i understand that. i just think it's really uncool to come back to the thread and state what other people say about a certain individual. that sort of thing should be left for a PM. it's not cool at all.
just my opinion.
Fair enough....
I dont think it was too cool to tell me I live in a bubble......
I dont think it was too cool to tell me I bring nothing to a topic......
Respect works both ways.....right????
Post edited by SPEEDY MCCREADY on
Take me piece by piece..... Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
i understand that. i just think it's really uncool to come back to the thread and state what other people say about a certain individual. that sort of thing should be left for a PM. it's not cool at all.
just my opinion.
Fair enough....
I dont think it was to cool to tell me I live in a bubble......
I dont think it was to cool to tell me I bring nothing to a topic......
i understand that. i just think it's really uncool to come back to the thread and state what other people say about a certain individual. that sort of thing should be left for a PM. it's not cool at all.
just my opinion.
Fair enough....
I dont think it was to cool to tell me I live in a bubble......
I dont think it was to cool to tell me I bring nothing to a topic......
Respect works both ways.....right????
absolutely.
Merry Christmas!!!
Take me piece by piece..... Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
The same thing every year...
A chance to get together with my family, feast, exchange gifts, spend some time with my parents. Watch my nieces and nephews open their gifts. Get together with my cousin John and his wife Debby, who I dont see enough of, and spend some time catching up. Its a time where myself and loved ones can gather together, and just forget about are busy, hectic, everyday nonsense that we all go through, and just spend a day or two enjoying each others company and sharing stories and laughs. Its a time to call old friends and see how life is treating them and their loved ones.
From my perspective, all the consumerism easily just gets in the way of the part I bolded, which is what everyone seems to be agreeing that Christmas is all about. When I or those around me buy into the messages we receive about how Christmas is about buying gifts, for instance, it only serves to make the holiday more busy and hectic than ever, with more thought put into the process of buying, wrapping, and delivering the gifts than into the process of actually enjoying time together.
My aunt and her family go to see our grandmother for about 3 days every Thanksgiving. Yet she doesn't spend the day after Thanksgiving with our grandmother; instead she spends it frantically doing Black Friday shopping, camping out in front of electronics stores, yelling at her kids and husband in her frantic attempts to get the best stuff. My other aunt meets us at our other grandmother's house every year for Christmas, but spends the entire time in the kitchen, fratically baking cookies to give to everyone, instead of actually spending time with us. And my mom is forever stressed out in the days before Christmas trying to get all the perfect gifts for everyone else, ignoring our pleas that what we really want most is for her to relax and enjoy her holidays.
Perhaps these are the kinds of scenarios Jeanwah would like to avoid, in an attempt to preverve the joy of Christmas that you both value.
Yet you never really add anything to the topic. You just like to come on here and stick it to people.
Well, here's your chance. What's your story? What does Christmas mean to you.
Funny...
I had the same conversation about you today.
How you never seem to add anything or have anything nice to say.......
And I am not here to stick it to anybody...
I just dont understand how anyone can just say "I hate Christmas" I dont get it, and never will.....
Oh well..
What does Christmas mean to me??
The same thing every year...
A chance to get together with my family, feast, exchange gifts, spend some time with my parents. Watch my nieces and nephews open their gifts. Get together with my cousin John and his wife Debby, who I dont see enough of, and spend some time catching up. Its a time where myself and loved ones can gather together, and just forget about are busy, hectic, everyday nonsense that we all go through, and just spend a day or two enjoying each others company and sharing stories and laughs. Its a time to call old friends and see how life is treating them and their loved ones.
I fucking love Christmas......
Whatever Speedy. Should I be flattered that you feel the need to talk about what I write on other forums?
You may not like what I wrote above, but this isn't the first time you come on MT and interrogate me. I'm not upset about it, but merely stating it as an observation. Why do you do that? I never add anything or have anything nice to say? Have you read through this thread?! And this is a debate forum, if I didn't add anything, I wouldn't really be debating.
And thanks for your input about what you like about Christmas. It verifies that Christmas doesn't come from a store. Christmas, perhaps, means just a little bit more.
Oh, and Christmas means different things to different people. Many people suffer depression, sickness and detachment from loved ones at Christmas. It doesn't equal joy and gifts to all people. Try and be open to other's perspectives.
Yet you never really add anything to the topic. You just like to come on here and stick it to people.
Well, here's your chance. What's your story? What does Christmas mean to you.
Funny...
I had the same conversation about you today.
How you never seem to add anything or have anything nice to say.......
Oh well....
And I am not here to stick it to anybody...
I just dont understand how anyone can just say "I hate Christmas" I dont get it, and never will.....
Oh well..
What does Christmas mean to me??
The same thing every year...
A chance to get together with my family, feast, exchange gifts, spend some time with my parents. Watch my nieces and nephews open their gifts. Get together with my cousin John and his wife Debby, who I dont see enough of, and spend some time catching up. Its a time where myself and loved ones can gather together, and just forget about are busy, hectic, everyday nonsense that we all go through, and just spend a day or two enjoying each others company and sharing stories and laughs. Its a time to call old friends and see how life is treating them and their loved ones.
I fucking love Christmas......
Whatever Speedy. Should I be flattered that you feel the need to talk about what I write on other forums?
You may not like what I wrote above, but this isn't the first time you come on MT and interrogate me. I'm not upset about it, but merely stating it as an observation. Why do you do that? I never add anything or have anything nice to say? Have you read through this thread?!
And thanks for your input about what you like about Christmas. It verifies that Christmas doesn't come from a store. Christmas, perhaps, means just a little bit more.
I dont interrogate anyone...
I ask questions...
When people come on this board and make statements such as
"I hate Christmas"
"The world is going to shit"
"We need to start a revolution"
Im sorry...
But I am going to ask questions.......
Whatever is right....
Have a Merry Christmas.....
Take me piece by piece..... Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
The same thing every year...
A chance to get together with my family, feast, exchange gifts, spend some time with my parents. Watch my nieces and nephews open their gifts. Get together with my cousin John and his wife Debby, who I dont see enough of, and spend some time catching up. Its a time where myself and loved ones can gather together, and just forget about are busy, hectic, everyday nonsense that we all go through, and just spend a day or two enjoying each others company and sharing stories and laughs. Its a time to call old friends and see how life is treating them and their loved ones.
From my perspective, all the consumerism easily just gets in the way of the part I bolded, which is what everyone seems to be agreeing that Christmas is all about. When I or those around me buy into the messages we receive about how Christmas is about buying gifts, for instance, it only serves to make the holiday more busy and hectic than ever, with more thought put into the process of buying, wrapping, and delivering the gifts than into the process of actually enjoying time together.
My aunt and her family go to see our grandmother for about 3 days every Thanksgiving. Yet she doesn't spend the day after Thanksgiving with our grandmother; instead she spends it frantically doing Black Friday shopping, camping out in front of electronics stores, yelling at her kids and husband in her frantic attempts to get the best stuff. My other aunt meets us at our other grandmother's house every year for Christmas, but spends the entire time in the kitchen, fratically baking cookies to give to everyone, instead of actually spending time with us. And my mom is forever stressed out in the days before Christmas trying to get all the perfect gifts for everyone else, ignoring our pleas that what we really want most is for her to relax and enjoy her holidays.
Perhaps these are the kinds of scenarios Jeanwah would like to avoid, in an attempt to preverve the joy of Christmas that you both value.
YES!! I admit, I've been guilty of staying up late getting baking done in the past. It's all so stressful, and it needn't be. I've actually asked my parents, who have 5 of us kids, our spouses, and 20 grandkids, to slash their lists, because Christmas shouldn't be about them pleasing everyone else materialistically. So they just buy for the grandkids now. It's so nice seeing them less stressed.
The same thing every year...
A chance to get together with my family, feast, exchange gifts, spend some time with my parents. Watch my nieces and nephews open their gifts. Get together with my cousin John and his wife Debby, who I dont see enough of, and spend some time catching up. Its a time where myself and loved ones can gather together, and just forget about are busy, hectic, everyday nonsense that we all go through, and just spend a day or two enjoying each others company and sharing stories and laughs. Its a time to call old friends and see how life is treating them and their loved ones.
From my perspective, all the consumerism easily just gets in the way of the part I bolded, which is what everyone seems to be agreeing that Christmas is all about. When I or those around me buy into the messages we receive about how Christmas is about buying gifts, for instance, it only serves to make the holiday more busy and hectic than ever, with more thought put into the process of buying, wrapping, and delivering the gifts than into the process of actually enjoying time together.
My aunt and her family go to see our grandmother for about 3 days every Thanksgiving. Yet she doesn't spend the day after Thanksgiving with our grandmother; instead she spends it frantically doing Black Friday shopping, camping out in front of electronics stores, yelling at her kids and husband in her frantic attempts to get the best stuff. My other aunt meets us at our other grandmother's house every year for Christmas, but spends the entire time in the kitchen, fratically baking cookies to give to everyone, instead of actually spending time with us. And my mom is forever stressed out in the days before Christmas trying to get all the perfect gifts for everyone else, ignoring our pleas that what we really want most is for her to relax and enjoy her holidays.
Perhaps these are the kinds of scenarios Jeanwah would like to avoid, in an attempt to preverve the joy of Christmas that you both value.
I just can't see how people blame the idea consumerism and not the people who do it. No one is making your aunt desert your grandma and camp out in front of Best Buy, or making your other aunt ignore the family to bake.
To me blaming the holiday (and the marketing hoopla around it) for people acting foolishly would be like blaming Pearl Jam if someone racks up a lot of debt and loses their job because they decided to travel to Europe to see a dozen shows. I'd just rather blame people for the unwise decisions that they make.
My whole life
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
0
g under p
Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
Yet you never really add anything to the topic. You just like to come on here and stick it to people.
Well, here's your chance. What's your story? What does Christmas mean to you.
Funny...
I had the same conversation about you today.
How you never seem to add anything or have anything nice to say.......
And I am not here to stick it to anybody...
I just dont understand how anyone can just say "I hate Christmas" I dont get it, and never will.....
Oh well..
What does Christmas mean to me??
The same thing every year...
A chance to get together with my family, feast, exchange gifts, spend some time with my parents. Watch my nieces and nephews open their gifts. Get together with my cousin John and his wife Debby, who I dont see enough of, and spend some time catching up. Its a time where myself and loved ones can gather together, and just forget about are busy, hectic, everyday nonsense that we all go through, and just spend a day or two enjoying each others company and sharing stories and laughs. Its a time to call old friends and see how life is treating them and their loved ones.
I fucking love Christmas......
Whatever Speedy. Should I be flattered that you feel the need to talk about what I write on other forums?
You may not like what I wrote above, but this isn't the first time you come on MT and interrogate me. I'm not upset about it, but merely stating it as an observation. Why do you do that? I never add anything or have anything nice to say? Have you read through this thread?! And this is a debate forum, if I didn't add anything, I wouldn't really be debating.
And thanks for your input about what you like about Christmas. It verifies that Christmas doesn't come from a store. Christmas, perhaps, means just a little bit more.
Oh, and Christmas means different things to different people. Many people suffer depression, sickness and detachment from loved ones at Christmas. It doesn't equal joy and gifts to all people. Try and be open to other's perspectives.
That is so true. I met someone from this forum and this time of year that person is alone and not too happy about the holidays. I try to keep that person's spirits up as times are very difficult. I'll send that person some honeybell oranges whenever i arrive in Florida just the right sweet thing from the sunshine state. Like i said before I'd rather give something to someone else because to me there's no better feeling than what it does to those receiving your gifts.
Peace
Post edited by g under p on
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
The world is going to shit
The government sucks
My job sucks
I hate Christmas......
Did I say "my job sucks"? -no-
Did I actually say those words..."I hate Christmas"? -no-
Does that warrent you to talk about me to your "friends"?
And since when do my opinions truly affect you anyway? This is a debate forum, I have lots of thoughts going on in my head, can't I simply write them down and get feedback? I am a skeptical person, I'm not a cynic, I'm actually quite positive about life in general. So why the need, Speedy. If you don't like what I write, simply don't read.
The world is going to shit
The government sucks
My job sucks
I hate Christmas......
Did I say "my job sucks"? -no-
Did I actually say those words..."I hate Christmas"? -no-
Does that warrent you to talk about me to your "friends"?
And since when do my opinions truly affect you anyway? This is a debate forum, I have lots of thoughts going on in my head, can't I simply write them down and get feedback? I am a skeptical person, I'm not a cynic, I'm actually quite positive about life in general. So why the need, Speedy. If you don't like what I write, simply don't read.
You have a good day.
Oh Im sorry ...
You used the words...
"I hate giftmas"
Like that makes a big fucking difference.....
again...
Have a Merry Christmas...........
Take me piece by piece..... Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
I had the same conversation about you today.
How you never seem to have anything nice to say about anything.
How you never really add anything but negativity and hatred.
i understand that. i just think it's really uncool to come back to the thread and state what other people say about a certain individual. that sort of thing should be left for a PM. it's not cool at all.
The world is going to shit
The government sucks
My job sucks
I hate Christmas......
Did I say "my job sucks"? -no-
Did I actually say those words..."I hate Christmas"? -no-
Does that warrent you to talk about me to your "friends"?
And since when do my opinions truly affect you anyway? This is a debate forum, I have lots of thoughts going on in my head, can't I simply write them down and get feedback? I am a skeptical person, I'm not a cynic, I'm actually quite positive about life in general. So why the need, Speedy. If you don't like what I write, simply don't read.
You have a good day.
You ask for feedback???
I give you feedback......
I never said I dont like what you write....
I said I question what you write......
The problem here is simple...
YOU dont like to be questioned on your beliefs and attitudes....It makes you defensive and insulting....
YOU are the one who says we should ask questions and not act like sheep...
But when YOU are questioned....
Well....
We know what happens......
Take me piece by piece..... Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
I never said I dont like what you write....
I said I question what you write......
The problem here is simple...
YOU dont like to be questioned on your beliefs and attitudes....It makes you defensive and insulting....
YOU are the one who says we should ask questions and not act like sheep...
But when YOU are questioned....
Well....
We know what happens......
I love being questioned, how not to grow if you can't ponder why you believe what you believe.
And I've answered all of your questions in the past, too bad it's not to your pleasing.
And the word "Giftmas" is not the same as "Christmas". Read between the lines. Giftmas is what Christmas has become...a focus on consumerism and gifts, rather that the real meaning behind the holiday.
Christmas season makes up how much of total retail sales????
10%
20%
30%
Who has the answer?????
If people didnt go out and buy the Clappers and gifts made in China...
If little Johnny didnt get his power ranger doll....
If little Mary didnt get her little Barbie doll....
If Christmas in the USA didnt exist...
What would happen to the economy??
How many retailers would be out of business???
How many college kids who come home to work the holiday month.....Would be shit out of luck????
How many full time employees would be let go.....If the Christmas shopping season didnt exist????
People should be fucking thrilled that a large majority of us have NO FUCKING PROBLEM going out and spending a weeks pay on Christmas gifts for our loved ones.....
Take me piece by piece..... Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
I have a media marketing degree because I loved the psychology and business behind advertising. Now I can't stand what it does to people. It's really quite sick the intentional manipulation it plays and society that falls for it all.
Things do not equal happiness. Obligatory spending at Christmas is nothing but what society expects, even when most gifts are crap and things that no one even truly needs or wants.
I would hate to have the outlook that you have...
The world is going to shit
The government sucks
My job sucks
I hate Christmas......
I have a media marketing degree because I loved the psychology and business behind advertising. Now I can't stand what it does to people. It's really quite sick the intentional manipulation it plays and society that falls for it all.
Things do not equal happiness. Obligatory spending at Christmas is nothing but what society expects, even when most gifts are crap and things that no one even truly needs or wants.
I would hate to have the outlook that you have...
The world is going to shit
The government sucks
My job sucks
I hate Christmas......
Hardly what I call valuable feedback.
Jeanwah...
Enough already...
Let it go....
I could bring up your "valuable feedback" too....
Lets try to act like adults here...
And just let it go......
Fair enough????
Take me piece by piece..... Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
Christmas season makes up how much of total retail sales????
10%
20%
30%
Who has the answer?????
If people didnt go out and buy the Clappers and gifts made in China...
If little Johnny didnt get his power ranger doll....
If little Mary didnt get her little Barbie doll....
If Christmas in the USA didnt exist...
What would happen to the economy??
How many retailers would be out of business???
How many college kids who come home to work the holiday month.....Would be shit out of luck????
How many full time employees would be let go.....If the Christmas shopping season didnt exist????
People should be fucking thrilled that a large majority of us have NO FUCKING PROBLEM going out and spending a weeks pay on Christmas gifts for our loved ones.....
Jeanwah...
This one is for you.....
Take me piece by piece..... Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
Lets try to act like adults here...
And just let it go......
Fair enough????
Quit targeting me, Speedy. It's obvious, and do you really want to talk about immaturity here?
Talking about me on another forum and then coming back here to talk about it? Really, now.
You. Let it go.
soo ... now christmas is about saving the economy?? ...
we soooo live in a false existence ... sad really ... oh well - whatever it is, at least this is a time that some people take time to ponder what truly is important ...
Christmas season makes up how much of total retail sales????
10%
20%
30%
Who has the answer?????
If people didnt go out and buy the Clappers and gifts made in China...
If little Johnny didnt get his power ranger doll....
If little Mary didnt get her little Barbie doll....
If Christmas in the USA didnt exist...
What would happen to the economy??
How many retailers would be out of business???
How many college kids who come home to work the holiday month.....Would be shit out of luck????
How many full time employees would be let go.....If the Christmas shopping season didnt exist????
People should be fucking thrilled that a large majority of us have NO FUCKING PROBLEM going out and spending a weeks pay on Christmas gifts for our loved ones.....
Borders is downsizing, closing 20 stores in order to become more profitable. Company sprawl does not mean bigger profits, it means bigger costs and more reliability to attain profits, especially in the 4th quarter. They're closing some of their stores because they know they will be more profitable with a smaller company. This trend is spreading. Your theory that Christmas sales are necessary is typical and one I've heard many times. Fact is, the world does not run on Dunkin Donuts, nor does it run on your money. But businesses would like you to believe it does. Businesses want you to think they'll die if you don't buy yourself into debt.
Retailers in a franchise are victims of sprawl. Out of business? Hardly, not if they follow Border's model. It's about smart business, not placing pressure on consumer's shoulders, to keep their sprawl alive.
soo ... now christmas is about saving the economy?? ...
we soooo live in a false existence ... sad really ... oh well - whatever it is, at least this is a time that some people take time to ponder what truly is important ...
soo ... now christmas is about saving the economy?? ...
we soooo live in a false existence ... sad really ... oh well - whatever it is, at least this is a time that some people take time to ponder what truly is important ...
I never said Christmas is saving anything...
I asked if anyone knew what percentage of retailers profits are made during ther Christmas season....
How many of those retailers put college kids, high school kids, people looking for part time work, to work for a couple months???
Take me piece by piece..... Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
0
g under p
Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
I never said I dont like what you write....
I said I question what you write......
The problem here is simple...
YOU dont like to be questioned on your beliefs and attitudes....It makes you defensive and insulting....
YOU are the one who says we should ask questions and not act like sheep...
But when YOU are questioned....
Well....
We know what happens......
I love being questioned, how not to grow if you can't ponder why you believe what you believe.
And I've answered all of your questions in the past, too bad it's not to your pleasing.
And the word "Giftmas" is not the same as "Christmas". Read between the lines. Giftmas is what Christmas has become...a focus on consumerism and gifts, rather that the real meaning behind the holiday.
You are so correct, I do believe Christmas is about the birth and celebration of Jesus Christ, am i right on that? It seems to have been lost in the sauce and has become as you say *Giftmas*. I like that terminology, it's appropriate to what this season has become.
Peace
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
From my perspective, all the consumerism easily just gets in the way of the part I bolded, which is what everyone seems to be agreeing that Christmas is all about. When I or those around me buy into the messages we receive about how Christmas is about buying gifts, for instance, it only serves to make the holiday more busy and hectic than ever, with more thought put into the process of buying, wrapping, and delivering the gifts than into the process of actually enjoying time together.
My aunt and her family go to see our grandmother for about 3 days every Thanksgiving. Yet she doesn't spend the day after Thanksgiving with our grandmother; instead she spends it frantically doing Black Friday shopping, camping out in front of electronics stores, yelling at her kids and husband in her frantic attempts to get the best stuff. My other aunt meets us at our other grandmother's house every year for Christmas, but spends the entire time in the kitchen, fratically baking cookies to give to everyone, instead of actually spending time with us. And my mom is forever stressed out in the days before Christmas trying to get all the perfect gifts for everyone else, ignoring our pleas that what we really want most is for her to relax and enjoy her holidays.
Perhaps these are the kinds of scenarios Jeanwah would like to avoid, in an attempt to preverve the joy of Christmas that you both value.
I just can't see how people blame the idea consumerism and not the people who do it. No one is making your aunt desert your grandma and camp out in front of Best Buy, or making your other aunt ignore the family to bake.
To me blaming the holiday (and the marketing hoopla around it) for people acting foolishly would be like blaming Pearl Jam if someone racks up a lot of debt and loses their job because they decided to travel to Europe to see a dozen shows. I'd just rather blame people for the unwise decisions that they make.
No one is blaming the holiday.
It's the consumer attitude that's the problem, whether that manifests itself in the actions of my aunts or in TV commercials. That's not necessarily to say that one manifestation caused the other and is to blame while the other is an innocent victim. It's just two different parts of the same animal.
I asked if anyone knew what percentage of retailers profits are made during ther Christmas season....
How many of those retailers put college kids, high school kids, people looking for part time work, to work for a couple months???
ok ... i took your what would happen to the economy as a statement that it we needed to buy in order to save businesses ...
either way - it's a false reality ... the circle isn't a closed loop ... we buy/sell/manufacture way too much shit and there are consequences that go beyond the economy ... we've been brainwashed to think the economy is our lifeline (gdp) ... if our economy isn't growing - things are shit ...
Wow, how can Christmas create so much tension? The original poster is entitled to his opinion but I have to disagree totally with his view of Christmas. Its a wonderful time of the year when families and friends come together and put everything else aside. I get the point about expensive gifts a,d cars and diamonds. I agree with you there but just dont buy them, and dude, stop watching telly if it turns you into a rabid buyer. I dont let advertising get past my eye lenses. Im a retailers worst nightmare. Noone can make me part with my money unless I have thought it through and feel that what Im buying is going to be a benefit to the person intended. Christmas is about sharing and hopefully re connecting with the people you love. Good food, drink and conversation. Some time off work for most.
I work at a christmas soup kitchen in the morning (7am til 2pm) on the day and then go home for dinner with my family, pop around and see friends. Get home at about 8pm and get drunk and listen to PJ, have more food. Thats a magical day and I love it. If someone has no where to go that day and wants to have dinner with me and my family then they are welcome, the more the better in my opinion. Some might be eating cheese and crackers but we have plenty of drink :-)
Anyways, christmas is a fantastic time and I love it!
:thumbup:
0
g under p
Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
For a change of pace, this is played to one of my favorite instrumentals *Cliffs Of Dover* by Eric Johnson
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Comments
I dont think it was too cool to tell me I live in a bubble......
I dont think it was too cool to tell me I bring nothing to a topic......
Respect works both ways.....right????
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
:wave:
From my perspective, all the consumerism easily just gets in the way of the part I bolded, which is what everyone seems to be agreeing that Christmas is all about. When I or those around me buy into the messages we receive about how Christmas is about buying gifts, for instance, it only serves to make the holiday more busy and hectic than ever, with more thought put into the process of buying, wrapping, and delivering the gifts than into the process of actually enjoying time together.
My aunt and her family go to see our grandmother for about 3 days every Thanksgiving. Yet she doesn't spend the day after Thanksgiving with our grandmother; instead she spends it frantically doing Black Friday shopping, camping out in front of electronics stores, yelling at her kids and husband in her frantic attempts to get the best stuff. My other aunt meets us at our other grandmother's house every year for Christmas, but spends the entire time in the kitchen, fratically baking cookies to give to everyone, instead of actually spending time with us. And my mom is forever stressed out in the days before Christmas trying to get all the perfect gifts for everyone else, ignoring our pleas that what we really want most is for her to relax and enjoy her holidays.
Perhaps these are the kinds of scenarios Jeanwah would like to avoid, in an attempt to preverve the joy of Christmas that you both value.
Whatever Speedy. Should I be flattered that you feel the need to talk about what I write on other forums?
You may not like what I wrote above, but this isn't the first time you come on MT and interrogate me. I'm not upset about it, but merely stating it as an observation. Why do you do that? I never add anything or have anything nice to say? Have you read through this thread?! And this is a debate forum, if I didn't add anything, I wouldn't really be debating.
And thanks for your input about what you like about Christmas. It verifies that Christmas doesn't come from a store. Christmas, perhaps, means just a little bit more.
Oh, and Christmas means different things to different people. Many people suffer depression, sickness and detachment from loved ones at Christmas. It doesn't equal joy and gifts to all people. Try and be open to other's perspectives.
I ask questions...
When people come on this board and make statements such as
"I hate Christmas"
"The world is going to shit"
"We need to start a revolution"
Im sorry...
But I am going to ask questions.......
Whatever is right....
Have a Merry Christmas.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
YES!! I admit, I've been guilty of staying up late getting baking done in the past. It's all so stressful, and it needn't be. I've actually asked my parents, who have 5 of us kids, our spouses, and 20 grandkids, to slash their lists, because Christmas shouldn't be about them pleasing everyone else materialistically. So they just buy for the grandkids now. It's so nice seeing them less stressed.
I just can't see how people blame the idea consumerism and not the people who do it. No one is making your aunt desert your grandma and camp out in front of Best Buy, or making your other aunt ignore the family to bake.
To me blaming the holiday (and the marketing hoopla around it) for people acting foolishly would be like blaming Pearl Jam if someone racks up a lot of debt and loses their job because they decided to travel to Europe to see a dozen shows. I'd just rather blame people for the unwise decisions that they make.
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
That is so true. I met someone from this forum and this time of year that person is alone and not too happy about the holidays. I try to keep that person's spirits up as times are very difficult. I'll send that person some honeybell oranges whenever i arrive in Florida just the right sweet thing from the sunshine state. Like i said before I'd rather give something to someone else because to me there's no better feeling than what it does to those receiving your gifts.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Did I actually say those words..."I hate Christmas"? -no-
Does that warrent you to talk about me to your "friends"?
And since when do my opinions truly affect you anyway? This is a debate forum, I have lots of thoughts going on in my head, can't I simply write them down and get feedback? I am a skeptical person, I'm not a cynic, I'm actually quite positive about life in general. So why the need, Speedy. If you don't like what I write, simply don't read.
You have a good day.
You used the words...
"I hate giftmas"
Like that makes a big fucking difference.....
again...
Have a Merry Christmas...........
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
I give you feedback......
I never said I dont like what you write....
I said I question what you write......
The problem here is simple...
YOU dont like to be questioned on your beliefs and attitudes....It makes you defensive and insulting....
YOU are the one who says we should ask questions and not act like sheep...
But when YOU are questioned....
Well....
We know what happens......
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
And I've answered all of your questions in the past, too bad it's not to your pleasing.
And the word "Giftmas" is not the same as "Christmas". Read between the lines. Giftmas is what Christmas has become...a focus on consumerism and gifts, rather that the real meaning behind the holiday.
Christmas and Consumerism...
Christmas season makes up how much of total retail sales????
10%
20%
30%
Who has the answer?????
If people didnt go out and buy the Clappers and gifts made in China...
If little Johnny didnt get his power ranger doll....
If little Mary didnt get her little Barbie doll....
If Christmas in the USA didnt exist...
What would happen to the economy??
How many retailers would be out of business???
How many college kids who come home to work the holiday month.....Would be shit out of luck????
How many full time employees would be let go.....If the Christmas shopping season didnt exist????
People should be fucking thrilled that a large majority of us have NO FUCKING PROBLEM going out and spending a weeks pay on Christmas gifts for our loved ones.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
This is your idea of feedback? Re-read page 1.
Hardly what I call valuable feedback.
Enough already...
Let it go....
I could bring up your "valuable feedback" too....
Lets try to act like adults here...
And just let it go......
Fair enough????
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
This one is for you.....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
Quit targeting me, Speedy. It's obvious, and do you really want to talk about immaturity here?
Talking about me on another forum and then coming back here to talk about it? Really, now.
You. Let it go.
we soooo live in a false existence ... sad really ... oh well - whatever it is, at least this is a time that some people take time to ponder what truly is important ...
Borders is downsizing, closing 20 stores in order to become more profitable. Company sprawl does not mean bigger profits, it means bigger costs and more reliability to attain profits, especially in the 4th quarter. They're closing some of their stores because they know they will be more profitable with a smaller company. This trend is spreading. Your theory that Christmas sales are necessary is typical and one I've heard many times. Fact is, the world does not run on Dunkin Donuts, nor does it run on your money. But businesses would like you to believe it does. Businesses want you to think they'll die if you don't buy yourself into debt.
Retailers in a franchise are victims of sprawl. Out of business? Hardly, not if they follow Border's model. It's about smart business, not placing pressure on consumer's shoulders, to keep their sprawl alive.
Hence, "Giftmas". :roll:
I asked if anyone knew what percentage of retailers profits are made during ther Christmas season....
How many of those retailers put college kids, high school kids, people looking for part time work, to work for a couple months???
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
You are so correct, I do believe Christmas is about the birth and celebration of Jesus Christ, am i right on that? It seems to have been lost in the sauce and has become as you say *Giftmas*. I like that terminology, it's appropriate to what this season has become.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
No one is blaming the holiday.
It's the consumer attitude that's the problem, whether that manifests itself in the actions of my aunts or in TV commercials. That's not necessarily to say that one manifestation caused the other and is to blame while the other is an innocent victim. It's just two different parts of the same animal.
ok ... i took your what would happen to the economy as a statement that it we needed to buy in order to save businesses ...
either way - it's a false reality ... the circle isn't a closed loop ... we buy/sell/manufacture way too much shit and there are consequences that go beyond the economy ... we've been brainwashed to think the economy is our lifeline (gdp) ... if our economy isn't growing - things are shit ...
it's fucked
Your RIGHT about that one!...I like THAT 'Terminology'...
:thumbup:
Christmas Light Hero
Peace during the Holidays
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)