Taking a Walk With the Family on Christmas Day

I noticed something around the neighborhood as we left for a quick trip to the other side of town for dinner: adults taking a walk together.

I remember this was a frequent occurrence when I was young. Indeed, it seemed that Christmas, whether one celebrated the day or not, was one of the few days that one could see adults taking a walk together here in the U.S. Most of the time, people are too busy rushing towards their next destination--work, shopping, out somewhere--to take the time to walk with their relatives, let alone their partners. But Christmas, along with Thanksgiving, was a day that one saw this often.

Part of the reason was that all stores were closed except for liquor stores. There was always a moment of panic, "Oh, no, the stores are closing at six in the evening on the wednesday before Thanksgiving!" and there would be a last mad rush to get the whipping cream or some more sugar.

And precisely because no consumerism could occur on the day of those holidays, there was an enforced quietude the following day. A day of rest. Calm. There seemed to be nothing to do except eat, talk with one's relatives and perhaps watch some tv if one was so inclined. But the inability to shop had a great influence on the quietude that settled on the collective mind. And so, one would often see groups of adults, walking together. At a leisurely pace.

The enforced day of quietude. The day when adults alk together in the street because there is a collective acceptance that nothing else can bedone except spend time together. No distractions such as shopping. No going somewhere to avoid each other. Just being together. Americans don’t do enough of that.

It's been years in urban cities since Thanksgiving has shut down stores. Now if one forgets whipping cream, the local grocer is open for business. No need to visit the liquor store and pay an inordinate amount of money for disproportionately small amount of cream. And it's been years, as well, that New Year's shut stores down. Christmas was the last day that this enforced contemplativeness could be experienced.

Except for Armani A/X. Apparently they think that last minute shopping is something one can do on the day of gift-giving. The cynicism of this decision is so great that they really deserve no more thought.

But I not only say it is a shame that we can not at least have one day of quiet. I think that stores who promote that mindset are shameful.