck sales event and that anyone who values your job must be there? That's just coercion. Nothing "free" about that at all.

[Alan]

That's just coercion. Nothing "free" about that at all.

Coercion? I guess I see things a little differently after spending the 70's, 80's and some of the 90's working every holiday and odd shift that came along. If I had only known I was being coerced I might have refused the duties of my position and possibly quit in protest. That would have shown them, the big bullies.

[iris lilies]

I worked all the holidays through high school and the first couple of years of college. I NEEDED the money! I was thankful for the extra hours and the premium pay. Bring on the crazy shoppers I said, many who work retail already live paycheck to paycheck. Thanksgiving is a lost day of pay for many.

Appreciating and being thankful for those around you is not a one day/year event, it is an everyday habit.

Yes, thank you.

But so many here insist that I *WILL* appreciate what I have, dammit! on the holiday for which that appreciation has been scheduled. And that appreciation takes the form of staying at home. One size fits all regardless.