On Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Anarchy and A Little Holiday Humbug
It is quite possible that as I type this I am the only American who is not watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Oh, how I loathe that stupid parade. I can still remember being a kid and sitting there in front of the television just wishing it were time to go to my grandmother’s so that I could at least do something. Even at the age of seven, I did not see the appeal of watching a bunch of marching bands and minor celebrities take to the streets of New York.
Nothing as changed in that regard.
I know it’s some kind of time-honored Thanksgiving tradition, but I just think it’s silly. I especially think it’s silly when the global economy is crumbling. Should we really be spending money on floats? Couldn’t we use the time and energy it takes to put on the stupid parade to feed the hungry? Or is it really that important that a gigantic inflatable cartoon character be carried through New York?
Maybe I am being a bit too harsh. Maybe traditions such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade make people feel better about the bad things that are happening in the world. Maybe seeing Santa bring up the rear of the parade is like some beacon of hope for the weary. Maybe the world would explode into anarchy without the parade.
Somehow, though, I doubt it.
I don’t watch it either, hon. You’re not alone.
I did! I watched it and enjoyed it and am not ashamed. I’d much rather watch the parade than football. I’m not usually fond of parades, but the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade is different for me. I can’t sit through the whole thing, though. I have to get up and leave the room a few times just to clear my head.
I doubt anarchy would erupt without the parade. However, if gays can get married? Katie bar the door!
Chicago’s parade was better
You are not alone. Husbandji hates parades in general and this one in particular!
I think it may fall into the same category of ’should we allow ourselves happiness when we know there is sorrow somewhere?”. Taken to its extreme; we can not allow ourselves any pleasure or happiness because of ‘how bad it is’ elsewhere.
It reminds me of The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield.
Personally, I’m not fond of parades in general. And I don’t think I’ve ever sat down and watched the Macy’s parade. It’s pretty boring to me. And I hate how Christmas always encroaches on Thanksgiving. I can only handle one holiday at a time.