Allow me to offer my humble opinion of the commercial holiday season. First, Thanksgiving, the season of food; second, Christmas, the season of presents; and third, Shopping, the season of spending. We are quickly passing through Thanksgiving into the season of Shopping.
My brother, Brad, relates this story:
“I usually don't listen to the ads about Black Friday sales and what not. I was driving to Jacksboro one Friday after Thanksgiving and I had realized that I had to pick up a few things, but didn't really worry about it as I knew there was a Wal-Mart at Weatherford. I pulled into the parking lot and there was a line of about 600 people standing at one door. I panicked and wondered what happened that caused all these people to stand in the parking lot at 4:30 am with the temperature in the 40's. I go to the other set of doors and they are blocked off, but some guy is coming out so I sneak in before they close. I'm told 3 times by 3 different employees that it isn't "time" yet and I can't get the item (don't remember what it is). I politely tell all three that I'm just going to Sporting Goods, and not even interested in whatever it is/was that they are selling."
"I get to sporting goods to buy my ammo and rope, and find out that the great powers that be decided that Sporting Goods was the BEST place to stash this widget as it is usually the slowest department in the store on the day after Thanksgiving (wonder why that is). I have to weave through a line of portable barriers just to get into the department and then try and find someone that can unlock the ammo case so I can get my bullets. I’m still fending off rabid store employees that are sure that I'm just trying to get ahead of the mob in the parking lot. I assure them that I'm trying my best to get out of the store before the mob even enters so please unlock the case and GIVE ME MY AMMO. These days, it would have probably sounded like a threat, but then, as I was driving on to Jacksboro with my rope and box of ammo, it got real funny... Wonder why I don't shop on Friday after Thanksgiving?????”
I usually do not partake of the shopping frenzy on Friday either, but I like to keep a score card of who’s opening when. One of the malls in our area is opening at midnight on Thursday night, one chain store opens at 3, another at 4 and then the majority start at 5. I actually talked to a store employee who likes working the early a.m. shift. She gets her time in and then she’s free for the rest of the day. Not being a morning person, this does not appeal to me in the least. However, I may make the journey to the mall at midnight Thursday night to see what kind of people show up to shop. See, to me that’s not early, that’s prime time.
‘Tis the season to go shopping, fa la la la la, la la ka ching$
Happy Thankshoppingmas!
Stevie
Copyright 2009 Stevie Stevens, Fort Worth, TX All rights reserved.
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