When Farm Boss heard the story of the employee who was trampled to death in New York, he said it was no surprise to him. He had experienced a black Friday sale in 1964. He still remembers it vividly.It was not long after we got married, and I wasn't feeling well. A department store downtown was having excellent sales. Those were the years when we didn't have much money and a sale was a big temptation. He had a class downtown anyway and offered to go with a list of things I might want.
He was a much smaller man back in those days. Still 6'1", but slim and boyish in build. He waited in line with no clue what was about to happen when the doors opened. After all, around him were just women, much shorter women than he, but they were something he was not-- experienced and ready to do whatever was required to get to the sale items first.
When the door opened, he was propelled forward into a metal merchandise rack and flattened against it as if by a force of nature. Those women who had seemed like civilized people became something totally different with the opening of the door which apparently led to a shift in their consciousness into predators with prey in sight. Nothing and nobody, certainly not a 21 year old boy was about to stand in their way.
He came home that day with some things he had bought, a much wiser and more experienced man. From then on, even though today he'd be a much harder man to propel forward, the very possibility of a Black Friday sale has led to a lot of things he has to do to be anywhere but in front of a store door when it opens.
The tragedy in New York, worker trampled to death by shoppers, can be repeated around the world whenever people get into a mob mentality. It happens at sporting events, at rock concerts and at sales. Why stores have such sales is all about profit and creating that mob mentality for the first ones through the door getting the best prizes.
I had had a minor experience like it, on a much lesser scale when I was in high school. A girlfriend of mine had a mother who offered to take us both to the big ritzy department store in downtown Portland for a series of charm lessons-- each one intended to teach girls how to dress, walk, and use make up. It was taught by tall, beautiful, models who the store employed at that time for the occasional runway shows.
The last day they had some samples to give out, make up or something like that. Charm went out the window as the girls lunged forward for their share of the spoils. I wasn't inclined to do that even then although I sure didn't come from a family with money to buy such things; but I stood back listening to the models react in horror to the obvious failure of the classes in teaching poise development. If I recall, they stopped the rush and proceeded to add a lecture on how to behave like ladies when there were bargains (or freebies) to be had.
I am not a person fond of sales and never go to big ones. I am not willing to elbow anybody out of the way for a bargain. Fighting the crowds is simply not worth it to me even if there was no risk of being thrown to the ground. I'd rather have less clothing and buy it when I am ready to do so.
It's too bad some store doesn't mark everything the lowest price possible, skip sales, and keep it there until end of season sales which make some sense at least. That, however, would defeat the mania they are feeling they need. I would personally prefer to shop where prices were always as low as possible and who has quit re-tagging them through the season. Wouldn't that actually lead to lower overall costs? I wonder how many people feel like I do and instead of sales hysteria, have sales paranoia.
9 comments:
Agree totally. I have never participated in these insane sales. I remember when the last couple of Harry Potter books came out. I pre-ordered mine months in advance. The clerk joyfully told me that the store was having a midnight opening so everyone could come out and get the books the very moment they were legally available. She seemed surprised when I passed telling her I could wait for a more civilized hour and a smaller crowd. I can't think of a single thing that would be worth getting into line at midnight for a 4 a.m. opening. If more people thought like we do the stores would have no incentive to stage these spectacles. The Romans had circuses--we have sales.
I'd rather drink poison that fight mobs. I'm still trying to figure out what Wal-Mart had that was worth getting up at 4 AM and risking life and limb.
I don't like to shop under the best circumstances and there's absolutely nothing I want badly enough to go to a sale -- big or little. The few times I've even been near one in a mall were enough more than enough to convince me that nothing was worth being a part of or anywhere near such bunch of total materialistic idiots.
There is no way that I am going to get in line or go to a 4am opening sale. I would much rather pay full price at a more reasonable hour.
Now my step daughter would dress up with her friends and go stand in line for a midnight Harry Potter book, but that was more about being with friends and having fun than standing in line.
At first I was thinking that if farm boss had on his hip then, what he has on his hip in the photo, he wouldn't have had that problem. But that already happened down at a Toys R Us in Palm Desert, where two gang members shot each other in the store. I have been staying in Palm Desert for work a few times this summer and fall. It does not seem like a place where people would be carrying guns in a toy store. But I guess those scum are everyone now days. Heck an NFL player shot himself at a nightclub in New York last week and they have some of the strictest gun laws in the country.
Oh and Kay, I try not to shop at Walmart due to the clientele that I have to mingle with, but they were offering what they offer best. Low prices. That is why they are so popular. They are helping the poor with low prices so they can stretch their dollar.
Farm Boss had that gun for going up our road where it's pretty wild and we have the possibility of cougar or bear. Even then, it would mostly be to try and scare one off as first choice. He and I both have concealed weapon permits but can't imagine carrying something into a mall or store although you wonder sometimes. I heard about the shooting at a Toys R-Us. We have had them at a mall up here before too. Perhaps more armed citizens who know how to handle a gun is in order although that's the key problem-- many don't know how to handle one and might shoot themselves first as did the recent NFL player. Guns are nothing to take lightly but Farm Boss doesn't nor do I.
Large groups of people often seem to take on a mentality totally alien to their nature. I've always steered clear of those ridiculous 12 midnight, 4 o'clock in the morning or other special opening sales. Often I needed or could have benefited from the sale price, but this madness deters me.
I think the stores need rules prohibiting running, or anything other than orderly movement from the entrance and through the store aisles -- just like no running in the school hallways. Add no shoving or pushing. Easier said than done, I suppose, but people seem to lack common sense sometimes.
Rain,
thanks for this reminder. I really do not hope people will be in such desperate situations once again. In spite of the present finacial crises.
I can remember the sales here in Oslo, back in the early 50'ies. The same crazy things happened. And it was woman fighing for cheap clothes, tearing bra's and underwear, wrestling on the floor, biting and using their nails ---- it was so waful and primitive....
Hope we will never, ever again see such primitive behaviour in "the civilized world".
First of all, Farm Boss is one handsome man. Reminds me of the Marlboro man or the old Granny Goose cowboy. Your kids must be real beauties.
His story is chilling. I would never get into that kind of situation, even being as frugal as I am. Just not worth it. My own story of being frightened in a crowd was at a wedding at the Mammoth Mountain Lodge about 18 years ago. The time came for the bride to throw her bouquet and I was single-again, so I was urged to go for it. One of the groom's drunk frat brothers literally grabbed the bouquet out of my hand knocking me on my ass and whooped around the room with it. He never said he was sorry and thank heavens I wasn't hurt.
I spent 37 years in retail, and got to the point that I hated the holiday season, It just brings out the worst in people! I still remember the stampede for Cabbag PAtch dolls! GOD ALMIGHTY what is WRONG with people. I do not even go NEAR a store until after the first of December!
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