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lovingpet -> RE: Black Friday Death at Wal-Mart (11/29/2008 4:10:56 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: painpup
quote:
ORIGINAL: lovingpet
Companies put a lot of money into experts that know how to get inside consumers' heads. Ultimately, each individual is responsible for their actions. Companies also have culpability when they just go too ever loving far. Don't be so naive as to think these folks don't know exactly the climate they are creating. There are a lot of folks who want to give their families a nice holiday, but are also short on cash. There is so much emotion attached to an empty tree, especially where children are involved. Add to that a bunch of folks that just want a bargain because it's there and it is a recipe for disaster. None of this excuses folks' behavior. It is, however, predictable and therefore must be accounted for and curbed.
There is also the matter of trying to figure out who was intentionally stomping the man, who was too negligent to notice what they were doing, and those who never wanted to step on him, but was caught in the wave just as much as he was (with lesser consequences, granted). There were innocent people involved even in the "mob". I certainally would like to think that I would not have to spend years in prison for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
As someone with a family member or two that was at the mercy of such crowds as employeed just like this man, I am scared for them every single Black Friday because of all the insanity. One family member recounts stories of intentional understocking with a memo handed out prior to the day showing what is to be offered WHEN they run out of sale items, not if (most of these items are of lesser quality and cost more than the sale item). He recounts people raising fists to hit him because the item they wanted is gone (like it's his fault). He is also responsible for opening the doors and has nearly been trampled several times. I hate the people for being such vicious, bloodsucking demons. I also hate the company for putting him in harm's way like that every single year with the atrocity of it all mounting each time. I don't let ANYONE off the hook for something such as this. One day it could be a loved one of mine that is a victim to the corporate greed and mindless, ravenous consumer mob.
lovingpet
Here i go telling my age again when young the youngest of 5 my mom actually shopped Year around sale wise hence no empty tree We were asked if We could have but one item that year [actually this qustion was asked every Year ] what we wanted the most and most times we got that item pursonally i liked my stocking the most my diecast match box cars the buddly L trucks [one a year ] are still prized by me most of said items were purchased aft er Christmas or my mom's green stamps holidays arn't what they used to be enough said
A few bucks here and there is how I usually do it as well. Then there are the folks that there are never a few bucks. They get within weeks of the holiday and unimaginable sorrow sets in. Some will be telling their children, out of necessity, that the touted myth isn't true because mom & dad and Santa all cannot make gifts happen. This was the case last year for us and our then 9-year old. It is a loss of innocence and the fact that a child gets pulled in to the struggles of the family.
None of this excuses ridiculous behavior. None of this allows you the company or you the customer to put my loved one in mortal danger to supply the materialistic fix (you as a generalization only). How about adjusting attitudes? That is much harder than fixing blame.
In a few years both my children will be beyond the Santa years and we will be focusing on improving the lives of others rather than glutting ourselves on presents. Our holiday is kept simple and intimate as it is, but we will expand on this in the coming years to include reaching out to our community in many different ways. I will be so proud of my children when one day they decide they want our holiday dollars spent on a needy family rather than satiating their wishes and whims. It is a choice to raise socially aware people or the demonic forces that be on Black Friday morning.
I long for some sanity to return to the holidays, too. I just don't think a few goodies under the tree is such a bad thing either. Balance and perspective is handy.
lovingpet
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