Last week marked the arrival of Black Friday in the U.K., a concept many Americans are all too familiar with. Originating in the United States, this shopping extravaganza occurs annually, leading to a collective awareness among Americans when someone casually mentions, “Hey, it’s Black Friday this week.”
In Britain, however, this notion was relatively obscure—at least until mid-week when it suddenly exploded into public consciousness. It felt as if everyone was buzzing about it, much like that summer when “Blurred Lines” was inescapable, despite the song’s questionable merit. The peculiar thing was, no one bothered to explain what Black Friday actually entailed. It was as if doing so would imply a lack of cultural understanding, leaving those unfamiliar scrambling to keep up.
People who had been blissfully unaware of this shopping day were now discussing plans and strategies, as if the entire nation had been converted overnight to a bizarre new custom. Someone—whether it was the Prime Minister or perhaps a clandestine group—had declared that Black Friday was now a part of British culture, and there was no turning back.
My irritation at the rapid adoption of this day was only compounded when I learned the reason behind the name “Black Friday.” Contrary to what one might assume, it has nothing to do with ominous events or historical tragedies. Instead, it simply refers to the increase in consumer spending during this shopping day. Incredibly, it might as well be called “The Day of Discounts,” but “Black Friday” has a certain allure, doesn’t it?
And so, against all odds, chaos ensued. Reports flooded in of overcrowded stores, police intervention, and even minor injuries—all in the name of consumerism. The BBC reported that a woman was injured by a falling television, which, while unfortunate, at least highlighted the enduring principles of gravity amidst the madness. Despite the upheaval, the U.K. did not descend into chaos; the gods of commerce seemed satisfied, and thus, we must have performed this newly adopted ritual correctly.
In just over a week, it became evident that Black Friday had taken root in British society. Retailers reveled in the surge of business, and media outlets eagerly capitalized on the hype. I suspect we’ll see Black Friday return next year, and the year after that, and the year after that. Thank you, America, for this unexpected gift.
In the spirit of this cultural exchange, perhaps we should share a uniquely British tradition in return. One candidate is the Welsh custom of Mari Lwyd, which involves a man carrying a horse’s skull adorned with ribbons from house to house on New Year’s Eve—certainly a spectacle worthy of attention. Have you got your horse skull ready? Time is ticking!
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In conclusion, Black Friday’s unexpected arrival in the U.K. illustrates how quickly cultural phenomena can spread. Whether you embrace it or resist it, it seems that this shopping day is here to stay.