Hmm, Black Friday Ponderings

[Freedom]

Nothing is open Thanksgiving Day here, not permitted - that is, RI and southeastern Mass. I wouldn't go anyhow, don't believe in it.

Black Friday, I used to go out with a list of 2 or 3 things. Last few years there's nothing I need to get. I don't exchange gifts with anyone, and if I need something I get it when I need it, after searching for reviews and pricing etc. Besides, you can usually do so much better online. I do sometimes wander out after lunch, just to see the nuts! Go in a busy store and stand around looking at the people, not the merchandise. AMAZING what you see. I assume these folks are sane most of the time, I mean, they are out and about alone, right? They seem to have lost any sense of decorum, manners, etiquette, sanity!

Karen, you must be a many lists, I haven't had one Black Friday / spam message all week!

[cassiesmom]

You know what I'd do on Black Friday if I got the chance, though? Take a drive out to Montgomery to shop at Blain's Farm and Fleet. Montgomery is in the waaaay-western suburbs of Illinois right about where the 'burbs end and the country begins. The Farm and Fleet is a Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois business and I've been there one time. I'd like to go again and look at all the farm stuff. I could handle that.

[kaycountrygal]

Noooo, I will not be shopping on Thanksgiving or for several days after Tgiving. I would rather go when there are not as many people shopping even if I have to pay more for an item. I usually watch the local news where they show the parking lots and people and am so glad I'm not one of the people looking for a parking space.

[Steve Arnold]

Under no circumstances whatsoever. Thanksgiving should not be a day for recreational shopping, and the day after should be a day of leisure to enjoy friends and family. I regard Black Friday as a way for the business community to make fools of the rest of us. Midnight or 2:00 am or 5:00 am are not civilized hours for conducting business. Period.

[Karen]

Karen, you must be a many lists, I haven't had one Black Friday / spam message all week!

Remember, we have been running PetoftheDay.com since 1997, so my email addresses associated with the websites a have been in existence that long - so if there's a spam list or database out there, I'm sure to be on it. And mind you, these are only the spam I see, not the thousands that automatically go into my spam folder!

[Edwina's Secretary]

There is nothing that could tempt me. Last Sunday we went to Best Buy (great deal on a DVD player for my mother!) Next door is a sporting goods store. I commented that someone appeared to be testing a camping tent on the sidewalk. My husband corrected me...first in line for Black Friday.

Beyond disgusting!

[snakemama]

I'll be the only one I guess who says that I look forward to "Midnight Madness" at the outlet mall nearby. After dinner my mom, my sister, and a few other relatives watch a movie together and then drive about an hour to this outlet mall...the stores all have coffee and snacks out, there are shuttles to get you to and from the parking area, and everyone seems to have a blast! It's busy, but I've never come across any nastiness there. I don't even know/care if I get any particular bargains, I just look forward to the party atmosphere and extra time with my mom.

Once we're wiped out, we all go out to breakfast and then crash.

This year I'm completely out of money because of Sherpa being hospitalized, but I'll probably still tag along for the fun of it.

[krazyaboutkatz]

No,I won't be shopping on Thanksgiving or Black Friday. I needed a few things so I went to Target after work on my way home tonight so I won't need to go shopping any where during my 4 days off. I really don't even enjoy shopping normally and I hate crowds so you couldn't pay me enough to shop when there are several hundred of other crazy people fighting over sale items.

[smokey the elder]

Shopping in general: feh. Necessary evil. Black Friday is an invention of the devil.

[momcat]

I don't like shopping to start with, it's something I do to get it over with but only when I absolutely have to go. For Christmas shopping I wait about two weeks - the "early" crowds are gone and the last minute shoppers haven't hit yet. In and out is the only way to go.

[dab_20]

I personally think black Friday is just silly- waiting in line all night or even for days is ridiculous! The fact that it started on Thanksgiving this year is so sad. There's a reason it's called Black Friday so lets leave it for FRIDAY! However, this year ( just leaving as we speak), I'm hoping to find some good deals on baby items so am going shopping now at 8 am. I normally really hate crowds and long lines so we'll see how this goes :/