Ahh yes, its that time of year. Time to crack open that wallet and max out the credit card so loved ones will know you care. We’ll take Thanksgiving off because someone somewhere said it was a holiday. We’ll sorta get together and eat some turkey or something. It’s a good excuse to hash out plans on which retailers we ill hit on Friday. Yes, it will be stressful – but hey – as long as we bitch at 20 – 40 Wal-Mart employees because they don’t have the Furby they advertised in stock – it’s a day well spent. Sitting outside the store waiting for it to open – looking at the other morons standing with you – eyeing them up to see which old woman you can knockdown to get to that Bratz doll that’s only $1.99 – this is what the season is all about.
While most people relish the holiday season for what it’s become (a retail holiday) others (like myself) have come to despise it. Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve worked retail for 5 years (in a mall no less) that has made me so bitter. In the beginning of my retail career I worked at the customer service counter. Nothing makes you hate Christmas more than a customer jumping down your throat because you didn’t have what little Petey desperately needed to be happy this year. When I was on the sales floor it was even better. People would bitch because you couldn’t keep up with the 10 – 20,000 customers and help everyone within’ 30 seconds. Now, fortunately I’m off the floor all together – but – I still have to work in the business. No one is safe on Black Friday – even I have to deal with the psycho’s – only this time I get to carry their purchases to their cars. How degrading!
What ever happened to Thanksgiving? The family gathering together to eat a nice meal and give THANKS! I’m thankful that I’ll be dealing with pissed-off customers bright and early the next day. I’m thankful that I have to go to bed at 8pm the night before so I can mentally handle the situation. I’m thankful that I don’t get to see ANY of my family (nor have I in years) because they live out of state. I’m thankful that my wife’s parents are divorced so we have to go to more than one house during the day – heaven forbid we didn’t – that’d mean we didn’t care for the one we skipped. Now that my daughter is in the picture its even MORE important that we please everyone. I guess it’s a good thing my family isn’t around us – that’d add more people to visit – people that I’d actually LIKE to see.
I don’t know why we don’t just get rid of Thanksgiving all together. It just gets in the way of our shopping. The mall was packed yesterday by 9:30am. The stores don’t open until 10. I heard one woman say “why aren’t the stores open yet? It’s Christmas for God’s sake!” Things like that are why I hate the holidays. Grumpy shoppers forced to spend their money on things that will get thrown away in 2 months anyhow – just because they HAVE to.
Who took Christ out of Christmas? Why don’t we call it “BuyshitforlittleJohney-mas” instead? Why are people who don’t believe in God allowed to even celebrate the holiday? It’s an exploitation of a sacred day.
Yes I enjoy the Christmas trees and candy canes and lights on the houses etc etc etc. Probably because somewhere inside me these things bring back warm memories. Memories of a much much much happier time. Memories BEFORE I realized what Christmas really was. Before I worked retail and had to see first hand the insanity it brings. Back before I had to worry about supporting my family on less than sufficient pay – while trying to better myself in a less-than-sufficient college. Back when my family was actually around me – before they left to better places.
I’m sure it’s all just me. Have fun shopping!
