black friday or buy nothing day?

Have you heard of Buy Nothing Day? Started a number of years ago, the event tries to make us more aware of our spending habits by refusing to consume on this particular day. Black Friday on the other hand (not held in Canada by the way), tries to encourage consumers to begin their Christmas shopping by offering big discounts. Hmmm, kind of hard to observe both at the same time, isn't it?

Having a huge anti-consumerism streak myself, I'd opt for Buy Nothing Day anytime, and admire what the organization is trying to accomplish. Having said that, I can see how Buy Nothing Day would be a bad joke, or even a slap in the face for those who literally can't afford to buy anything. Or for those who have to string several buy-nothing-days together and perhaps even stretch it out into Buy Nothing Week. Having been in that position myself at one point, I can tell you that simplicity isn't necessarily fun when it's involuntary. And of course for those people who have oodles of money to spend and waste, Buy Nothing Day probably doesn't mean anything either. But I still think this is a worthwhile event (even though there are those who argue that spending is best for the economy), and hopefully one that can help us to remember the difference between needs and wants.

So what did you end up doing today? Did you shop? Or drop out?

Comments

[Krissa]

For so many years now I have seen stories about people getting trampled on "Black Friday" and at any given big sales during Christmas time. Did you see where some poor TEMP working at Walmart outside NYC got killed by the stupid crowd yesterday? And when the announcement came on that an employee had been KILLED and everyone had to leave the store, several shoppers refused because they "had been waiting on line since yesterday". I have no idea where to begin commenting on that. You know, since living in Germany I have really found many occasions to realize that the US is not so bad. But this is a perfect example of why the rest of the world looks at us like a bunch of jerks. I know that's not true now and I also know that Americans do not have the idiot market cornered. But in this case, I can not see where it can be justified in a country that has SO MUCH for people to behave this way. It is ridiculous and those shoppers should be ashamed of themselves. They aren't, of course. The image of people who come from a land where even those considered 'poor' have a pretty high living standard trampling a person to death for a sale on toys, gadgets and other NON ESSENTIALS is sickening. It makes us look a lot worse than George W. ever could if you ask me. These are 'real' people killing another person for items that don't cost that much on a normal day at Walmart! I mean, come on! A guy died so these idiots could save a few dollars on Elmo and a flat screen tv????? You are right, "Buy Nothing Day" can be a slap in the face to those who truly can't afford to buy anything. But judging by the mayhem and bloodshed that are accepted as part of holiday shopping in the US, I doubt it'll ever get off the ground there. :( Pathetic!

[think outside the piggy bank]

Yeah, I heard about the incident and I agree that it's shameful beyond words. It also points out how rampant and dangerous consumerism can be! Not sure if it'll change anything though.

[Krissa]

It won't change a thing. It's been happening as far back as I can remember. Personally, I have never set foot in a store on that day - I hate crowds and shopping way too much to put myself through it. Did you see too that some of the shoppers are trying to sue Walmart? Give me a break. They know what to expect before they go there on that day. And their lawyers are saying that Walmart failed to provide security. Oh come on! What does that say about those SHOPPERS that Walmart would need to provide security????? It's a free for all because the shoppers make it a free for all. And they know that going in. And my guess is that is actually a thrill for them. These are the same kinds of people who would tip over a coke machine to try to get a free coke and then sue Coca Cola because they got hurt. Morons. They don't deserve a dime.

[think outside the piggy bank]

Or sue McDonalds if a hot coffee spills into their lap. Sad all around.