Black Friday

I have not shopped on Black Friday for a number of years now. I don't think there is anything I need to buy badly enough to brave a shopping mall on Black Friday. That Darwinian competition that comes out in otherwise kind people on that day is not something I want to be subject myself to. Also, Black Friday has been seeping into Thanksgiving in recent years. Now retail employees must rush through spending time with family on Thanksgiving Day so they can be at work for those who want to shop "early" for Black Friday deals. I am deeply disheartened by this practice. I applaud retailers who don't buy into this, and I'm even more likely to purchase from them when I do need to buy something. I really like the values reflected in the REI ad pictured above. The small writing in the lower right hand corner reads, "Once again, REI is skipping the Black Friday frenzy. Our stores are closed today. We gave all our employees a paid day off to #optoutside."