Black Friday: Yea or Nay?

[smirkymonkey]

I say nay. I don't like to shop, I don't like crowds and I don't like to get up early in the morning so it's a pretty easy decision for me.

Also, I am cutting way back on gifts this year. I just can't go into more debt and I always have to use credit to shop for xmas presents. It's a total drag. I am just going to get a few simple gifts - probably online - that I can pay for in cash and that's it.

I always overdo it and always end up regretting it afterward. I think gift giving is my least favorite part of Christmas.

[msongs]

1. buy nothing day nt

[Arazi]

2. Hard no

[Delmette2.0]

3. Never have never will.

[nocoincidences]

4. I would put a gun to my head before I would venture out on Black Friday.

What a godawful experience that would be. The closest I want to get to it is watching the carnage on tv.

It's bad enough my BFF is running away from her family craziness and arriving on Friday so that I will be facing the airport nightmare to pick her up. I am thrilled she is coming with an open-ended plane ticket, but it is going to be holy hell in there, she is legally blind, it could be a disaster, or it just could be another day at the airport. Who knows?

But Black Friday? Oh never never never!!

[elleng]

5. I HATE to shop, haven't done so since ? ? ?

a few weeks ago, as I wanted useful winter pants (sweats maybe.) Went to Target and found the right thing in <15 minutes, so today, returned for a similar pair; left in frustration after 20 minutes.

THEN stopped at nearby little sandwich shop that also houses a chocolatier, ends up sell my fave, which was unavailable today, but actually met THE person who makes my fave, and will make more tomorrow, have them available then and FRIDAY, so I MAY return!!!

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!!!

[bluestarone]

6. No here also. BUT

Last edited Tue Nov 26, 2019, 09:21 PM - Edit history (1)

Should work out really good in those STAND YOUR GROUND states though! i'm sure we will read about some shootings!!

[smirkymonkey]

13. Oh god, I hope not!

I hope you are kidding.

[bluestarone]

16. Bad choice of words. i edited it

It will not surprise me at all to hear about some shootings.

[PJMcK]

7. Nope

Not a thing.

As we wrote on your other thread, (cue the music) "It's the most horrible day of the year..."

[pnwest]

8. Mostly just "meh".

[DinahMoeHum]

9. Are you fucking kidding me??

I stay away from the stores on that day.

And my Xmas shopping is local. . .I live near not one but TWO unique toy stores that have been around for DECADES. I can take my leisurely time at that.

But I gotta admit, as someone else said, it's perverse pleasure watching the mania on TV.

[2naSalit]

10. It's my tradition to just stay home the whole weekend...nt

[Ohiogal]

21. Me, too!

It takes me several days to recover from hosting Thanksgiving!

[2naSalit]

22. I totally get that!

But I am not going anywhere and nobody is coming here and I will gladly spend the day at home by myself and play with my toys (art projects) and watch the crappy weather safe in my little home. I'm glad I won't have to worry about anyone trying to get here and i don't have to worry about trying to get anywhere. Shopping requires a trip over the pass, not during bad weather and while everyone else is insane.

[tazkcmo]

30. Me too nt

[MontanaMama]

52. The weather is a shit show today.

It snowed and blew like a hurricane yesterday and all night on this side of the divide. I’m so glad to be home and warm....glad you are too.

[2naSalit]

58. Yup.

It's gratifying to have a nice, warm, safe place when the weather gets like this. After a winter in my car, I'm forever thankful I have what I have. And plenty to eat all day too!

On the east side of the divide it's cold, had wind the last three days but it's just light flurries so far. We've had about 4" total this week.

I found an old jigsaw puzzle at the thrift store last week, it's 80% done already! Only 500 pieces but it's a painting of a pair of pheasants and it only cost $1. I'll move on to water colors or something more productive later in the day.

[LakeArenal]

11. I start early.

But I really don’t mind the last minute rush. Not Black Friday tho. Closer to C Eve.

[Aquaria]

12. Not no, but hell no!

I went Black Friday shopping once. In 1981. I will never make that mistake again.

My introvert persona makes me averse to being around people as it is, but severe claustrophobia has me running from anything involving crowds. I start panicking at the very thought of them.

So I stay home and tend to enjoy a good book in peace and quiet.

[smirkymonkey]

15. I definitely get the introvert thing.

I even feel overwhelmed during normal times in shopping malls. I get an upset stomach and headaches because I just feel so claustrophobic with so many people around me. Black Friday is like that on steroids.

[klook]

14. No way no how. (nt)

[Wolf Frankula]

17. Nope

I have to work.

Wolf

[Ohiogal]

18. I would rather stick

a hot dagger in my eye than get up at 5am and go to the mall with a bunch of crazy idiots.

I hate shopping, I hate crowded stores, I hate crowded parking lots and traffic jams. We buy each of our 3 grown sons 1 or maybe 2 presents each, and usually buy them online because the kind of stuff they want is easier to find on line.

The last couple years my husband and I spent money on tickets to concerts around Christmas time we both enjoyed. He’s hard to shop for and he says the same about me (lol). Plus everything is just so darned expensive these days. I know that makes me sound like an old fogey, but that’s how I feel. So ... a big NO to Black Friday.

[smirkymonkey]

24. Totally get it.

I am starting to feel kind of "grinchy" too, but I am sick of this commercialism. Christmas has lost all it's meaning, and I don't mean in a religious way, but the spirit has gone out of it somehow. It just isn't magical anymore.

[Generic Brad]

19. I really don't do Christmas in my house

My wife and I are content with what we have and really don't want more things. All the sales fever bewilders me.

We still treat ourselves and get nice things when we want them, but we do not feel the need to tie ourselves to the seasonal shopping excitement.

[smirkymonkey]

25. Wise idea.

I think it's just a nice idea to have a good time together and forget about all the "things".

[BuffaloJackalope]

20. I've seen too many years of the retail side of Black Friday.

Fuck no.

[happybird]

86. +1

[CanonRay]

23. Major Nay

I despise the very thought

[JDC]

26. Not for me

[yellowdogintexas]

27. This is what I am doing.

https://www.facebook.com/events/602246360312511/

My friend invited me to this Facebook event and I am so happy to be a part of it.

[smirkymonkey]

28. So glad to see so many people here agree with me.

I thought I would get a huge backlash. The whole idea is just insane as far as I am concerned. I am just so done with "stuff". Cheers and Happy Holidays everyone!

[GP6971]

29. No way. n/t

[Doreen]

31. YES

About 6 years ago I said never.

Well, I have a friend who is blind and her other friend has a business that took off and can no longer do Black Friday. My friend made promise to take her so that is why I started.

Now, my confession, I have grown to like it a lot.

I have found that they actually have very good deals and it helps me get stalked up on needed things that my income makes almost impossible through the year.

[Afromania]

32. Was just talking about this with somebody at work.

Its crazy how its gone from everything closed to most things are open. I used to love walking about on holidays because it was so quiet. Now both Tday and Xmas are almost like normal days with how busy it is. Somebody needs to propose national days of rest. With two way critical workers like fire, medical and police, etc only have to work one or the other. Working both would be voluntary for the most part. I know there are places where there may not be enough staff to pull that off so working the 2 would be triple time or something.. I don't know. I'm tired and spitballing

[catbyte]

33. That's a big fat NAY. I'd rather have my teeth drilled.

[Chichiri]

34. I work for the post office.

I'll let you guess.

[TexasBushwhacker]

35. I worked in retail for 13 years

It was back in the 70s and 80s before they had "doorbuster" deals. Now? Not no, but HELL NO.

[yonder]

36. Not a chance. Never have, never will

[Ron Obvious]

37. I have too much stuff as it is

Also, the mere look of the stressed-out and depressed shoppers kills my Christmas spirit.

[csziggy]

38. The closest I get is the Small Business Saturday to buy local

And I haven't done it for years and probably won't this year.

I thought about doing Cyber Monday since I need to buy the parts for a new computer, but I haven't taken the time to go over the parts list with the guy that is going to assemble the thing so I may just wait a while.

[Blue Owl]

39. Um... NAY

[lunatica]

40. I stopped the insanity of making corporations richer

I don’t do holidays and haven’t for almost thirty years. They’re all just another day in my life. If you think about it people go into deeper debt because they feel obligated to go along with the commercialism. So corporations make a killing while consumers end up deeper in debt. And it never ends. People are guilted into buying gifts.

I think it’s OK with families who have small children. I don’t so it’s easy for me to reject the commercialism of holidays.

It all started with Mother’s Day. Jeez! Talk about guilt trips! I did the same for my birthday. I told my kid not to buy me any presents, then one day I decided to ignore all holidays.

[sarge43]

41. Nope.

Have no reason to get caught in that mob scene.

[In_The_Wind]

42. Nay!

I won't shop anywhere until next week.

[VOX]

43. Online, a bit (some good discounts). But to a mall? Good god NO!

I’ve hated crowds long before it was so commonplace. I loathe holiday shopping in stores.

There are some really good online discounts with companies who rarely offer them at any other time. (Pendleton, for example.)

I have a bit of a tough go of it this time of year, anyway— seasonal affect disorder. The shorter days really get to me, and January is the worst. The really crazy thing? I was born, raised and live in Southern California. I couldn’t exist even one more degree northward!

[sakabatou]

44. Nay

which is why my family buys stuff online

[Niagara]

45. I do all my Black Friday shopping online

No fuss, no headaches, no people to deal with.

[mnhtnbb]

46. Big no

Never have done Black Friday even when kids were little and we celebrated Christmas.

Now I don't do Christmas with family at all. My oldest doesn't celebrate Christmas at all. I usually either send cash to my youngest or offer to do something for him. I have offered to spring for tickets to a Broadway show for him because his life is all about the theatre, but he hasn't given me available dates. So the whole Christmas present thing probably won't even happen, but occur sometime next year.

I do still send holiday cards and I'll probably work on them on Friday.

[bif]

47. Never. I try not to spend one penny on this so-called Black Friday.

And we wonder why so many people around the world hate us!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

48. Not a chance.

I hate shopping any time, hate it more when the stores are busy; most of my shopping is online these days. And I don't do much Christmas any more anyhow.

[ChazII]

49. This year, yes.

My son recently was diagnosed with a brain tumor which was removed in March. I will be getting a small space heater to heat up the bathroom on the days we give him baths. In October a shunt was placed and since then his legs have lost there strength. He just started to stand for about one minute this past Monday. In the past I steered clear of stores on Thanksgiving weekend but the heater is a need.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

56. If you *need* something this could be a good day to get it.

I hope you can find the space heater you need and that your son continues to improve and recover.

[ChazII]

64. Thank you. He has the same type of tumor Sen. Kennedy

and McCain had. His in the the thalamus, right side. Even when the heat comes on in the house he still says he is cold. A good friend brought a space heater for us to use in the bathroom. We can get the room warmed up for him. Can't brush teeth and shower wearing clothing. He isn't showering yet, but we can get the shower chair out and he can sit with support for a quick cleaning. We are thankful that he insists on cleaning his private parts and washing his face.

[smirkymonkey]

75. I'm so sorry to hear that Chaz.

I actually just got a space heater from Amazon for my bathroom that works really well, so if you can wait until CyberMonday, you wouldn't have to fight through the crowds. It's a Lasko Tower Oscillating Ceramic Space Heater with a timer and remote and it was around 49.95. I can't open Amazon right now to get the exact model, but it does a nice job heating up my small bathroom and dressing room.

My apartment is kind of cold and I like it that way, except when I am bathing and getting dressed, so I really needed a space heater for these rooms. If you are interested, I can try to find the exact model for you once Amazon comes back up for me.

Again, I am so sorry to hear about your son and my thoughts are with both of you and the rest of your family.

[ChazII]

89. Smirkymonkey, thank you for your

act of kindness. A friend brought us one and it is working wonderfully.

[smirkymonkey]

90. I'm glad to hear that Chaz.

I wish you and your son all the best.

[Kali]

50. NOPE

too lazy for that shit

[rampartc]

51. nay

everyone injured in this insane ritual should have a great lawsuit against the store.

[MontanaMama]

53. No way no how.

I can’t even have thanksgiving dinner with my sister any more because she and her family start their shopping today...for real...like by 4 or 5pm and then they shop all evening, get up early Friday and hit it again. Just the thought is exhausting. I’ll save my mental energy for small business Saturday and shop local and small.

[LiberalArkie]

54. As a person with Aspergers, I don't go anywhere. I do not do well with crowds.

[Jirel]

55. It's Buy Nothing Day.

I always celebrate.

[sakabatou]

57. Nay. We do our shopping online.

[GanjaGrower]

59. Not in a million years

I really like the #OptOutside campaign. Take the Friday to do a hike or other outdoor activity with friends and family.

[smirkymonkey]

77. That's a great idea!

It's a beautiful day here too in New England, but I am traveling back to Boston. Have a great day!

[GanjaGrower]

84. Same to you!

And safe travels to one of my favorite cities!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

60. Nope.

Several years in the early 90s my sister and I went out shopping that day, because it seemed a convenient way to get Christmas shopping done. We both had little kids at the time. And that was before it got really insane.

Perhaps if you have your heart set on some particular thing that is going to be greatly discounted, it makes sense to do it. But at this point in my life I am only buying for my adult son, and I can get his present any time. And in the past I tended to do my Christmas shopping more or less all year, buying things when I saw them that I could use as Christmas gifts.

What I really do dislike about the day is that there might be something I need that day, and it's generally not worth going to a mall for it. I sort of feel confined to my house, although since I am generally happy at home, it's a minor, first world problem for me.

[gopiscrap]

61. Nay

[lark]

62. Did this one time, 25 years ago, never ever again.

First - I am not an early morning person. I only get up at 7am because that's the latest that I can get up, do my pain relief regimen, walk 40 min. with husband and dog, make light breakfast, so husband can walk and still get to work on time. Getting up at 5 for Black Friday was awful, parking was nearly impossible, the people at the stores were awful, got some really nice all brass lamps that lasted me forever and for a really good price, had to wait in line forever to purchase them, trying to get those 2 big bulky lamps out to my car was another task that was a near impossibility. I was just so done after the one store, I went home and swore I'd never do this again and indeed I haven't participated.

[Polly Hennessey]

63. No, no, no.

Not ever, never. Online shopping for me, cozy warm with a cup of coffee.

[yonder]

65. Neigh. Not a chance. Ever.

[Iggo]

66. I love crowds.

I've gone shopping on the day after Thanksgiving since I was a teenager, and I'll do it again tomorrow.

At 58 years old, I can hold my own in the dark at the edge of a Slayer mosh pit.**

Iggo vs The Mall Walkers is a walk in the park. (The lines at the register, on the other hand...yikes!)


**Slayer, for the final time, this Saturday at The Forum.

[smirkymonkey]

74. You are very brave.

Please get back to us later to let us know you made it back alive!

[Iggo]

96. Made it back from both Black Friday and Slayer's final show.

Little touch and go at the Slayer show, though.

I forgot my earplugs, so I asked one of the ushers where the medical tent was. He looked at me and decided I was having a heart attack or something. Took a few minutes to convince him I was okay.

He told me to please please PLEASE next time ask for "Guest Services."

[smirkymonkey]

97. Glad to hear it!

Congrats!

[Luciferous]

67. Nay. I don't get the whole Black Friday thing.

[LeftInTX]

68. I have to go to Bass Pro Shop tomorrow

I'm not looking forward to it, but we're going to Colorado and I need some boots. (I live in Texas and do not own winter footwear) This is a big exception to my "No Black Friday" rule. I hate the crowds etc.

We went to Dick's tonight at 6 pm. I couldn't find suitable boots at Dick's. (Dick's opened at 6 pm tonight) Dick's wasn't crowded.

[DFW]

69. Here, this is the only Black Friday I know of:

[Skittles]

71. Nay

I did make one online purchase from a small business.

[Crabby Appleton]

72. Absolutely no for me.

[MerryBlooms]

73. Nay. We fed 15 people yesterday, plus holiday decorating... I'm exhausted.

I'm staying in my pj's, cuddle up on the sofa with kitties and watch movies.

[smirkymonkey]

78. That sounds absolutely perfect to me!

I'm traveling today, but that's pretty much what I am doing the rest of the weekend, minus the kitties since I don't have any.

Will probably order in some Chinese food as well!

[jberryhill]

76. Robinson Crusoe was a big fan

[smirkymonkey]

79. Such a big fan that he converted him to Christianity.

Some favor.

[Croney]

80. I got up today at 4am, picked up the teen granddaughters at 4:30,

went to the mall, handed them my credit card, and sat down with fresh coffee, to wait in peace. Big crowds. Girls spent reasonably, on clothes they needed, and I dropped them home at 7am.

Backstory: I'm 75 years old; I grew up so poor that a new pair of jeans would have made my Christmas but I usually got socks. I remind my grandkids to be generous and kind. I, myself, am generous to charities and my liberal causes.

Am I reliving my childhood through them? Yep, it's like the ending of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. So much better than real life.

[smirkymonkey]

81. That was very nice of you!

Not only giving them your credit card, but getting up at 4am for them! I don't know if I have ever loved anybody that much! I am

Anyway, it sounds like you and the girls enjoyed yourselves, so I am glad you all had a good time!

[Croney]

83. Thank you! When they can drive, they won't need me, so

I'm taking precious moments where I can.

[walkingman]

82. No way. Not into the marketing ploy.

[Cartoonist]

85. I like the idea of saying no

My local pot dispensary has a deal that when you buy a one gram vape cartridge, you get a second one for $4.25.

I went there at noon and it wasn't crowded.

[MissMillie]

87. I love Steely Dan!

But you wouldn't get me near a store for anything in the world today.

[LeftInTX]

88. Hubby hauled me over to Bass Pro Shops

It took me 2 hours to decide on some ugly camo boots.......I've got bad feet with peripheral neuropathy. (Women's size 10. They had them in a wide)
It was so hot in there!

Afterward, we stopped at Academy and I also bought some of those foam snowboots. (Women's size 12!!! I am only 5 feet tall and my feet measure at a size 6)

Buy the time we got to Academy the store was pretty much empty. Bass Pro Shops wasn't too crowded. It was a headache to constantly locate a clerk to bring boots up from the back.

Nothing really fits my feet right. But I have to keep my feet warm in Colorado. I grew up in Wisconsin. I would buy insulated boots from the Army Surplus. They never kept my toes warm.

[Laffy Kat]

91. Nyet. We don't really do gifts anymore.

We will adopt a young family within the next week and buy for them. The only thing on my end I'm thinking about: my Crockpot finally bit the dust and I'm considering replacing it with one of those Instapot thingys. That's IF I can find a Black Friday to Cyber Monday good deal. Any suggestions? Is it true you can make perfect rice in FOUR minutes?

[hunter]

92. I think Christmas shopping should be a felony, just as buying cannabis is in some places.

Let the War on Christmas begin!

[LuckyCharms]

93. No!

I think this Black Friday madness is insane.

[love_katz]

94. Nay.

I celebrate But Nothing Day. I am loving reading all the replies to your post here. Great reading, often quite funny. It cheers me up to read how many people don't go into debt or get bogged down with excessive consumption at the winter holidays. Gift giving is traditional, nothing wrong with it. Perhaps we can see it as an early antidote to Seasonal Affective disorder. But, regarding over the top consumption, and the accompanying violence at the stores, I say: Resist!

[Harker]

95. I thought Bruce Dern and Marthe Keller

were terrific.

[hurl]

98. Not for me

Never ever wanted anything to do with it... As an introvert, the very idea is almost paralyzing. New GF absolutely loves the whole experience though. She goes for bargains all night... She shopped into the night Thursday through early Friday AM and was jazzed at what she got for the money.

Part of it is that she hasn't ever had much money, so saving serious coin carries much more real-life impact for her, and she relishes making the most of it.

Luckily, she is fine going without me. I did go with for a few returns afterward, and even that was more than I would handle otherwise. But maybe she will convert me...