(no subject)

[felis_ultharus]

I've been seeing Canadians trying to explain Boxing Day to people in countries without it. Let me see if I can try.

Remember that episode of Star Trek, the original series, where a computer called Landru is running the entire planet? Remember how they arrive at the Festival, and it's a giant orgy in the streets, with people breaking windows and looting, and then the next day the planet's population returns to being friendly, contented socialists?

Ever wonder how Canadians stay so polite?

If you're ever caught in a Boxing Day special riot, keep your head down, and try to protect your eyes. Some people may try to harvest you for organs, to pay for their purchases. Use whatever force is necessary to protect yourself -- unexplained disappearances are common on this day, and a 10% fatality rate is considered well within acceptable losses.

Comments

[montrealais.livejournal.com]

metaquotes?

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Certainly, if you wish ^_^

[yumemisama.livejournal.com]

Return of the Archons.

If visiting Canada during Boxing Day, therefore, it is recommended that you procure the services of a better sociologist than the one who screwed up Sulu's costume in the beginning, lest you be discovered. Also, if it becomes necessary to face down the central computer in a battle of corrupted logic, the best person to call is probably William Shatner.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Because nobody's logic is more corrupted than Kirk's...? :p

'Twas a good episode, though.

[infinitecomplex.livejournal.com]

We came close to causing a fatality, but that was the jackass sales assistant who turned around and walked away from us to help some couple looking at $3000 fridges after we'd waited in line nearly 30 minutes to purchase a $250 dishwasher from him. Commission-based sales staff are a bad bad thing. (I would have been much more grumpy about this if we hadn't managed to purchase one of the last three $250 dishwashers online when we got back.) You were quite right about how much more uncivilized the sales vultures are in Vic, as well. They're pretty polite here in Van.

Next year I think we'll stay in with you and watch Portal clips on YouTube rather than venturing into the sales.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Your self-restraint is a model to us all ^_^

And you guys should get Portal -- it's a short game, and very fun. Too bad it's packaged with two other games (one good, but a sequel to a long-running series you can't understand without the rest, and the other plotless ultra-violence).

[jenjoou.livejournal.com]

Every year I tell myself that Boxing day isn't worth the harm done to my mental and physical wellbeing and every year I go. My family would always go out together and buy one big Christmas gift when all the electronics went on sale. There was no reason for me to go last year though as I live on my own now but still I went. I'm hoping to break that record this year. Why spend 5-6 hours in crowds and lines, being jabbed, shoved and other, less friendly things when I could be spending that time shooting teenagers in the head? Much more civilized. ;)

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Agreed ^_^

(I sometimes wonder what those concerned parents groups will do if they ever discover that Persona 3 game -- probably have collective heart attacks.)

[maidenofirisa.livejournal.com]

I've worked on Boxing Day for the past few years. This year I had the day off so I decided to go shopping. I went in the Eaton Centre. Alright so I didn't go to Future Shop, known for seeing some crazy things on boxing day. I still don't get what all the fuss is about. Some stores had lines and they were only allowing a few people at the time. Apart from that it was like any other shopping day except that it wasn't as busy as the 23rd or the 24th had been. I was expecting so drama and I was disappointed. :(

Worse, most people I met were actually polite when they bumped into me ;) I have to admit they were a lot of cops and security and one car accident. (Not caused by boxing day but caused by one very stupid driver and one not really stupid but kind of lost old woman)

Maybe things are just so much worse when you work but as far as a shopping day went, it wasn't that bad. One thing: The sales are not nearly as great as they are made out to be.

My name is Em, I'll be your shopping maven this evening

[em-fish.livejournal.com]

You just have to know WHICH sales to hit.

Blow-your-kneecaps-off great deals: Clothing, winter coats, DVDs, SOME major appliances

Middling: Shoes, books & stationary, calendars, housewares (if you know where to look), perfume & cologne, video games

Might as well not bother: Most electronics (Every store has a few door-crashers, but they have about 10 of those per store & they are gone by 9:20 AM - it's a total bait-and-switch)**, small appliances, toiletries, food & drink.

**I went to Best Buy's site and their "iPod sale" was "$10 off iPod touch and $5 off the new nano - until December 27th ONLY!"
I couldn't believe it. As if THAT's a sale! Seriously, I would rather wait two weeks and avoid the crowds and buy my iPod in peace, thanks. That is worth five dollars.

Re: My name is Em, I'll be your shopping maven this evening

[maidenofirisa.livejournal.com]

That was my main issue, some clothing stores had 50% everything and they weren't that crowded sure they were packed but you could still move around.

When it came to electronic stores they had lineups but the sales were not really that great.

For the record, I fail a boxing day shopping. I realised yesterday that the two things I bought (while super-discounted) were already discounted before Boxing Day. Yay me for buying non-boxing day specials on boxing day. :)

Re: My name is Em, I'll be your shopping maven this evening

[montrealais.livejournal.com]

Every store has a few door-crashers, but they have about 10 of those per store

The Bureau en Gros flyer actually listed a minimum number of how many of each item each store would have.

I made out like a bandit on my laptop, but it was in liquidation and there are apparently comparable sales at other times, not just BD.

Re: My name is Em, I'll be your shopping maven this evening

[infinitecomplex.livejournal.com]

This is true. Apart from the dishwasher, which we could have gotten online anyway (and ultimately did because of the jackass sales assistant), the only killer deal I got this year was a new ski outfit - pants and jacket.

I'm inclined to think that unless you save at least $150, there's just no way to justify being involved in Boxing Week sales. As you say, it's worth the extra money just to avoid the crazed, pulsating mass of humanity that is your typical sales crowd.

Re: My name is Em, I'll be your shopping maven this evening

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Don't know if I'd want to go for that Lord of the Flies shopping experience for a winter coat or a DVD :/

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

It's not quite as bad here, I've noticed. In Victoria, it's chaos -- all those elderly people are driven mad by the scent of a bargain, like pirahnas with blood -- and like pirahnas with a cow, they can skeletonize a store in minutes.

Last year, I went down to exchange a pair of pants at the Bay Centre in downtown Victoria. This was early morning on the 27th. Racks had been knocked over, and the floor was litered with clothes still from the day before.