The irony of Black Friday

 Thanksgiving is all about giving and being with your family, but the second the clock strikes midnight the calendar changes into the most chaotic shopping day of the year. I think it is hypocritical to have that after being thankful for everything you have, then the following day be rushing into the retail stores trying to get the best deals. I understand that Black Friday is the kickoff of the Christmas shopping season, but it seems like strange timing. If I didn't know any better I would think the real beginning of the Christmas shopping season is the first day of November. Black Friday seems to make normal people revert into their animal instinct to buy cheap products. According to a Yahoo! Report by Robert Jablon, in 2011 a woman pepper sprayed a crowd of shoppers to increase her chances of buying a new Xbox 360. She injured 20 people in this incident. According to report from FoxNews, in 2008 Black Friday had claimed its first life. A 34 year old Wal Mart employee was trampled by over 200 shoppers. Nassau County police spokesman Lt. Michael Fleming said the crowd was out of control and it was utter chaos.

Black Friday participation to buy goods for the holidays is great, but don't start risking people's life for a product. I could not imagine trying to harm a person to get a product. I love to go out and buy new products, but I wouldn't try to buy it in this chaotic fashion. That's why I choose not to participate in Black Friday. I enjoy shopping on my own time and not being rushed by a mob of people. One of my biggest pet peeves, when shopping is standing in line for long periods of time and having to worry about competing for a product with several other individuals. I feel like Black Friday brings out every person inner-athlete and we get to see old ladies fight over a pair of socks because it is half off.

The biggest irony of Black Friday is people are trampling each to buy things, the day after being thankful for what they already have. I feel like whomever created Black Friday was looking for a cheap laugh as they created this retail holiday. Most American have spent the previous day stuffing their face with turkey and enjoying some adult beverages. My theory as to why people are very aggressive on Black Friday is that they are either hungover or sick of dealing with their “dysfunctional” family. These individuals take it out on the other shoppers as they are already irritated and need to take it out on the other shoppers. It's a pretty far-fetched theory, but it's was my stream of consciousness for why people are that aggressive the day after Thanksgiving.