Please Don’t Shop Today or Even This Weekend
I worked retail for years. Not always by choice. Sometimes we do what we must to take care of our families. What I hated most was how so many workers were treated, including me. I didn’t expect rainbows and warm fuzzies and neighborly conversation in my job. But I expected civility, respect and goddamn it- some fucking common sense. As the years wore on, I was amazed at the level of rudeness, entitlement and lack of logic in customers. Many were just fine, some even lovely and wonderful people. But some- I wondered who lived with you and did they know what a miserable shitweasel you were to those trying to actually do a good job of customer service. In the end, I was convinced there are people who get off trying to make others miserable in service and hospitality. Are there terrible employees in these industries? Of course there are, just like you have in any profession. But most are just trying to do what they must. Please, if you see douchebaggery to anyone in service, call it out. If you can, avoid the shitty sales that are bait and switch for many retailers. They will have deals after Black Friday, they always do. You are being set up to be manipulated. If you think it’s a limited product, do your homework and just stop expecting magical elves to produce what you want from “ the back” of the store. If it’s gone, don’t give anyone shit about it.. except the MARKETING department of that establishment that didn’t advertise limited quantities. The workers are carrying out corporate demands and if you don’t get your free worth less than a quarter pop culture item that is given to the first 100 shoppers don’t act like a toddler. Don’t yell at random people who don’t make the decisions to run a promotion just to get your bored ass in the door. And don’t tolerate people who act like this. Be kind but do not put up with shitty behavior.
Think about who, what, why and how you buy your gifts and items.
WHY am I standing in line for a free tote bag and I have NO idea why I bought this thing to get said tote bag...
Who is this for, me, my loved one, a co-worker, my neighbor, etc? Why would I buy THIS for them and is it worth it? Can’t this item wait? Did I put any thought into WHO I am buying for?
HOW will I give them this gift? Am I able to mail this? Can I wrap this or transport it? Will they know HOW to use this once they have it?
WHAT the hell is this thing anyway? What exactly am I buying? Is it worth fighting a crowd to get it? Is it crap? Some people are so happy with just a simple gift card, cash.
STOP just buying shit because someone made a fuss and advertised it on YouTube, television, streaming, newspapers, etc. Calm the fuck DOWN. Make rational decisions about how you want to give a gift and celebrate a holiday.
When the culture of commerce becomes more thoughtful, so do the interactions between buyer and seller. ***If you MUST buy, instead of make a gift, grow a gift, donate a gift, hell- BE a GIFT to someone, please do so with the idea that you can make this a mindful experience, not a capitalist orgy of sticking your card number in numerous places without really knowing why for a fleeting promise of satisfaction.
Local businesses have it very, very rough this year. If they didn’t qualify for government help, if they are still standing, they are not being held up by much. If you can, order online if they have a site or go when it’s not in this frenzy mode. Some of the best gifts I ever found were in farmers’s markets, individual artisans and creators’ pop ups, or just a few miles from my front door from a local small business.
And some of the best gifts I’ve received and given were not for Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, Valentine’s, Easter or even my birthday- they were JUST BECAUSE I thought of you and why you would love, need or really like this on this random day of the calendar.
*** If you are at home due to quarantine and so are loved ones, if you aren’t having gifts shipped from stores, sites, etc- donate to a charity or cause they love, support or are passionate about. Make a video and get creative and silly. Start seedlings now of plants you can grow indoors or make cuttings of houseplants and send pics of their growth and give when you see them again. Tending a plant for a loved one has made me a better gardener. Give your TIME to someone who is cut off- make a Zoom, FaceTime, etc and just play music, watch a movie, share pics and memories, etc. Do a chore outside weather permitting, for someone who can’t get to it. Read a story to a young one with pictures online if you can’t be with them. Buy pantry items for a meal you know someone likes to make and eat (give them a heads up text first if it’s being delivered so they won’t miss it.) The best gifts are just random bursts of thoughtfulness that can happen any day.
It would be nice to make Black Friday just fade away and not put essential workers through it anymore. Until then, please...pause before you purchase. Don’t feed the idea that THIS weekend is the end all be all of obtaining gifts. Even online. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY ANYTHING TODAY!