Is It For Real

I could understand how other countries look at us with disgust. We have an entire day (that is spreading to a holiday) devoted to shopping and getting deals. The same event that was so unorganized a few years back that people were trampled upon because of crowds. The fucked up part about that is, here is a person dying on the ground and no one really gave 2 shits, they just continued to shop for deals and fight amongst themselves. Black Friday has always been around since I can remember, but I don't remember it ruining Thanksgiving. Now that I'm an adult, it's more of a spectators sport to watch as these people claw and scratch their way to the front of 2 hour lines with the "amazing" deals they just had to have the day after stuffing themselves. Oh wait, I forgot, this year it starts on Thanksgiving. Just like last year, the employees are getting hosed, however I remember having to work on the holidays for many years so I don't feel too bad for them. We all have jobs and I'm fortunate enough to have one now that allows me to enjoy the holidays. Last year, I worked at least 2 holidays when I was in finance, but now I'm in HR, which will be closed. What is even better is that I get Black Friday off so the bear and I can enjoy our tradition of going to Starbucks and getting our peppermint mochas and wonder around the mall watching the hoards of people shop shop shop. I can understand the whole making the customer happy, but why ruin Thanksgiving? Instead of blaming the retail establishments, why not take a look at the demanding people who made this possible by saying "Oh I wish I could leave my family and shop at 8pm on Thanksgiving evening." Really???? You'd rather shop than spend another moment listening to the same old stories, and the trickery of leaving the clean up to the kids. Although we may seem selfish and what not, I'm still glad to be an American, so the opinions of other countries don't bother me. It's just who we are, and as the years go by we aren't going to change anytime soon.