h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So, today is called Black Friday is it? I think a more appropriate name would be Red Friday judging by the number of people who will go into the red snapping up so called bargains. What is it with people who appear normal in every respect then suddenly, it gets near Christmas and they have their brains removed to such an extent they end up with a very lonely brain cell.
I watched some shoppers being interviewed amongst the scrum outside a store and a student was asked why he was there so early. His reply summed it up for me. He was there because, quote:- "I have so much debt as a student this is the one way I can hopefully get presents for my family" unquote. He's obviously not studying economics or 'how to maintain a household budget' (if he is, he's just failed the basic test) A sad reflection on a 'must have' society that's lost all sense of proportion and grip with reality. This not helped by the stores themselves. Simple question, if they can afford to slash prices like this today and again on Boxing Day, then why the hell can't they keep these prices all year round? Its a con people, wake up fer bobs sake!!
It goes without saying, I won't be taking part in any spending spree, I've done my normal shop and that's it. What I ain't got, I go without. Seemples
Right, that's got that off me chest, back to earth and more mundane matters. I have a laptop to update with the latest win 10 build so time to re-fresh me and set to on that.
Have a good day folks, ttfn.

Well, I saved £6 on the bottle of perfume I was planning to buy anyway for my mum's birthday in the middle of December. But I did it from the comfort of my desk at lunchtime. No way would I face the shops today

Deb

[Amy P]

"a student was asked why he was there so early. His reply summed it up for me. He was there because, quote:- 'I have so much debt as a student this is the one way I can hopefully get presents for my family' unquote" [BMT]

Well, luck may be a factor for this student. Some students get scholarships, some have parents who foot the bill for their education, some are able to work their through college, and some borrow heavily. Is he student whose parents are paying a better manager of his/her own money? I don't think so. It was luck of the sort that students with poor parents don't have.

Avoiding massive student loan debt would be a good thing, I think, though. Even if Christmas shopping were not part of the equation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30243092

21st century civilisation at it's best

That's just shocking. How much were these people actually saving? It's not worth it. I'm happy I saved 20% on my mum's birthday perfume by buying it yesterday, it's £6 still in my pocket, but that kind of behavious just isn't worth any kind of saving.

Deb

Why was a woman hit by a falling television set in a supermarket? Do people eat TVs in that area?

You can buy pretty much anything in the supermarket these days. What bugs me is the way gas/electric supply and credit cards throw themselves off the shelves and accost you in the aisles (by which of course I mean those people who try to sell you these things as you try to negotiate your renegrade trolley round a corner).

Deb

I haven't come across that sort of thing in the stores I shop in. Sometimes there are people giving out free samples of Boar's head cold cuts/cheeses or various other [usually sweet] products. If I'm hungry, I don't mind sampling them .

But then, I lead a somewhat sheltered life. The indoor shopping malls I visit often have people hawking products in the corridors, but those are not in the stores themselves.