Image Credit: Mel Rothenburger

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Perpetual Black Friday isn’t as bad as we make it out to be

Dec 10, 2019 | 5:05 AM

KAMLOOPS — IS IT OVER YET?

A lot of exhausted shoppers must be asking that question after more than two weeks of pre-Christmas sales. There was Black Friday, but before Black Friday there was pre-Black Friday week. Then there were post-Black Friday sales, Cyber Monday sales and Giving Tuesday.

I like the Giving Tuesday concept. Before we can give something, of course, we generally have to buy something to give.

In answer to the question, though, no, it’s not over yet.

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Some merchants will, no doubt, find ways to keep Black Friday going until Christmas.

Then, of course, there will be the Boxing Day sales, but not just Boxing Day. No, it must be Boxing Week. Followed by New Year’s sales and January sales.

It’s consumerism on steroids and it can sometimes leave us feeling resentful. Admittedly, it’s a hectic time of year but I don’t buy the line from some humbug commentators that we should all opt out and give coupons for hugs instead. We can hardly blame merchants for trying to bring in business. They have bills and salaries to pay.

We consumers are responsible for our own actions. There are too many news clips from around the world of shoppers fighting over everything from toilet paper to TV sets.

It’s up to us to remember our civility but along with the consumerism a lot of good things happen at Christmas. Many, many organizations and campaigns work to make sure no one, regardless of income or social circumstance, is left out of the joy of the season.

If we make sure to spare some time or a few dollars to help them out — and, by the way, shop local — we can enjoy the good prices and not feel guilty about it.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He writes five commentaries a week for CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.