Black Friday

I went by a store the other evening and there were people camped out in front of it with lawn chairs and sleeping bags on the ground. It surprised me to see this and it also presented a real truth about our society and how priorities make little sense some times. 

These people were lined up hoping to purchase an item at the store that was just coming on the market. People could and would live without the items this store sold. What possesses people to go to such lengths to buy these items?  For some it is the plan to purchase cheap and resell for a profit. For others it is the drive to purchase an ultimate holiday gift with the hope of achieving love, acceptance, or to make someone happy. One has to ask--is it worth it to stay out in the cold, rain and wind overnight just to make this purchase?  Is the person who receives it going to see the sacrifice and efforts you put into it?  Is it even going to matter? Probably not. 

It is no surprise that people call the Friday after Thanksgiving "Black Friday"...People are wild in the stores. They are goal driven and plan to achieve their mission at any cost.  Lines are usually long and shoppers have no care for others.  I remember many years ago when special dolls came out on the market.  I happened to be with a few friends planning to shop for one of these dolls.  It was my first and last attempt to shop on "Black Friday".  That year, people were in a craze by the time the doors opened. When they did, people shoved themselves through the doors and had no regard for anyone but themselves.  In fact, shoppers fought over gifts like little children themselves. Windows were broken, displays dismantled and people injured just so they could get their hands on these dolls.  I was so disgusted with the entire performance I lost my desire to shop all together and walked out of the store.  There is nothing in any store that is so important as to make behaving like foolish children an acceptable thing.  I for one will remained home this year!