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.
It is very interesting for me.Especially Buy Nothing day Because I can save a lot of money this day.However Black Friday is not good because Friday is very important and decarative day in my religion.Usually people go to masque this day for a Jumah pray.Therefore Buy Nothing day useful for me not religion.Black Friday is not good for me.
I could say that we should educate ourselves to understand the consequences of consumerism because we affect other people throwing away a lot of garbage that arrives other places in the world. Also when we buy things that we don’t need , we will most likely throw them away quickly
So, the Black Friday must be culturally transformed
i actually do think that yes a lot of people buy stuff that they dont need not just because its black friday and there are a lot of discounts but also bcs of influencers and people around us who do exactly the same thing thats why we start thinking "yeah ,why dont i just go and buy that or this " in order to be involved in such an international campaign
Lovely article, It was a pleasure ot know new information. For instance, I haven`t known with the Buy Nothing day concept
I would prefer to answer the second question first. In my opinion, this issue largely depends on individual spending habits. While I agree that many people end up buying things they don't need, those with self-control can benefit greatly from Black Friday sales. Personally, I try to avoid impulse buying. For instance, I actually need a new television, so Black Friday presents a perfect opportunity for me to make a smart purchase.
I can not buy anything on Black Friday. Because people buy fast. Last year I bought anything.
I think i'm not gonne buy a lot of stuf this year, but i wil look at some websites to see if there are discounts for items i realy need. I think buy nothing day is unnecessary beceause why will you buy nothing if you need something important. I don't agree that people buy stuff that they can't afford beceause you need to think if you buy something, like if you can afford it or if you need it.
Black Friday is always a crazy day great and the perfect moment to grab something you’ve been wanting for. Just remember to shop smart! And Black Friday is kinda cool. Everyone’s running around for deals and I’m just here trying to see if I can get something cool without going broke.
Well, I think that people can buy whatever they want on Black Friday but only if they can afford it.
Maybe I will buy some clothes or something or electronics only if I can afford it.
I Will buy nothing this year for Black Friday because i don't really need something and I think Black Friday is a good opportunity to buy some things for a discounted price but only if you really need something because otherwhise you will waste your money on stuff that you don't need.