Remember what Black Friday used to be all about? It was once a chaotic in-store battle over discounted TVs and toasters which has now transformed into a virtual experience. Netizens have taken notice of this shift and are flooding social media with hilarious memes comparing Black Friday “Then” vs. “Now.”
We miss the sport Black Friday was in the early 2000s when shoppers used to camp outside stores to avail coupons in freezing temperatures at midnight. Customers geared up like gladiators heading into an arena, shelves being cleared in seconds, and the occasional fight over the last discounted items.
This meme highlights the contrast between the past and the present. Shoppers would line up outside stores for the thrill of the hunt, and the adrenaline rush of grabbing the best deals. It mocks the physical struggles of the past and the digital frustrations of the present.
The whole Black Friday buzz has now become a convenient online affair. Shoppers now have access to many deals from the comfort of their homes. There is no more braving crowds or fighting for parking spots. This shift mainly happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when e-commerce was trending, and retailers like Amazon and Walmart made shopping more accessible online. Additionally, the perception of Black Friday as a "must-shop" day has changed and discounts are spread across the year.
Some memes even mocked how bland modern deals can feel, with captions like:
"Then: 75% off everything. Now: Save $5 on a $500 TV."
Another meme poked fun at online deals getting sold out too quickly:
"Me at midnight on Black Friday: Sold out in 0.2 seconds."
This is one of the issues that the new generation is struggling with as they have to be on the phone and grab deals in nanoseconds to not miss out as in most cases, the products get out of stock.
Dilemma of the Deals
Today there is a major buzz amongst the netizens for the decline in deal quality. In the good old days, Black Friday meant great discounts that seemed too good to be true. Today, shoppers are underwhelmed by so-called “deals” that have hardly any difference in the prices.
"When Black Friday 'deals' are the same price as last week."
Some memes celebrated the online shopping extravaganza featuring humorous depictions of people glued to their computers. It has also been compared to Cyber Money (an e-commerce term that refers to the Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S.). Cyber Monday alone is expected to drive a greater sale than Black Friday.
Shopping Cart Showdown - Meme
Several memes are trending across social media, poking fun at the intense competition for limited-stock items online. Now, with a few clicks, we can unleash the rage of our shopping drive, battling it out with thousands of other shoppers for the same limited-stock item. It is more like a virtual mosh pit, except instead of headbanging, we're constantly refreshing our browser tabs and cursing our slow internet connection. The physicality of traditional Black Friday shopping may be a thing of the past, but the spirit of the shopping lives on.
Trending
The older generations continue to reminisce about the absurdity of the old days, they like to remember it as the "golden age" of Black Friday madness. Platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram are overflowing with posts of extravagant spending on Black Friday. It has a cultural timestamp as it reflects how consumer habits and technology have reshaped traditions. These memes bring us all together and remind us to laugh at how far we've come.
You can be a veteran of the in-store battles or a fan of the online shopping age, yet you will still have something to laugh about.
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