Black Friday: Why?

An American tradition, on the following Friday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday marks the shopping frenzy that becomes when prices are discounted, and essentially starts off the Christmas shopping season. Sounds harmless, but with it becoming known for it's trampling of shoppers, even shootings, what is the point? All of this for a bargain? And why now, has it been adopted by the UK?

Asda, of all places.

My initial thought was; "People are only starting their Christmas shopping now?!" - but then again, I'm extremely sensible when it comes to shopping and although I get heart palpitations and adrenaline rushes whenever close to a sample sale, Black Friday gets a groan from me. I don't agree with panic-buying whatsoever, I think that if you weren't going to buy it anyway, then what's the point? Do you really need three face creams? Do you really need half-off socks?

Now, I love a bargain as much as the next person, but why bring this horrific tradition to the UK? I think if the USA's crazed shopping habits are anything to go by, we shouldn't follow suit. It seems like it's just bad press after bad press. Hanging outside a store at 3am in the morning is just madness. And the strange thing is, it's getting earlier every year! Instead of it being Black Friday, it's becoming Grey Thursday.

So when is Black Friday okay? My personal opinion would be to take it out of the stores, and keep it online, just like Cyber Monday. This minimises the chances of death (unless your computer explodes in your face for adding too much stuff to your Amazon cart), and you're probably (probably, I can't guarantee this) not going to get shot. You can save your elbows the trouble by curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and your credit card. Black Friday could be a great business venture for small online business, so rather than feeding the mass-market, why not give your money to something that matters. 

What is your opinion on Black Friday? Did you have your elbows at the ready this weekend? If so, what bargains did you find?