Do You See Red On Black Friday??
According to http://www.blackfridayandcybermonday.com/, the definition of Black Friday reads as follows:
"Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, is historically one of the busiest retail shopping days of the year. Many consider it the "official" beginning to the holiday season. Most retailers will open very early and usually provide massive discounts on their products.
The origin of the name, Black Friday, historically comes from the retailer's shift to profitability during the holiday season. Back in the day when accounting records were kept by hand, red ink indicated financial loss while black ink indicated profit, thus coining the popular fiscal terms of being "in the red," (losing money) or "in the black" (profitable)."
For years, I worked in an office setting and Black Friday was a quiet day alone at work. I had never participated or attended the early bird sales.
When I moved to Tucson, AZ in 2000, I attended my first Black Friday, stopping at a Circuit City to grab a DVD player for $38 or something like that. I couldn't believe how the people would snatch at the boxes as the clerk was coming out of the back room with a hand-truck load. The "compassion" and "kindness" of the holidays was caught up in a kind of "blood lust" and I found it very offputting.
Last year, I got my nerve up to again brave the stormy seas of Black Friday and I chanced gathering a few family games on sale at WalMart. Whoa....I've never been in a line for 2 hours before...
So this year, Black Friday presents itself once again. I'd love to get a new artificial tree - and figure Black Friday MIGHT be the best option for something like 50% off....but I wonder...how violent do the shoppers get at Home Depot or Lowes? Are the construction workers stretched out the doors with 2 x 4 pieces? Are handypersons chomping at the bit to get a sparkling new drill and electric nail thingamigig?
How about you? Does the thrill of the hunt - the satisfaction of a good deal, out-weigh the crowds and congestion and pushiness of the shoppers? Do you like the challenge Black Friday presents? Or...have you been shopping deals all year and perhaps have your Christmas shopping completed? Does Black Friday make you see red?
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