Black Friday

?Crowds are not my thing—they don’t work well with my claustrophobia.
 
Back in October, in Blogs #7 and #12, I shared with you my claustrophobia and some of the difficulties that come with it—specifically, my stress when flying. The truth is there are plenty more difficult environments to handle with this condition—movie theaters, concerts—anything where there are big crowds.

?Did I say enough? I bet you’ve got the picture by now. Unless they are online, Black Friday sales are not some place you will find me.
 
It’s more than my claustrophobia that keeps me away from these kinds of sales. It was a long time ago when I realized that by the end of the day, I spend more money shopping on big sales days than if I would shop off-sale.  Big sales give me the impression that everything is such a bargain—who in their right mind can leave these goods on the shelves? Not me, of course. How about you? 

Also, I’m disturbed by the way in which Black Friday sales affect the Thanksgiving holiday.
 
Years ago Black Friday offered great sales only on Friday, during the store’s regular business hours. However, because of the attractive deals, inventory would sell out quickly, often within a few hours.  Shoppers were willing to arrive before the store opened and line up to guarantee they’d get the best deals. Soon, lines formed as early as the middle of the night. Before we knew it, businesses understood the potential sales and made shopping more convenient as they extended store hours and opened their doors to the public earlier… and I mean a day earlier. First, it was 8 o’clock the evening of Thanksgiving when you could start your shopping, and next you could start your Black Friday shopping on Thanksgiving morning. Wow, if that’s not generous of the stores… Of course many people were tempted and skipped the tradition of the Thanksgiving holiday, leaving it and often some loved ones behind.
 
And so do the stores. By extending their hours, they pull employees from their families and homes as well from the tradition so that they can staff the cash registers.

Where were you yesterday? With family and friends at home, or shopping?
 
Happy holiday.
 
Michelle