kittycat1

So it would seem the Uk has embraced the tradition of Black Friday.Cue fights breaking out and people clambering on top of each other to get the best bargains. Now I know I work in the retail industry and have to hold my hand up and say I have sold out to commercialism, so I recognise I am a complete hypocrite, but what a sad state of affairs to watch people so desperate for things. Materialism at its absolute worst. I know it is very easy for me sitting here on a good salary with no real wants or needs but it truly saddens me to see society so desperate for crap that we really don't need, when did it all become so important yet so disposable? We don't look after the crap that we are fighting over purchasing, we just consume. I would like to think at some point people will recognise that stuff doesn't make you happy, in fact it just clutters our lives more, so is there any hope for a simpler way of life less driven my capitalism?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25154497

http://www.thepoke.co.uk/2013/11/29/...s-compilation/

Disclaimer- all women need lingerie so it doesn't really count.

Bahtatboy

You're right. Not needing most of what we have was brought home to me when I move here from Dubai. Nearly all the stuff I had (and most of it was accumulated during my 4 1/2 years in UAE) went back home to UK, and each time I go back I struggle with working out where to put it all (and my walk-in loft is huge). There was half a container of it. In contrast, I moved here with one 20kg suitcase (plus golf clubs), legit-size/weight hand luggage, and the clothes I was wearing. Admittedly I have a furnished flat here and there aren't the bright lights to warrant wearing my blue crocodile Paul Smith shoes, and from trips back home I guess I've brought an additional 10kg of stuff, but its all I need. I've got my laptop, iphone, ipad, ipod (jeez....), earphones, a little speaker, a watch (had 2 but 1 was nicked), a back scratcher, a Rubiks cube, a camera, 3 pairs of sunglasses, 2 swiss army knifes, a proper keyring, small torch, golf clubs, 3 pairs of shoes plus my everyday PPE boots, 3/4 of a suitcase of clothes, and that's about it.

I must say that the i-stuff cuts out the need for a lot of physical stuff (especially books, calendars, diaries, games (I'll probably end up buying yet another ornate backgammon set, though), radio, satnav, golf gps, tv, dvd player, compass, calculator, address book and probably a load of other stuff, too).

I can't see myself going minimalist, but this current experience is teaching me that I've bought loads of stuff that I really don't need.

PS: It's not only you girls who need the lingerie...

NorthernLad

I'm in Spain at moment and Black Friday is all the rage here too. Gutted as bought iPad Air yesterday and have been told could get it cheaper today. I avoided the Apple store today just in case they were right.

Boomhauer

Took in-laws to BestBuy for an Ipad 2 last night; cost $299 (not including sales tax) which was $100 less than regular price. Had to get a 'ticket' and wait in line for about 10 mins.

Some stores over here in the US can get quite mental for Black Friday sales. I avoid those like the plague. Savings are simply not worth the hassle of the crowds and waiting in line.

flares

wise words Felicity

Meow

Creeping Americanism.


It seems that some people's only 'hobby' is shopping. I like shoes and handbags as much as the next woman, but the idea of spending every weekend trawling around a mall is ghastly.

The Dean

Sorry - I'm being a bit slow here - WHY does the UK even have a so-called Black Friday in the first place?? When is it? We don't have Thanksgiving (ThanksGod).

On Kitty's point about materialism - when virtually every penny you earn is going on overpriced fuel bills, overpriced food, overpriced rail fares, etc, etc, I suppose you make up for it - or try to - in any way you can. "I can't afford to spend twenty quid on a Widget, but they are half-price in the sale - I'm gonna make damn sure I get one!"

scot47

Americanisation of the Anglosphere continues. Thanksgiving will be the next introduction.

Kix

Known locally as a Chavalanche.