It’s a relatively new phenomenon here, imported from the US, I believe, although until recently it hadn’t come to my attention.
That it’s the day after Thanksgiving Day (something we don’t really celebrate in the UK, for obvious historical reasons) necessitates we consider it a remarkable example of social irony; for it appears predicted on the very opposite of contented thankfulness for what one already has, and a determination to gain what another has, and at their expense if necessary.
It’s supposed to be the day when businesses begin to turn a profit, the day when billions are spent on the High Street and online.
And it’s been described as the busiest shopping day of the year – and here it is in all its glory.
Or, for something a little closer to home, skip ahead to 1:12 of this ITV report:
And the Police had to ‘tweet’ (yes, the Authorities are now tweeting the law – make of this what you will):
Even on #BlackFriday shoving people to the floor so you can get £20 off a Coffee Maker is still an assault. pic.twitter.com/azOSD1HmCp
— Sgt Paul Marshall (@MPSSurbitonHSgt) November 28, 2014
Ecclesiastes 2: 10-11
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Happy emmm… Christmas? Happy… Christmas? Happy Christmas?
Happy?