Some Call it “Black Friday”
By
Arratik
But since I was introduced to Adbusters about eight years ago, I’ve known the day after Thanksgiving as Buy Nothing Day.
Wikipedia:
The first Buy Nothing Day was organized in Vancouver in September of 1992 “as a day for society to examine the issue of over-consumption.” In 1997, it was moved to the Friday after American Thanksgiving, which is one of the top 10 busiest shopping days in the United States. Outside of North America, Buy Nothing Day is celebrated on the following Saturday. Despite controversies, Adbusters managed to advertise Buy Nothing Day on CNN, but many other major television networks declined to air their ads. Soon, campaigns started appearing in United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, and Norway. Participation now includes more than 65 nations.
While critics of the day charge that Buy Nothing Day simply causes participants to buy the next day, Adbusters states that it “isn’t just about changing your habits for one day” but “about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste.”
I’m celebrating. Are you?
5 Comments
November 23rd, 2007 at 8:36 am
Because I worked retail for several years myself (a few of those years were spent in management, I’m ashamed to admit – but like John Cleese said during the “How to Tell a Witch” scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, “I got better…”), my reasons for a Black Friday boycott are far more personal, practical and human than political. I share your distaste for it all as well.
I will tell you one thing, though – the insight that I gained during my time in retail management was invaluable. It’s extremely easy for me to spot a scam or a psychological trick designed to screw customers over, and there are still a great number of “keywords” in my vocabulary that still prove to be very effective when dealing with store managers (who are, for the most part, down there with paramecia and amoebae, I agree), especially the really combative ones with the God complexes.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:03 am
Yes, I’m celebrating too. You know about my familiarity with Black Friday for 32 years. I have had a very good chance to observe managers and the way they deal with employees and customers alike. I have known several who seemed able to change personalities back and forth instantly like changing hats. It was also fairly consistent within the various retail chains. Some were much better than others. This led me to the conclusion that some chains must require their managers to go through “Asshole School” before being promoted.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Ahem, do I really need to? OK, I am celebrating and not just today but I am not buying anything new or non-essential until January (with the exception of beer on Thursdays DL _ but then you could argue it is essential).
Reasons: it’s the worst experience of life to go shopping on a normal day in a mall but during these days you must love being pushed and screwed
I would be arrested for I would most likely beat up the one or other parent for tracking their children around for hours (which I consider child abuse)
My mom worked in Retail and yes managers can be a pain in the ass but the abuse she had to endure form people especially during the “Christmas Season” oh I could write volumes.
Well, I raise my glass to all those who understand that consumption has nothing to do with Love-Peace-Understanding
Rate this comment:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Buy Nothing Day doesn’t go far enough.
Let’s get behind Consume Nothing Day sponsored by Progressives Against Progress.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Ah, yes! I’ve been participating in Buy Nothing Day for many years now. It is one of my greatest joys in life. And I spread the word at every opportunity and ask others to join me.
Rate this comment:
0 
0