Some Blog Site

I was talking to a co-worker who was born and raised in an Eastern Bloc country – one of the old communist countries next to Russia. He said that he, and everyone else he knows from there who is now in the US, cannot understand why Black Friday is so popular.

“People wake up so early and stand in line just to get a good deal on a gift! Why is that fun?”

He will not do that. He said that for so many years that was daily life. His family had to stand in line and wait just for their needs – bread, milk, eggs, etc. – so now that he is in the US he appreciates the availability of things.

Standing in line for shopping is a bad thing and a sign of bad government / oppression / etc. and he will not do that just to save a few dollars. The country was communist while he was there, and standing in line for goods is not a pleasant memory for him.

I thought that was rather enlightening.

Remember that when you’re doing your Christmas shopping and you are waiting in line voluntarily – there are plenty of people who are waiting in line for their survival. Appreciate your freedom and your prosperity – something for which you can be thankful.