BLACK FRIDAY

Published in Intermountain Farm & Ranch, November 25, 2011

I don’t know why the day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. Well, actually I do know. The retail stores hope to make enough money on that day to pull them out of the “red” and have them in the “black” for the year.

But black, to me, is a negative color. Don’t we wear black at funerals? Witches are dressed in black whether on Halloween or anytime they are portrayed. Aren’t the bad guys in Western movies always wearing black hats? When somebody is feeling down, don’t they say their “mood is black?” And now on TV I saw where eating too much black licorice is being blamed for some heart problems, including high blood pressure.

Of course, my idea of starting shopping at 4 a.m. with a crowd of people is enough reason to put me in a “black” mood. I remember the first time I was in a “mob” at a sale. Boyd and I were at Utah State in Logan and there was a sale at the local Penney’s store. Can’t even remember what was on sale, but it was something I wanted and the price was one a college student could afford. AND it wasn’t at 4 a.m.. Penney’s was within walking distance of our apartment, so I walked down there and was surprised. When I arrived I must have been late, because the table where this sale item was placed was surrounded by women, two and three deep. They were shoving and grabbing and  shouting. I just stood back, watched and was appalled at what I saw. It was not a good experience, and I didn’t purchase anything. However,  I did get an eyeful and an earful of inappropriate actions and language.

I did participate in one “Black Friday” sale about 10 years ago. Again, I came home with nothing. It isn’t in me to push and shove. I just don’t need anything that bad. Maybe I’m a coward. I’d like to think that I am above that type of behavior, but I don’t really think that’s it. I don’t think I’ve ever needed or wanted anything bad enough to fight over it.

I do watch the sales in the Sunday paper and the groceries specials that come out in the Wednesday paper. I made a list just a week ago and went to a store to pick up the things I wanted to purchase. Got there too late, they were sold out of those items. Was I upset? No, I just decided to watch the sales again and try to get to the store in a more timely manner. And I didn’t have to fight traffic and other buyers at 4 a.m.

I usually shop groceries between 5 and 7 a.m. but that is totally different. I go at that time because I don’t want to fight the crowds. Most of the time the employees of the store I go to are stocking shelves, but I can work around them.  And I have met some really fun and delightful people who also love to shop at that time of the morning. Usually we take time to say “hello” and comment of mundane things. It’s almost relaxing.

So I will stay in bed this “Black Friday” and not worry about missing the wonderful sales.