I have a confession. I hate, loathe, and despise shopping. I especially hate shopping at this time of the year. I can't stand that Christmas starts the day after Halloween either.
Today a woman in California pepper-sprayed other shoppers, including children, to get an X-Box for sale at half price in the raee for Black Friday items. Staff from the same Walmart store reported injuries from shoppers trampling each other. And the store stayed open afterwards. Insanity.
What the heck are we doing? We're in a recession. So many are out of work and looking to save money. I understand that. However, wouldn't it be better to just downsize Christmas, focusing on time together and a special meal rather than using weapons against each other to get to the bargains first?
We're celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. You know, that Jesus that told us to turn the other cheek? The guy who said if someone asks for your cloak, to give him your tunic as well? The Lord that said that peace makers were blessed? The rabbi who suggested that you treat others as you would have them treat you? The leader who said to consider others better than yourself because ultimately the last shall be first? The one who said not to worry about what you will wear or eat? The one who said that personal possessions were all hay and stubble?
I refuse to support any more of this insanity. I don't care what bargains I get, they aren't worth being pepper sprayed or trampled to death as happened at Walmart last year. Are any of you like minded? I suggest you do, too.
This is the only kind of place that I want to shop in these days.
6 comments:
It is insanity.
There is nothing in this world that could possibly be worth this to me.
On our local news they talked to a guy who was missing Thanksgiving dinner with his children to be in line to get them all the things they want for Christmas.
As adults, would they even remember a toy - even an expensive electronic one? I highly doubt it. But I bet they all remember the Thanksgiving Day, that for some reason they can no longer remember, dad was absent.
I just don't get it.
Judy:
I'm glad someone sees it my way. I feel like the Lord was up there looking down on the shoppers saying, "Oh unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I put up with you?
I agreee, no one in that guy's family will say, "Oh remember that great Thanksgiving when Dad was a no show at dinner and we got a game boy."
Well, you know I feel as you do. Tom and I always stay home on Black Friday rather than risk the insanity and our Christmas will be more low-key than ever. And of course, the pepper spray thing and missing Thanksgiving with family were beyond absurd.
And yet? There are many people out there who adore Black Friday. I watched the interviews on the local early morning news and the people were out there having a blast taking part in what has become a happy tradition with friends and family.
So well, I, personally, can't say it should all go away. And I don't feel right saying my way of shopping (and celebrating) is better than theirs. It's just, well, different. And one thing I've learned in my 'old age'? Just because I'd rather die than do a certain thing, doesn't mean that someone else is *wrong* for doing it.
The world would be so very dull if everyone lived/shopped as I do and I would hate to take away others fun activities, especially in Today's very stressed-out world. As they say, to each his own. And it's this switch of my thinking which has helped me become a less-stressed-out person. And much calmer, with a new ability to understand others.
Just my 2 cents. You so often remind me of me! :) Blessings, Debra
Oh Debra, I have no problem with people doing things they want to do the way they want to do them. I do have a problem with knocking grandfathers to the ground with bleeding so profuse that the tv stations blurred his face out, pepper spraying, and violence. That's the part that has to end.
I agree with your sentiments. Like you, I don't understand, well I can, actually, why people have become the way they are on Black Friday. The media whips them into a feeding frenzy. I can't count the number of Black Friday "news" stories I saw, which were actually free commercials for the stores. Almost every news story implied folks would be missing out on something if they weren't out there shopping, and those folks in line and charging through the doors were often brought before the cameras for interviews, and their 10 seconds of fame.
I agree with your thoughts completely. Regardless of your beliefs, aggressive hyper-shopping is against anyone's values for celebrating the Holidays. It's just not what the season is supposed to be about, and it's a poor example for our children to follow. It's time now more than ever to "occupy the Holidays"! I'm buying local handmade gifts, making some of my own, and asking for charitable donations.
Sarah @ made in usa challenge
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