I was at El Corte Inglés Thursday afternoon. It's the largest department store group in Europe and Spain's only remaining department store chain. I was there because I felt like taking a walk and because I especially enjoy their Hipercor on the lower level. That's their chain of household and food products.
I wasn't concerned about the Black Friday sales and the hordes of shoppers those would bring the next day. But, when I arrived, the signs outside advertised Black Friday as, oddly, running from Thursday through Sunday at El Corte Inglés. Fortunately, no one seemed to care.
Anyway, there were some random racks and tables with 30 percent markdowns. Everything else was regular price. I'll stick to their standard winter and summer sales. And, from what I've heard from friends today, I will be avoiding the shops this weekend.
(Click the images to
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| FROM THE TERRACE THURSDAY. |
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| "THE CLOUDS ARE LIKE HEADLINES ON A NEW FRONTPAGE SKY." |
An old feeling for me: My body's at home and my heart's in the wind.
A ship has strayed from a new Spanish Armada?
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteDaily!
What about 'Cyber Monday'? lol
ReplyDeleteA lot of people 'sale away' here in Canada as well over the next few days.
A three-masted ship out there, Matey! Great shot, Mitchell.
Jim:
DeleteThanks. I'm getting better with my little Canon IXUS, but can't accomplish your level of photo! We were actually in El Corte Inglés in Málaga Cyber Monday evening. It wasn't hell.
Thanks for letting us set sail with you.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteThank YOU for trusting my navigational skills. I love the company.
Wonderful lyrics - so sweet and so sad and so entrancing. I hate shopping in stores; it makes me dizzy and gives me a migraine from sensory overload with all the intrusive smells, harsh sounds, and jarring visuals. Sailing away is the way to go ...
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteI love this song. I like shopping, but big department stores and closed-air shopping malls do the same to me. Little shops, outdoor malls, and the internet!
We've been home all day... 4" (or more) of rain... dreary... muddy.... a whole different meaning to Black Friday. I'm shivering my bones... (are those my timbers?).... wool socks, wool sweater... boots, jeans... comfort food. Love this song you've attached... gonna have to check out the performer. Happy Thanksgiving even if you are in Spain... it was still Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteWe've been having glorious weather here. Chilly high 60sF when it gets cold.
I definitely prefer your sails to sales. I stayed in and put up my tree and decorations--it was raining like mad here all day, too!
ReplyDeleteMichelle:
DeleteI can't believe how much rain has been falling in so many places. None here. No tree(s) for us either this year. Dudo and Moose would have way too much fun.
It was all the news yesterday that our Black Friday event just hadn't happened this year - to some extent because our largest chain department stores had decided, after the ugly scenes of 2014, not to mark it out as something special. Though even moreso because its significance has been greatly lessened by the fact that so much shopping on-line is now being done. Some stores didn't have any waiting queues at their doors at all.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done any Xmas shopping for well over 20 years now. The simple solution is - don't have anyone for whom you feel obliged to buy gifts. Simple!
Ray:
DeleteIt seems Black Friday in the States isn't what it used to be either (but it's still a nightmare), but only because of internet sales. So glad your stores are rising above this American-inspired frenzy. We don't do Christmas shopping either!
Shopping is not my favourite thing; I'm much more a 'go in and get it and get the heck out' kind of shopper.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline:
DeleteI like to shop, but I don't like to dawdle much. Jerry is more your speed.
I had to explain the meaning of Black Friday to my mother. She thought it meant something disastrous -- which it does! Fortunately in our area too the chaos of years past seems to be dying down. Sales begin early in the week or even the week before.
ReplyDeleteI am happy that we have moved away from shopping for gifts for Christmas. With people living so far apart now, it had become a major hassle to get things to everyone in time. We would spend as much on shipping as on the gifts. I started making donations at Christmas and birthdays to my great-nieces' and -nephews' college funds. (Their parents know that the money can be used for other more urgent needs at their own discretion.)
My gift to myself is a bit more serenity!
Michael:
DeleteWhen I told a friend here how much I hated Black Friday, she asked if it was something racist. We also stopped shopping for Christmas gifts for the same reasons.
Mitchell Black Friday is getting more anmd morte popular in Poland, too
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteSuch a shame.
They do a big hype about Black Friday here in Canada too, a relatively new phenomenon in the last 3 years or so. Funny since our Thanksgiving is in October. They run the sales here 4 days as well. I accidentally went to the grocery store on Friday - it was only slightly busier than usual. I did make one online purchase of a gift though - stress free way to get a bargain. I love El Corte Inglés - went to one in Portugal. Made sure on our trip to Spain in the Spring we are near them in at least 2 locations, handy for travelers who need booze/food in places where a local market are hard to find.
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteI hate that this craze has spread but hope it continues to die out as a result of online shopping.