Black Friday and Buy Nothing Day
Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.
Preparation
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the day after the American holiday of Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Because it’s a holiday in the United States, it has long been a popular day for consumers to start shopping for Christmas. In the 1980s, big retailers started to offer discounts and bargains on this day, and it has become more and more popular. In the USA, people spend billions of dollars between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday, when online retailers offer discounts). The idea of Black Friday has also spread around the world. Many countries, including the UK and Canada, also hold Black Friday sales. In parts of the Middle East, the same idea is called ‘White Friday’, as the colour white has more positive cultural associations. In Turkey, shoppers look for bargains on Efsane Cuma or ‘Legendary Friday’.
Is Black Friday out of control?
Many of us enjoy getting a bargain, but some people think that Black Friday encourages us to buy things we don’t really need or can’t afford. Some critics also say that Black Friday is difficult for small shopkeepers because they can’t offer the same big discounts as large companies, especially now that big shops start their sales earlier and continue them for several weeks. There is also growing concern about the effects of consumerism on the planet.
What’s the alternative to Black Friday?
Instead of taking the opportunity to buy as much as possible on Black Friday, you could do the opposite and buy absolutely nothing. Movements like ‘Buy Nothing Day’ and ‘Green Friday’ encourage people to support charities or local communities instead of shopping. Since 1997, Buy Nothing Day has been held on the same day as Black Friday. The rules are simple. Just don’t buy anything at all for 24 hours. Many people are surprised how difficult this actually is. The aim is to make people think more about their spending and to make better decisions about what they buy and where they buy it from.
Ethical spending
As well as spending less and not buying unnecessary items, Buy Nothing Day aims to raise awareness of how to be a more ethical consumer. For example, you can avoid buying ‘fast fashion’, that is, very cheap clothes that are worn a few times before being thrown away. Or you could decide not to automatically upgrade your mobile at the end of a contract. These kinds of decisions can help to protect the environment as well as saving you money.
What else can you do on Buy Nothing Day?
Some people carry out protests at shopping centres. Others avoid the shops completely and go for a walk in nature instead. Another alternative, the Buy Nothing Coat Exchange, is an idea that is spreading. People donate winter coats throughout November, and anyone who needs one can come and take one on Buy Nothing Day.
Hi guys
I want to share my opinion about this subject with you. So many people wait for Black Friday throughout the year to get something cheaper. Don't get me wrong but ı don't think so. Actually, in my mind, there is no discount on this day. It is a wrong belief that is made by big retailers. They raise prices before Black Friday and then the Prices come to the main price on Black Friday. As a consequence of this trick, ı don't get anything on this day. I celebrate Buy Nothing Day. Have a nice day :)
What will you do on Black Friday and Buy Nothing Day this year? Do you agree that people buy things they don’t need and can’t afford?
In my country, there is no such kind of market. Black Friday in my country is not possible because I'm from India there are several cheap markets like Sarojini market, Palika Bajar, Karol Bagh, and Chandni chook. here clothes are cheap and everyone effort it according to their needs. I always purchase dresses 1time in the 6month. it is enough if you spend little money and buy more dresses.
I am not really a shopping guy. New phones, computers, clothes and all other things that excite majoirty of people never really get me enthusiastic, or anything close really. Just seems like a waste of money at most parts to me. So as you've probably guessed, I am not a big fan of Black Friday.
The whole purpose to go shopping is for people to buy products they need way cheaper in big discounts. What do they do? Spend more money on things they really don't need.
From this article I've learned that small shopkeepers get harm by all this nonsense, and to be honest I really feel bad for them.
Too many will disagree by the idea of erasing this day, and I can identify because I have friends who use this day smartly and wait for it to buy things they've been waiting for a period. I don't even want to think how the public will react to this idea anyway.
About Buy Nothing Day, I have never actually knew it exists but now I'm glad it does. Of course most of the people won't follow it, cause they can't see or feel or get excited by the benefits.
I think I would buy necessary things on black Friday because some items that are on stock are at a good price. Just things I really need and can afford.
But, you always overpass