Many Dutchies will remember that one Saturday in August when not only many other Dutchies flock the roads in France, but many Frenchies as well. Yep, Black Saturday or 'samedi noir' as
my friends in Quebec would say. And I did not choose the term 'flock' by coincidence. Oh no. Because to me the behavior of my fellow countrymen looks strikingly similar to that of a flock of sheep. I have never understood why people voluntarily choose to get toasted in their cars, while chewing on a soggy home-made sandwich, with kids screaming in the backseat, and a fuel gauge that is dropping faster than Felix Baumgartner. Surprisingly though, this behavior is not typically Dutch but has all the characteristics of a pandemic. After 'bloody Sunday', 'blue Monday', 'ruby 
Tuesday', and 'black Saturday' we also have 'black Friday'. The color, debatable I know, is aptly chosen, as it relates to the kind of sheepish behavior exhibited by motorists on that one day in August on the French roads.
Retailers have picked the last Friday in November as the day on which shoppers can save a lot of money. Or so they say. And it does not fall on deaf ears either as people without giving it another thought come in droves to the shops to buy whatever they can lay their hands on, not always what they need.
my friends in Quebec would say. And I did not choose the term 'flock' by coincidence. Oh no. Because to me the behavior of my fellow countrymen looks strikingly similar to that of a flock of sheep. I have never understood why people voluntarily choose to get toasted in their cars, while chewing on a soggy home-made sandwich, with kids screaming in the backseat, and a fuel gauge that is dropping faster than Felix Baumgartner. Surprisingly though, this behavior is not typically Dutch but has all the characteristics of a pandemic. After 'bloody Sunday', 'blue Monday', 'ruby Tuesday', and 'black Saturday' we also have 'black Friday'. The color, debatable I know, is aptly chosen, as it relates to the kind of sheepish behavior exhibited by motorists on that one day in August on the French roads. Retailers have picked the last Friday in November as the day on which shoppers can save a lot of money. Or so they say. And it does not fall on deaf ears either as people without giving it another thought come in droves to the shops to buy whatever they can lay their hands on, not always what they need.
It is therefore of the utmost importance to look with a critical eye to the marketing prose retailers pour out over you and not letting them pull the wool over your eyes. And I am not telling porkies either. There is good reason to be vigilant. Sounds like I am exaggerrating things here a bit you think? Well, do not take it from me but have a look at what the Vancouver Sun reported on their website:
"There is mounting evidence that the Black Friday phenomenon is
associated with inflating original prices, creating a false sense of
urgency among shoppers and encouraging rash decision-making,”
Sounds familiar? I thought so, as the same happens around 'Sinterklaas' in the Netherlands and unlike the proverbial donkey, Dutchies are fooled again around X-mas. However, do not despair as I got a two-step plan that will save you a lot of hardship, and money:
- Tell the kids the truth. Sint and Santa are all made up. No need to get presents after that anymore.
- When they do not get the message, because they pretend not to understand as they want their presents or because they are just stupid, go X-mas shopping during the summer holidays. Chances are that the prices are much lower than in the festive season. And there are no queues at the checkout as most Dutchies are stuck on the French roads in their toasters on wheels.
There you have it. Dare to be the odd one out. To be the black sheep of the flock and choose a different route. 
It may feel like you are a lone wolf for a while but rest assured, greener pastures await you...
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