In recent days and this last week or so, there have been multiple posts on social media sites about Thanksgiving. I as much as anyone else think the holidays are for spending time with families. I believe in big dinners, games, conversations and even an adult beverage to tolerate those "family" members that work our last nerves.
The term Black Friday has been around for a long time (click link for more info.) People have been going and shopping to save money for years. Retailers love this time of year because for a lot of them, it can mean staying open versus closing the doors. Mom and Pop stores are the ones that over the years has been hit the hardest due to larger big box retailers moving into all areas of the country.
Criticism has also been put on some retailers for opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day. People feel that workers should be allowed to spend time with their family. On the surface, this sounds really great and most would agree. The more I start the think about it though, the more I realize, that is not fair. Here are 10 reasons why you should not rush to demonize others so quickly.
1. We live in a country where there are so many people unemployed or under employed, that we actually have less people working, then people not in the workforce. Retailers are in a real hurt, whether they are mom and pop or big box retailers. They need people to spend as much money as they can to keep going.
2. I don't know about you, but after spending a few hours with some of my family, I want to get away and go somewhere to forget all the headaches.
3. There are a lot of people that volunteer to work the holidays, due to it's what they prefer for whatever reason. Some people love what they do and really enjoy working in retail.
4. We never seem to mind when we need to get gas or run to the corner market for a can of cranberry sauce, that the person behind the counter is working.
5. We also never seem to mind when someone gets hurt and there are Doctors and Nurses who sacrifice their family time to heal the sick.
6. People also do not seem to mind when they loose power in their homes, or have an issue with their cell phones, they want to be able to talk to someone to get that turned on as quickly as possible.
7. Others forget that for decades, our brave men and women in uniforms sacrifice much more to be away from their families, whether it be in the armed services, or as police men and women.
8. People also forget that we still have individual choices and freedoms. That also means protection from being persecuted or demagogue others.
9. Since the economy has not recovered to a suitable level for many Americans, I for one will do almost anything to save some money any time of the year.
10. Just like you have the choice to not shop at those stores that will be open on Thanksgiving day. That does not mean those that are working or will go, do not want to be there shopping.
Another point I will make is that these posts are coming from all walks of life. People from many different religions, ethnicity, and regions. So I say to everyone, please go ahead and post all you want about how you are going to stay home on thanksgiving so those people are allowed to spend time with their families. While you are doing that, please do not go to the movies, get sick, need gas, or even make a call to a company with whom you do business. If you are choosing to not shop because you want others to spend time with their families. Please do not start picking and choosing which people.
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy
The term Black Friday has been around for a long time (click link for more info.) People have been going and shopping to save money for years. Retailers love this time of year because for a lot of them, it can mean staying open versus closing the doors. Mom and Pop stores are the ones that over the years has been hit the hardest due to larger big box retailers moving into all areas of the country.
Criticism has also been put on some retailers for opening their doors on Thanksgiving Day. People feel that workers should be allowed to spend time with their family. On the surface, this sounds really great and most would agree. The more I start the think about it though, the more I realize, that is not fair. Here are 10 reasons why you should not rush to demonize others so quickly.
1. We live in a country where there are so many people unemployed or under employed, that we actually have less people working, then people not in the workforce. Retailers are in a real hurt, whether they are mom and pop or big box retailers. They need people to spend as much money as they can to keep going.
2. I don't know about you, but after spending a few hours with some of my family, I want to get away and go somewhere to forget all the headaches.
3. There are a lot of people that volunteer to work the holidays, due to it's what they prefer for whatever reason. Some people love what they do and really enjoy working in retail.
4. We never seem to mind when we need to get gas or run to the corner market for a can of cranberry sauce, that the person behind the counter is working.
5. We also never seem to mind when someone gets hurt and there are Doctors and Nurses who sacrifice their family time to heal the sick.
6. People also do not seem to mind when they loose power in their homes, or have an issue with their cell phones, they want to be able to talk to someone to get that turned on as quickly as possible.
7. Others forget that for decades, our brave men and women in uniforms sacrifice much more to be away from their families, whether it be in the armed services, or as police men and women.
8. People also forget that we still have individual choices and freedoms. That also means protection from being persecuted or demagogue others.
9. Since the economy has not recovered to a suitable level for many Americans, I for one will do almost anything to save some money any time of the year.
10. Just like you have the choice to not shop at those stores that will be open on Thanksgiving day. That does not mean those that are working or will go, do not want to be there shopping.
Another point I will make is that these posts are coming from all walks of life. People from many different religions, ethnicity, and regions. So I say to everyone, please go ahead and post all you want about how you are going to stay home on thanksgiving so those people are allowed to spend time with their families. While you are doing that, please do not go to the movies, get sick, need gas, or even make a call to a company with whom you do business. If you are choosing to not shop because you want others to spend time with their families. Please do not start picking and choosing which people.
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy
Comments
Post a Comment