Sunday, November 30, 2008

I put the "F U" in fun

Black Friday and holiday shopping fun, yes? This year not so much. What's with the killing of the people?The stampeding and gunfire? Are you kidding me?

Let me just say that though I have on occasion imagined myself bludgeoning someone while out rubbing elbows with people that I like to refer to as "rude, morally-bankrupt animals", I would never.... NEVER resort to violence outside of daydreaming when faced with not getting something that I want.

Is this what we have come to?

How does it make sense that a season, first and foremost named as the season of GIVING, should cause such hostility and homicidal tendencies? Oh, right. Christmas is no longer Merry Christmas... but XMAS, Happy Holidays, etc, etc, etc. 'Tis the season of give me more, because if you don't , you're a bad parent/child/sibling/grandchild and you don't really love me-me-me-me-me.

I will admit that I have been guilty of commercialism, of going over board because I want my kids to have all the things that I didn't, and I have come to realize that by doing so I have created mini monsters who play with new toys for about a week then grow bored of them. Lesson learned. We have scaled waaaaay back on gift giving for any holiday, and we donate the things no longer played with, the ones that are collecting dust.

It has been a painful process, realizing all that has been compromised... my children's egos, my wallet, and the core of our souls. No thing can make my kids love me, and no trinket can show them how much I love them. That is up to me, and up to them. I thank God that my husband and I have come to this realization before it was too late.

Oh, I'm sure we might get the "I'm looking for more presents underneath the ripped and tattered remains of what probably amounts to 3 trees" , and even a small "is that it?" look from at least one of my ankle biters... but we'll get there. Baby steps, people. ;)

But honestly? I'm not sure I want to buy into a holiday that has been tainted with sacrificial blood. Maybe I will opt out next year. Maybe the 25th of each month will be cause for celebration, and maybe, just maybe we can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas every day of every single year without killing someone.

That would be swell.

OK, I'm jumping off of my soapbox now, and I'll leave you with this thought (OK, I'm only standing with one foot on the soap box right now):

This being my first year of retail hell ( I work at the Tar-jay), I would emplore all of the lovely shoppers out there to at least try to put something back in its original spot. If you don't want it? Ya know what? Take it to the register anyway and say these eleven magical words.

"I don't want this, can you put this back for me?"

Those eleven mystical and magical words would reduce hundreds of thousands of man hours of hunting what we like to call reshops from the candy aisle and eventually returning it to the lingerie section.

What does that mean for you you might ask? Lower cost, better savings.

And me, not mentally flipping you the bird. Just a thought.

Hugs and kisses,
~mert

8 comments:

Holly Schwendiman said...

This has always been one day I stay as far away from any shopping places as possible! No deal is good enough for me to sacrifice sleep and sanity.

Hugs,
Holly

Anonymous said...

It amazes me what people do on Black Friday. I went out knowing that a healthy sense of humor was going to be my best defense. It's amazing what people will do to get a "good deal"!

Not So Anonymous Michelle said...

I can't get over how nuts people get on Black Friday either! It's insanity!!

I think it's great you're scaling back on the gifts. For now with us just having Emma, we kind of splurge, however, she's getting just one BIG gift and a few stocking stuffers this year. We splurged on Furreal Friend Biscuit and got it for $100 on Ebay, less than any stores had it so it was a deal at least. Normally we don't spend that much on her all in total with big and little gifts but it was a smaller investment than a REAL puppy!!

I do lots and LOTS of mental bird flipping too and if I worked in retail I'm sure I'd be doing even more! You need to add one word to that eleven word phrase though..."I don't want this, can you put this back for me PLEASE?"

Pamela said...

I was appalled when I saw the news about that stampede. Animals!

(I want you to know that I'm one of those who puts things back, and always returns the cart to the carousel. But, I haven't been shopping yet this year - so it doesn't count.)

Unknown said...

that walmart thing scared the crap out of me...my dad works there. not that particular walmart, of course, but a walmart nonetheless. people are insane. it's not like they were waiting in line for water or government cheese. they were in line for flat screen TVs. people really need to get some perspective.

i always try to return stuff to the same area i found it. and i try to refold, too! :)

thank you for putting up with all us crazy shoppers! :)

Anonymous said...

Just a thought....
If we return our own carts,
bag our own groceries (and even bring our own bags),
use the self check out lane,
put away our unwanted stuff,
and use the self handy price checkers.

Will you have anything to do your shift? That would be soo boring for you. LOL

Kidding of course. I've done my share of restaurants and retail. eeer. Restaurants - I loved the "older" ladies who ate 80% of their dinner and then said it wasn't what they ordered. They would argue with me every time. I tried to be firm with a smile on my face. Aggravating.

Jennfactor 10 said...

This was a lovely post, Miz Mert. (You know, aside from the whole crass stampeding and pointless death)

As a recovering retailer, I also give you a big AMEN! on the restocking...

Anonymous said...

Having survived two holiday seasons working at Target myself, you just gave me reshop nightmares. People seem to think that it would be embarrassing to admit to a cashier (sorry, team member) that they changed their mind about buying something. So instead, they wad up clothing and makeup and stuff it behind a stack of towels. DON'T DO THAT!

and re: the shopping madness-I literally almost threw up when I read that people had trampled a Wal-Mart employee on Black Friday. It's JUST STUFF, PEOPLE. And to keep pushing and trampling even when other employees are trying to help, when the POLICE are there? What the hell is wrong with people? It's why almost everything I'm giving as gifts this year was acquired online. Great post, Mary.