At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements.
Did you brave the Black Friday madhouse? Did you join the throngs looking for deals on Thanksgiving itself?
If you like the Facebook page of my shop, Zizi Rho Designs, you already saw this link to the Slate article about why you shouldn't shop on Thanksgiving. (What you should do is shop online. Like in my shop. Where I have all sorts of wonderful presents for you to buy. Okay, blatant self promotion over.)
This all got me to thinking. And as this is my what if day, I thought I'd put the question to you...
What if the government could pass a law to make it illegal to open stores for a holiday? (For argument purposes, let's say that they can pass the law, but only if it's for one holiday.) Which holiday should it be? Which holiday should they "roll up the sidewalks" for?
I didn't shop on Black Friday, usually don't and I usually work Black Friday so its a good thing :) I don't like crowds in general.
ReplyDeleteGood question about what holiday to roll up the sidewalks for. I read in a book I had of Christmases past and Christmas was usually not taken off as a holiday except if it fell on Sunday (this was in the 1700 and 1800's if I remember). I think I will go with Thanksgiving since it is a day of thanks most people celebrate here in the United States and not everyone celebrates Christmas.
betty
I don't go near a store on Black Friday and find the whole thing crazy -- people pushing people and pretty much demolishing stores for a discount. Not in favor of government involvement for store closure, only because it crosses a certain line, but okay, what if they had to close for one holiday ... I would definitely make it Thanksgiving just to get all this madness over with. ha, ha. :)
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, there are some states that do have laws against stores opening on Thanksgiving. I forget which ones at the moment...
DeleteBack in my childhood, everything closed down on Sundays and holidays. As stores were opened on those days, the meaning disappeared in the shopping. Yes, I agree. Stores should honor these days.
ReplyDeleteNo, I did not venture into any store except the pharmacy. Madness is overwhelming.
I don't blame you. I hear it was crazy. (I go no where near it myself.)
DeleteChristmas...I really don't think stores should open on Christmas. They pretty much don't... I don't shop on Black Friday--I'm lucky to get my Christmas shopping done by the week before Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll be right there with you. I am so woefully behind this year.
DeleteI didn't venture out at all on Black Friday. I don't care for crowds.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting idea, but why does it only have to be for one holiday? And if I really am limited, I'd declare the Friday after Thanksgiving another holiday and pick it. Two birds, one stone.
I think I'll go with Thanksgiving, too, for the same reasons Betty mentioned. But I'll add that I think stores should be closed on Sundays like they used to be.
ReplyDeleteIn Australia no shops are allowed to open on Good Friday or Christmas Day. Yes we are living in the Stone Age Down Under. Small corner stores can but no one else!
ReplyDeleteGood Friday? Yikes. Everyplace is open here on Good Friday.
DeleteI went to my fave store Target which had a Starbucks inside. Two birds with one stone:) We try to be selective on Black Friday and enjoy the time spent with our family and not go crazy like the crowds!!
ReplyDeleteAs long as you had a pleasant time...
DeleteI missed this somehow yesterday! I would never go out on Black Friday. I never go out on Boxing Day and I would make sure Christmas eve after 12 pm, Christmas day and Boxing Day would all be a mandatory holiday. I actual despise it that the Wal-marts of the world pushed the envelope and have all these beautiful holidays go. I grew up with all holidays being off and Sundays being off and I think it should have stayed this way. We do not need to be in stores 24/7 and the sales would be on the next day if it wasn't for these greedy evil stores. I never ever step foot in Walmart...ever! I don't like their practices and feel the people who work there work in fear
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