Black Friday my arse.

[LongbridgeMGRover]

Chaotic scenes, arrests, queues to get in. No its not Rovers v Dingles, but Black Friday another moronic and unneccessary import of American culture. A frenzied celebration of capitalism, consumerism and greed.
We have our own perfectly good Boxing Day and New Year sales, coinciding with the day after a major holiday. But forgive me, we dont have Thanksgiving here, so why should we have this??

Likewise Halloween in its orange, plasticy Americanised version is nothing to do with our culture where the perfectly acceptable burning of Catholic Guy Fawkes is part of our heritage.

And while talking of our special relationship, we stood side by side with the Americans after 9/11 and were their staunchest ally. So they build a new tower 1776 yards high to commemerate their war against us.

Having said all that i do like NFL!!!

[not on facebook]

Been looking at all the pictures and footage of said Black friday.

And Its clear to the eye that Its a Black friday in more ways Than one.

Itd all sbout "me me me me me " with no thought for others .

There was some footage Of a lady in a HANDICAP buggy in the front if a
que as doors were Opened.for the life Of god she should never gave Been
Allowed to have Been in that que as she was a danger to herself and all the others round her.

Pillock were all falling over each other as the HANDICAP lady in the buggy
Caused no end Of Carnage.

Fcuk her rights as society dont give two fcuks about her as 50% is taken
Off huge TV deals.

Would never be seen dead in in one Of them ques for sake Of saving
A few £100s.

Shops will have to come up with a way to prevent Such a Frenzy before
Somebody is seriously hurt,or fcuk the day off all together.

Its all about  a broken society a western one at that.

[podrover73]

As both contributors have said earlier - American idea that we don't need here as we have enough stupidity at boxing day , New years day and the launch of a new iphone .

As Oslo says f**k the day off all together - someone will and probably already has been hurt.

Do we have to import everything from the states , lets keep some traditions quintessentially English 

[Filo]

Another one here sick of the Americanization of this Country, we need to f**k that trick or treat thing off as well!

[podrover73]

OH I forgot, High school proms instead of end of school discos , now costs parents stupid sums for one event. whats up with a few soggy sarnies ,some underage booze and a grope round the bike sheds   

[Sheepskin Stu]

I couldn't agree more with what you've all said. The behaviour is reminiscent of starving people not consumerism.

[Akinfenwa]

Another one here sick of the Americanisation of this Country, we need to f**k that trick or treat thing off as well!

Fixed

[Dr Fundlekrotch]

Another one here sick of the Americanisation of this Country, we need to f*** that trick or treat thing off as well!

Fixed

Brilliant!

[Filo]

Another one here sick of the Americanisation of this Country, we need to f**k that trick or treat thing off as well!

Fixed

Ironic sarcasm is unrecognizable to you then?

[Donnywolf]

We should just ask them nicely if we can become the 51st State

[jucyberry]

Best quote I've seen today is one from a Tesco shopper who allegedly witnessed an altercation between a disgruntled shopper and a member of staff.. shopper was unimpressed that the HUMMUS wasn't in the black Friday deal..

Closely followed by the divvy bat who went out to buy a tv, couldn't get one, couldn't go home empty handed so bought a Dyson even though she didn't need it and didn't even know what it cost.

And that sums up the mentality of the many today perfectly.

How many will get their cheapo TV's home only to find they don't work because half of Peckham has sat on them on the way out?

I have to say, I despise them and their greed.

I don't have any time for sweet sixteen, proms, Halloween or any of the other puerile American traditions we seem to be saddled with these days.  I don't like the brash greed and commercialism either...

[RobTheRover]

My daughter has warned me that her prom next summer could cost me up to a grand.

I've warned her that her prom next summer is going to cost me nothing like a grand.

One of us will end up in tears,  no doubt.

[Filo]

My daughter has warned me that her prom next summer could cost me up to a grand.

I've warned her that her prom next summer is going to cost me nothing like a grand.

One of us will end up in tears,  no doubt.

You'll soon get over the upset Rob

[not on facebook]

My daughter has warned me that her prom next summer could cost me up to a grand.

I've warned her that her prom next summer is going to cost me nothing like a grand.

One of us will end up in tears,  no doubt.

Just a side thoughts 'marriage is grand ,but a divorce will cost you twenty'

[Donnywolf]

I have to say, I despise them and their greed.

I don't have any time for sweet sixteen, proms, Halloween or any of the other puerile American traditions we seem to be saddled with these days.  I don't like the brash greed and commercialism either...

.... entirely agree. Anything they think of seems to be adopted by us over here !. Trick or treat my a***

And did I see that woman that was featured at Asda desperately trying to get a Telly leaving with 2 in her trolley ?

Coca Cola still inextricably linked with Father Christmas being Red and White which they deny but I can imaging it happened even despite their denial. They DO concede upping their marketing strategy around that time

[Donnywolf]

Its a pity we adopt the naff USA stuff like proms Trick or Treat and latterly Black Friday and yet we steadfastly avoid the good USA stuff :

Good manners in public , calling people Sir and Ma'am (rather than Mate),Taking litter to a Bin or home and politer driving

[DN8ROVER]

This hits the nail on the head!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txrILqlaUlE

[Glyn_Wigley]

Coca Cola still inextricably linked with Father Christmas being Red and White which they deny

They deny it because it's a myth. They did jump on the Father Christmas bandwagon and pump it for all it's worth because of the red & white connection, but the red & white Santa had already been established long before they got involved.

[Donnywolf]

We have our own perfectly good Boxing Day and New Year sales, coinciding with the day after a major holiday. But forgive me, we dont have Thanksgiving here, so why should we have this

Give it time ... Thanksgiving will be the next thing we decide to have

[redwine]

We have our own perfectly good Boxing Day and New Year sales, coinciding with the day after a major holiday. But forgive me, we dont have Thanksgiving here, so why should we have this

Give it time ... Thanksgiving will be the next thing we decide to have

As long as we will be giving thanks for not being American

 

[Sandy Lane]

Well, just to give you some insight into the other side, I think it's fair to say that Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday.  As you know It's when family and friends sit down together for a lovely meal and socialize.  We usually invite friends who don't have family nearby, and a couple of years ago my daughter invited a couple of her colleagues from India who were working in the states and had never had turkey before.  It was fun to see their reaction to the day and along with watching American football, they really enjoyed it.  They then explained their love of 'soccer' and cricket to the family.  So If you're able to get past that is an American holiday tradition (derived from when white men stole the land from the American Indians!) it's a great way to relax with friends and family without a lot of stress, except for worrying if the turkey is dry! 

As for Black Friday, it was just the name retailers used to denote the date they were finally in the black, profit-wise, and the unofficial start of the holiday season.  It has since evolved into a shopping frenzy with substantial markdowns on merchandize, so has grown into an event which has taken on a life of its own, sadly.  But, as you know we don't do Boxing Day, the origins of which I find offensive if I am correct in interpreting that it was derived from the time when the wealthy masters gave the servants the day off, since they had to work on Christmas.  So there is good and bad in many of the holiday traditions we all still celebrate, and happily in some instances not for the reasons for which they were originally intended.

But I think it is important to note that none of the American traditions are forced upon anyone - proms, Halloween traditions, or the like.  If any culture want to embrace them it's their choice and to sneer at the Amerization of your culture is more a reflection on yourselves embracing them, rather than them forced upon you.  But please remember not all traditions were originally routed in capitalism, and some of them have now evolved into money-making events which have become as offensive to many of us as they have to many of you, and if I sound defensive it's because I'm the only American on here so feel (unjustly, I know) that it's directed at me, though I know that it's just a gripe aimed at the US as a whole.

[jucyberry]

I think my cousin said it best, she works at Shelpers Western wear in Oklahoma city....
 'Gettin ready to head to work. People please remember that the workers and cashiers in front of you are human too. They will do their best to get you out of there as fast as possible. You are there to spend money and they are there to make money. Be kind to one another. No materialistic thing is worth the stress or your life. Have a wonderful day!'

By the look of the scenes both here and across the pond quite a few people forgot that.

Bless you Sandy, it's A gripe on greed and excess, and let's face it far too many over here are just as eager to embrace the material.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.( away from the madding black Friday crowds..lol)
 

[Sheepskin Stu]

Well, just to give you some insight into the other side, I think it's fair to say that Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday.  As you know It's when family and friends sit down together for a lovely meal and socialize.  We usually invite friends who don't have family nearby, and a couple of years ago my daughter invited a couple of her colleagues from India who were working in the states and had never had turkey before.  It was fun to see their reaction to the day and along with watching American football, they really enjoyed it.  They then explained their love of 'soccer' and cricket to the family.  So If you're able to get past that is an American holiday tradition (derived from when white men stole the land from the American Indians!) it's a great way to relax with friends and family without a lot of stress, except for worrying if the turkey is dry! 

As for Black Friday, it was just the name retailers used to denote the date they were finally in the black, profit-wise, and the unofficial start of the holiday season.  It has since evolved into a shopping frenzy with substantial markdowns on merchandize, so has grown into an event which has taken on a life of its own, sadly.  But, as you know we don't do Boxing Day, the origins of which I find offensive if I am correct in interpreting that it was derived from the time when the wealthy masters gave the servants the day off, since they had to work on Christmas.  So there is good and bad in many of the holiday traditions we all still celebrate, and happily in some instances not for the reasons for which they were originally intended.

But I think it is important to note that none of the American traditions are forced upon anyone - proms, Halloween traditions, or the like.  If any culture want to embrace them it's their choice and to sneer at the Amerization of your culture is more a reflection on yourselves embracing them, rather than them forced upon you.  But please remember not all traditions were originally routed in capitalism, and some of them have now evolved into money-making events which have become as offensive to many of us as they have to many of you, and if I sound defensive it's because I'm the only American on here so feel (unjustly, I know) that it's directed at me, though I know that it's just a gripe aimed at the US as a whole.

Everyone on here holds you personally responsible for the pervasive nature of American culture.

[Dutch Uncle]

But I think it is important to note that none of the American traditions are forced upon anyone - proms, Halloween traditions, or the like.  If any culture want to embrace them it's their choice and to sneer at the Amerization of your culture is more a reflection on yourselves embracing them, rather than them forced upon you.  But please remember not all traditions were originally routed in capitalism, and some of them have now evolved into money-making events which have become as offensive to many of us as they have to many of you, and if I sound defensive it's because I'm the only American on here so feel (unjustly, I know) that it's directed at me, though I know that it's just a gripe aimed at the US as a whole.

Sandy - Very many thanks for bringing a much needed balance to this thread.

First of all I think I can speak for probably everyone on here when I say that nothing is directed at you personally.

You make some great points, especially about the UK (or its marketing sector) consciously playing a full role in incorporating the traditions of any country (often the US) into the UK when it suits them. That is not unique to the UK. Let me tell a story of the Netherlands from my 35+ years living there. When I first went to live there in the 1970's Christmas was more or less unknown as a time of presents for children - the equivalent occasion was Saint Nicholas (Sinter Klaas) on 6 December. There were many traditions such as Sint arriving in Holland from Spain by boat two weeks prior to 6 December and leaving sweeties and taking orders for larger presents.  Then the Dutch commercial sector saw a double killing and started pushing Christmas as a second bonanza of present giving to children. The two existed in unhappy competition for a couple of decades with kids getting their presents in two smaller helpings until finally it now looks like Christmas is getting the upper hand and Sinter Klaas is definitely fading. This eroding of a Dutch centuries old custom is not the fault of the UK, or the US - it is the greed of Dutch commercialism. Black Friday will only stay in the UK if it continues to make a profit after the novelty wears off. Unfortunately, like Christmas in the Netherlands,  this may well turn out to be the case.

US bashing is a popular sport right now. For better or worse I have had much dealing with Americans in my 35+ years in the Netherlands, and in particular with the US military who are often particularly targetted. I have indeed met a few US military personnel who fit the common narrow minded stereotype, and probably deserve a lot of their bad reputation ...... but I have met far far more wonderful open-minded and very brave deep thinking and deeply caring people I have been fortunate to count as friends.  We are in great danger of judging a whole nation on a few people. Anyone who thinks all US politicians are aggressive, corrupt or incompetent on the basis of what we see and hear in the news should try to envisage how the rest of the world might judge us from Farage, Mellor, Clegg, Miliband, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and the late Reverend Ian Paisley to name just a few.       

Sandy - that was a very brave post and thank you again.         

Edit: P.S. For those (including me) who don't like Trick or Treat - it orginated in Ireland & Scotland, not the US.   

[Dagenham Rover]

Well, just to give you some insight into the other side, I think it's fair to say that Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday.  As you know It's when family and friends sit down together for a lovely meal and socialize.  We usually invite friends who don't have family nearby, and a couple of years ago my daughter invited a couple of her colleagues from India who were working in the states and had never had turkey before.  It was fun to see their reaction to the day and along with watching American football, they really enjoyed it.  They then explained their love of 'soccer' and cricket to the family.  So If you're able to get past that is an American holiday tradition (derived from when white men stole the land from the American Indians!) it's a great way to relax with friends and family without a lot of stress, except for worrying if the turkey is dry! 

As for Black Friday, it was just the name retailers used to denote the date they were finally in the black, profit-wise, and the unofficial start of the holiday season.  It has since evolved into a shopping frenzy with substantial markdowns on merchandize, so has grown into an event which has taken on a life of its own, sadly.  But, as you know we don't do Boxing Day, the origins of which I find offensive if I am correct in interpreting that it was derived from the time when the wealthy masters gave the servants the day off, since they had to work on Christmas.  So there is good and bad in many of the holiday traditions we all still celebrate, and happily in some instances not for the reasons for which they were originally intended.

But I think it is important to note that none of the American traditions are forced upon anyone - proms, Halloween traditions, or the like.  If any culture want to embrace them it's their choice and to sneer at the Amerization of your culture is more a reflection on yourselves embracing them, rather than them forced upon you.  But please remember not all traditions were originally routed in capitalism, and some of them have now evolved into money-making events which have become as offensive to many of us as they have to many of you, and if I sound defensive it's because I'm the only American on here so feel (unjustly, I know) that it's directed at me, though I know that it's just a gripe aimed at the US as a whole.

Well said that lady

[Sandy Lane]

Thanks Jucy for the kind Thanksgiving wishes and hearing about your cousins perfect handling of the situation.  Btw, I love Sheplers, and got a pair of cowboy boots from them a couple of years back (not on Black Friday).  Lol

Dutch, I appreciate your feedback and thank you for the fascinating story about the Dutch traditions, which I had never heard before.  I recently read on the BBC that there was a protest against Black Pete in the Netherlands as they felt it was an offensive tradition, but again nothing I knew about before reading the article.  Everywhere is becoming more politically correct these days, and I'm very glad for it.

[LongbridgeMGRover]

I started this thread while bored at work on (Black) Friday, and i have to say the quantity and quality of responses and viewpoints is what makes this section of the forum a real pleasure compared to how the main part often degenerates!!



I guess what i am really saying is that i fear a homogenous global culture which swamps local, regional, national and faith based traditions.

[Dutch Uncle]

Dutch, I appreciate your feedback and thank you for the fascinating story about the Dutch traditions, which I had never heard before.  I recently read on the BBC that there was a protest against Black Pete in the Netherlands as they felt it was an offensive tradition, but again nothing I knew about before reading the article.  Everywhere is becoming more politically correct these days, and I'm very glad for it.

The Zwarte Piet (Black Pete, Sinter Klaas's helpers) reaction has really gathered pace recently - even a court case in Amsterdam and a death threat somewhere in Belgium. I am in favour of Political Correctness (and also Health Safety issues) ......... as long as they are accompanied by a huge dollop of common sense, and as long as they are not hijacked unfairly. Zwarte Piets are kind helpful characters, but if the fact they are helpers is deemed as reinforcing racial stereotyping then maybe they should indeed be phased out gently. After all Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie have had their works revised with the passage of time to reflect current views.  But death threats over Zwarte Piets - that sort of overreaction drives me nuts. 

On a more positive PC issue - a couple of weeks ago I went back to my old University for my daughter's graduation and there is a memorial with two lists of names for old students who died during the two World Wars. The list had just been extended with a few new names - German ones. I applaud that - politicians make wars - not soldiers. 

[Sandy Lane]

Dutch, I appreciate your feedback and thank you for the fascinating story about the Dutch traditions, which I had never heard before.  I recently read on the BBC that there was a protest against Black Pete in the Netherlands as they felt it was an offensive tradition, but again nothing I knew about before reading the article.  Everywhere is becoming more politically correct these days, and I'm very glad for it.

The Zwarte Piet (Black Pete, Sinter Klaas's helpers) reaction has really gathered pace recently - even a court case in Amsterdam and a death threat somewhere in Belgium. I am in favour of Political Correctness (and also Health Safety issues) ......... as long as they are accompanied by a huge dollop of common sense, and as long as they are not hijacked unfairly. Zwarte Piets are kind helpful characters, but if the fact they are helpers is deemed as reinforcing racial stereotyping then maybe they should indeed be phased out gently. After all Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie have had their works revised with the passage of time to reflect current views.  But death threats over Zwarte Piets - that sort of overreaction drives me nuts. 

On a more positive PC issue - a couple of weeks ago I went back to my old University for my daughter's graduation and there is a memorial with two lists of names for old students who died during the two World Wars. The list had just been extended with a few new names - German ones. I applaud that - politicians make wars - not soldiers. 

ll


Dutch, I agree wholeheartedly and thanks for sharing the story behind Black Pete.  I guess that's the trouble with causes where people jump on the bandwagon without knowing the history behind them, and as you say, common sense is pretty much out the window.

Congratulations to your daughter btw, and best wishes to her in the next leg of the journey.

[Orlandokarla]

Well, just to give you some insight into the other side, I think it's fair to say that Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday.  As you know It's when family and friends sit down together for a lovely meal and socialize.  We usually invite friends who don't have family nearby, and a couple of years ago my daughter invited a couple of her colleagues from India who were working in the states and had never had turkey before.  It was fun to see their reaction to the day and along with watching American football, they really enjoyed it.  They then explained their love of 'soccer' and cricket to the family.  So If you're able to get past that is an American holiday tradition (derived from when white men stole the land from the American Indians!) it's a great way to relax with friends and family without a lot of stress, except for worrying if the turkey is dry! 

As for Black Friday, it was just the name retailers used to denote the date they were finally in the black, profit-wise, and the unofficial start of the holiday season.  It has since evolved into a shopping frenzy with substantial markdowns on merchandize, so has grown into an event which has taken on a life of its own, sadly.  But, as you know we don't do Boxing Day, the origins of which I find offensive if I am correct in interpreting that it was derived from the time when the wealthy masters gave the servants the day off, since they had to work on Christmas.  So there is good and bad in many of the holiday traditions we all still celebrate, and happily in some instances not for the reasons for which they were originally intended.

But I think it is important to note that none of the American traditions are forced upon anyone - proms, Halloween traditions, or the like.  If any culture want to embrace them it's their choice and to sneer at the Amerization of your culture is more a reflection on yourselves embracing them, rather than them forced upon you.  But please remember not all traditions were originally routed in capitalism, and some of them have now evolved into money-making events which have become as offensive to many of us as they have to many of you, and if I sound defensive it's because I'm the only American on here so feel (unjustly, I know) that it's directed at me, though I know that it's just a gripe aimed at the US as a whole.

You're not the only one, Sandy. I had refrained from posting in this snide thread until now, but I thought you might appreciate the back up. My wife and daughter are American, and frankly I get pissed off with the anti American jibes on here.
I've spent all but a couple of years of my adult life in the US in half a dozen states, and I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Halloween is a lot of fun over here, for both kids and big kids It wasn't anything in England when I was a kid, and if it has subsequently been adopted in a half-arsed fashion in the last decade or two, then that is hardly the fault of the US.

Thanksgiving is purely about family making the effort to get together, which becomes increasing difficult and rare as we all get older and our lives more complicated. Remember that it is not uncommon here to have family spread over the whole country, and having a day that brings everyone together is important, especially as Christmas tends to be more about your own household and kids.

As for Black Friday, if I can save some cash on the run up to Christmas (especially by shopping online), fan-bloody-tastic. A sale AFTER Christmas doesn't save me any money ON Christmas; it just encourages me to spend more on "bargains." A sale before Christmas is surely more beneficial to the consumer?

Besides, the disgusting behaviour displayed by people at some of these sales is nothing new. I remember watching grown men trampling the children at the front of the que, merely to get into Woolworths some 2 seconds earlier for the big Star Wars toy sale. I still remember that vividly, some 25-30 years later.

I'm tired of hearing the anti-American crap. The best people I've ever met are American, I haven't regretted moving here for a moment,  and these generalisations are as ignorant as any that suggest all Rovers fans are knobs because a few morons like playing with pyrotechnics.

A few of you, and I'm not necessarily aiming this at anyone in this thread, need to take a look at yourselves and consider why you feel the need to take cheap shots at an easy target.