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Why I Hate Black Friday

Focus on what you DO have, not what you don't.

Gianna DiFlora

Nov 28, 2016

Ramapo College

132

Wikimedia

Once the cold weather hits, the holiday anticipation begins. Not only do I look forward to the actual holidays, I look forward to the season in general. The Christmas movies, putting up the tree with my family, the first snowfall, the list goes on. The holiday season is a time for being with family, giving to those who need, and being thankful for the things you have. In my opinion, Black Friday is the epitome of what the holidays shouldn't be about.

My biggest problem is that it is right after Thanksgiving. It actually encroaches on the holiday, since people lined up to shop on the 24th, and some stores open as early as 5:00 PM on Thanksgiving. People cut their family dinners and quality time short to trample each other for material things. A day dedicated to reflecting on how fortunate you are to have the things you do, becomes a night dedicated to fighting over things that you want. I have a huge problem with that. Not to mention there are people who can't spend the day with their families because they have to work in department stores and hectic malls all day and night.

The holidays are a time when people should be happy and enjoy each other's company. I think Black Friday brings out the worst in people. There is actually a website called "Black Friday Death Count" that has been keeping track of the Black Friday injuries and deaths that have occurred since 2006. There have been nine deaths and 102 injuries. Over what, a gaming system or a flat screen TV? Lives have been lost over this stupid tradition. I understand that consumerism is the backbone of our economy, but come on! Cyber Monday, at least, isn't right on top of a holiday, and people's lives are not put in jeopardy. I understand this probably sounds like a rant at this point, but it irritates me that Black Friday is a tradition in this country. Business should be closed, and time should be spent with loved ones that maybe you don't see as much. There will always be sales and discounts, but your family won't be around forever. That is what the holidays are all about.

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Why I Hate Black Friday

Focus on what you DO have, not what you don't.

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No matter how old you are.

1. Build a snowman

2. Start a snowball fight

3. Build a fort

4. Binge-watch Netflix

4. Look out the window

5. Grab coffee with a friend

6. Complete school or office work

7. Sleep

8. Read a book

9. Bake cookies

10. Drink hot cocoa

11. Go ice skating

12. Take a Walk

"I don't want to do things. I want to not do things."

1. When you look at the syllabus and realize there are only three weeks of the semester left; even though the first day was LITERALLY yesterday.

2. You look at your grades and realize they probably aren't as high as they should be, which is a terrifying realization.

3. When you think to yourself at night, "tomorrow, I will wake up early and go to the library ALL day, and, hell, maybe after I'll go to the gym for a little bit, just to push myself that extra mile."

4. Tomorrow actually comes. The inevitable and overpowering sense of procrastination is too strong to overcome.

5. But you DO end up going to the library. Not all day though, but still, a while. But no, you do not go to the gym. Still, you made an effort, so you decide to treat yo' self.

6. When you realize you need to schedule a meeting with your adviser because you need to sign up for classes next semester. But you also realize that since you waited until the last minute, you're going to get stuck with all of the crappy classes.

7. When you low-key try to slip into conversation with your professors that you need extra credit because you're that desperate.

8. When it's already the third time you've seen your adviser in two days because you have no damn clue what you're doing and need all the help you can get.

9. When you apply for a job associated with your major even though you have no experience, but you just want to dive headfirst into the deep end of adulthood and get it over with.

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

1. Figuring out when to start

2. Searching through list after list to get everything you need

3. Shopping for deals

4. Getting bins to put everything in

5. Figuring what you can’t live without

6. Going through clothes to find what you need

7. Finding out your siblings took something from you

8. Fighting with your parents.

9. Trying to plan things with your roommate

10. The fear of forgetting something

11. Move in day

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

1. When you fail that midterm you studied so hard for.

2. When your crush finally texts back.

3. When payday comes around.

4. When you accidentally like someone's picture from 108 weeks ago.

5. When someone takes your unassigned assigned seat.

6. When your favorite character in your favorite TV series dies.

7. When that guy/girl you’ve been crushing on agrees to go on a date with you.

8. When you have so much to do, and such little motivation to do it.

9. When someone asks for your last fry.

10. When you try a new health-food craze.

11. When you get new clothing.

12. When you check your bank account.

13. When they're serving good food in the dining hall.

14. When someone tries to tell you what to do.

15. Or just your thoughts about life in general.

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