I don’t get it.

Waiting in line at an ungodly hour just so you can save $20, $50, or even $100 bucks on a new toy that you want, but not necessarily need.

On Thanksgiving, a friend convinced me to get up at 3:30 am on Friday morning so they could try to get one of the monitors that was discounted from $249 to $129. I admit I was curious to what the stores were like on Black Friday because I’ve never been, at least not at 5 in the morning.

So off we went. At 3:30 in the morning. I’m not fully awake, mind you.

At Best Buy in Columbia, MD. the parking lots are FULL. the lines go out the door, past DSW, around the corner, and is starting to go out the back. I look at my friend and go, YOU really expect me to get out of this car and wait in line with you just because you want a monitor, one that you just want, not need. Granted, I understand the need for the new monitor, but it’s not of absolute necessity, at least not for the time being.

We roll out of the parking lot and head for Circuit City. It’s 4:45. Only 15 minutes until the stores open. The parking lot has caused a traffic jam onto route 40. People are also parking in the Home Depot lot. It’s full, not because people want to go to Home Depot, but because the Circuit City parking lot is full. (although there are people waiting outside of Home Depot until it opens, I questioned that). The line is outrageous. No way these people are going to get what they want.

I scratch my head in wonderment as to whether the people waiting in line are really going to get everything they want.

We try our luck at Office Depot. After 10 minutes of waiting in the car, we realize that they won’t be opening until 6 am. No way am I sitting in this car for another hour.

I made my friend promise that we will never ever ever ever get up at an ungodly hour just to get a good deal. It’s not worth it.

I still don’t get it. Waiting in lines for hours at a time, fighting someone for the last camera. It’s not worth it.

Later in the day, I meet some friends at Tyson’s Corner. I’m amazed at how many people car stalk other people just so they can get a parking spot near the front. I just drive until I find a spot which was 5 minutes later. See– I’ve never been to Tyson’s Corner. That’s one huge shopping center. No way would I ever want to shop here on a regular basis. Where do you begin?!

People are oblivious to other people. They let their kids wander back and forth, causing me to stumble and trip over my own 2 feet because I’m trying to stop myself from running a 5 year old over. I have to remind myself constantly, it’s the holidays, just breathe because you’re not in a hurry.

Families wander up and down the mall all lined up in a row, so no one can pass. THAT drives me insane. It’s like a race, trying to figure out when and how will I pass them. Mothers with strollers, stopping at every window and blocking your way. It’s crazy.

I don’t get why people would wait in line for hours just because they want the new Playstation 3, the WII, the XBox, the latest & best in toys, the best camera, the best new flat screen tv. Sure you save some money, but is it worth all the fighting & waiting in line & saving a couple bucks?

All I know is, I am never ever ever EVER getting up before 7 am on Black Friday. I think it’s CRAZY. I’ll be one of those curled up in my bed & snoozing the day away.