(This is where I get to be as mean and rude as I desire. You have been warned.)
November 2006
It's that time of year again. People are complaining about the hyper-commercialization of the holiday season. "Stores have Christmas stuff out right after Halloween!" they whine. "It's too soon!" they say. "It's all about spending, spending, spending! Gimme, gimme, gimme! Where's the love? Christmas is just about being together with the ones you love!"
First of all, have these people never taken an economics class? Holiday spending greatly boosts the economy. Sure, stores don't waste any time in putting out their Christmas inventory, but why should they? Demand increases, so supply should, as well. Many people wait until after Thanksgiving, but many others want to beat that rush. No matter when we do our shopping, we just have to be smart consumers and not get suckered.
Secondly, what's wrong with getting excited about the gift-giving season? I realize that some people look at it the wrong way. They put little or no effort into choosing each individual gift. They buy people things just because they feel obligated to. Or just for the sake of tradition. But some of us see giving gifts as a wonderful way to show others how much we love them. If we're smart, we start our shopping early and get the best gifts that we can (within our budget). Then we can't wait to see the recipients smile and maybe even shed a tear or two. And we also show our appreciation for our own gifts.
A couple of years ago, I witnessed my brother doing this for his wife. On Christmas morning, he gave her a small, wrapped box. I have no idea what was in it; I didn't see her open it. All I saw was them sharing a private moment together, her crying tears of joy and him holding her close. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
Not that every gift has to be sentimental. Sometimes, that's just not appropriate. The point is, we must pay attention to what our family and friends truly want and/or need. Even if that leads to regifting (which, if done properly, is not against the rules of etiquette).
I haven't even mentioned kids yet. They get a great thrill out of getting new stuff for Christmas, especially if their parents and other relatives pay close attention to what they like. However, someone did say recently that, when they went shopping, they had to fight their way through a crowd of "soccer moms trying to buy their kids' love." Unfortunately, it is true that some parents are so focused on buying gifts that they forget to spend time with their families. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in "Jingle All the Way", who battled with Sinbad's disgruntled-postal-worker character, trying to get his hands on the very popular Turbo Man toy. He had good intentions, but he failed to realize that his son was feeling neglected and his neighbor was trying to seduce his wife. The movie had an over-the-top ending, but the man did learn his lesson.
But should people like that forget about gift-giving? No, of course not. In one of my favorite holiday specials, "A Garfield Christmas", the fat cat says, "All right, you guys, just permit me one sentimental moment here. I have something to say: Christmas. It's not the giving, it's not the getting, it's the loving. There. I said it. Now get out of here." I think what the writer(s) were saying here is that giving and getting - as well as quality time - are all a part of loving, if done correctly. There's no need to cut any part out; people just need to strike a balance between all three. Easier said than done, I know, but we can at least try.
I won't neglect to mention the greatest Christmas gift of all: the birth of the Christ child. And the three wise men worshipping him with not only some of the finest gifts of the time, but also their words and their long, weary journey just to see him. That's what Christmas is all about. (The Peanuts gang, particularly Linus, get it right every year.)
There. I said it. Now get out of here.
December 11, 2006
It's time to put on my "spoil-sport" hat.
Why do people hassle employees and customers at Wal-Marts (and other superstores)? Whether it's a form of protest or just for fun, it's stupid. These people need to grow up and think about what they're doing.
There's a pervasive stereotype about Wal-Mart employees: they're all undereducated rednecks. This is not true. Some of them are young students who just need jobs while they're in school. Some of them are retirees who just want something simple to do that will get them out of the house. (And away from their spouses maybe? Ha ha!)
I worked at Wal-Mart for a brief period before I began college. In the toy department. During the Christmas season. Only getting paid six bucks an hour to clean up the huge messes that all the kids made every day was bad enough. If I'd had to deal with any dumb punks trying to pull pranks, I would've gone insane.
As a shopper, I want to get in, get what I need, and get out. I don't want any unexpected delays. And I don't want any unpleasant surprises - either in the store, after I leave the store, or when I'm trying to leave the store. If I ever have to deal with any dumb punks while shopping, then...I will get my revenge.
I realize that a lot of people disagree with the way Wal-Mart does things, but these people should protest at corporate offices. Hassling people at individual stores just pisses off (often already-stressed-out) employees and shoppers who are just trying to do their jobs or run their errands, and it gets the perpetrators' asses kicked (or possibly in jail). It just continues a vicious circle of vengeance. So cut it out, punks!
All entries, Copyright 2006
