Last night my friend Mark and I went out in search of a post Thanksgiving meal at whatever restaurant was open.  (It ended up being White Castle, but that is another story for another day).

While we were out we drove by Providence Marketplace (local mall) to watch shoppers out in the post Thanksgiving pre Black Friday shopping extravaganza.  It was around 8PM and the Best Buy was already packed with a line.  I think the manager was letting people in gradually.  As I watched people coming out with large screen TVs I was somewhat disgusted at the whole thing.  Were these people buying items for others for Christmas?  Likely not.  Rather it was for their own (read selfish) enjoyment.

There’s the old cliche of being thankful for what you have then going out and fighting other consumers for the best deal Thanksgiving evening or on Black Friday.  But somehow seeing it person magnified the whole situation.  Running in to buy TVs at a slight discount to watch and wear out in a few years.  Rinse, Repeat.