Since the past few years, the idea of Black Friday has spread like a wildfire in Pakistan. Most people don’t really know what it means other than that is the day to go for shopping because nearly every brand and outlet is giving some sort of discount. So what is Black Friday all about? Let’s start with a bit of history.
Back in the 1950s in US, Black Friday was revealed as a busy shopping day even though its name had not originated yet. People began calling in sick the day after Thanksgiving to give themselves a four-day weekend. Since stores were open, those playing hooky got a head start on their holiday shopping. Rather than try to determine who was legitimately sick, businesses just added that day as another paid holiday. Police started using this term to describe the traffic jams that occurred on the two days after Thanksgiving. The roads, malls, and every outdoor shopping place was a chaos.
Since 2010, violence on Black Friday has increased. People lose their patience while standing in lines or waiting to find a parking spot. This is one of the most stressful times of the year for shoppers and law enforcement. In Pakistan as well, the concept of Black Friday has brought in scores of shoppers who might otherwise treat the day as any other. We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas but when it comes to shopping, who needs a reason to do it, right? For the people who think the term “Black Friday” has some religious connotation, I hope this article has helped you understand the real definition. Black Friday will be celebrated on November 29 this year. Happy Shopping!
