Would You Wait In Line For A Harry Potter Book , An Ipod , Video Game , Blackberry , etc. ? And WHY ?

Question

We've all seen the lines of people waiting for days to be the first to purchase Harry Potter and the rest of the items mentioned .
Why would anyone 'feel' they 'need' them so badly on day-one ?
What's wrong with getting them tomorrow or next week or whenever ?
Personally I think it's GREED and SELFISHNESS . We're all guilty in one way or another . Many will devote all those hours for a game or a book , or even spend 3 hours watching a football game , yet are too 'busy' or 'inconvienenced' to go to church for ONE hour !!
This troubles me about our American society and I'm just wondering how many people see this as clearly as they probably should ?
I'll consider all respectful answers .
Thank you .

Ahhh Shoot !!
I meant to post this in 'Religion' . Please forgive me .

Bryan - Ummm , what 'prestige' ? And I didn't mean to confuse folks by using the church reference(although it is relevant in my opinion) . I meant to basically point-out the evils of 'greed' .
And instant gratification .

Answer 1

You are right.

By the way, David is wacko. You chose the right place to post your question. Thanks

Answer 2

Frankly, I do not see the correlation. You are making the assumption that there are religious people who feel they are too busy to go to church, but will stand in line for other earthly pleasures. Now I do not know why people don't attend church if they believe in their religion, but I doubt if that decision really revolves around believing they are too busy. As for the toys, well that is either the prestige of being one of the first to have it, or overwhelming desire to possess the product immediately.

I do not stand in lines to buy the hottest new toys. There is nothing I want that bad and I am not interested in keeping up with the neighbors. Additionally, I know that these products will still be available after the initial push if I want them. As for attending church. I believe in God, but I do not accept organized religions. Therefore since I don't accept the teachings, I see no sense in attending services for doctrines which I don't accept. Ultimately though these 2 types of decisions have nothing to do with each other and certainly have no relation to how I use my time.

Edit: I was not attacking your position, but rather stating that I didn't feel the reference was properly relative. The prestige I was referring to is that some people feel they have to be the first to have something and that somehow this gives them more standing than others. It is a weak reason, but one that cannot be denied or ignored.

As for greed. I feel this is an overused term in the modern age. Often it is used to present the idea that people are selfish and have no concern for those less fortunate. I buy what I want when I want it. I can do this because I work hard in life to provide that ability to myself, but I in no way oppress others to achieve my desired gains in life. So does this belief or practice mean I am greedy? The answer is no. It means I am successful and that I am enjoying the fruits of my labor. The only people who would argue otherwise would be those who are trying to make me feel guilty for situations which are not of my making.

Answer 3

I think that it is the fault of the parents. These children are being raised to believe that they should have the first and the best of everything. The parents will stand in line for days to get their children the newest version of whatever is being sold.

I have raised 3 daughters and am now raising 2 of my 7 grandchildren. The only time that I have ever stood in a long line to buy them anything has been at the pharmacy, when they needed a prescription filled. I do not believe in raising a child to think that they should have the first and the best. I have raised them to think that what they have will do and to be grateful for what they have.

I have a grandson who just turned 7 last month and he got a new dirt bike (not a power wheels but a real dirt bike) for his fourth birthday. He got a real 4 wheeler last Christmas. His sister just turned 4 last month and she got her own pony. Yes, a real live pony. I asked my daughter,"now that they have received these gifts at such a young age, what are you going to do when they turn 10 or 12?"

I am sorry but I just don't understand the whole concept of standing in line for a week to pay $600 for one present. But people do it every year.

Oh, and we attend church every Sunday unless one of the children are ill. Then my husband or I will stay at home with the sick child while the other takes the well child to church on Sunday. By the way, Sunday is family day at our house. As is Monday evening. We have always placed a high value on family time.

Answer 4

I refuse to wait in lines...I'd rather order something online, and then it comes when it comes. I honestly haven't wanted all the Potter books, nor an Ipod, nor a video game so badly as to cart myself down to the store...I don't get the hoopla.

Even at home, when all my family gathers, I wait until everyone is through the buffet line and then I get my plate. Then I don't feel rushed.

I don't get any pleasure at being the first to have "x" product. Whoop-Dee-Do. Who cares?

I'm more concerned with other things than these. For example, how am I going to make sure all my students learn about scientific method? Can I get a group of 125 eighth graders to read a novel in 9 weeks time? These are the things with which I concern myself.

Cheers.

Answer 5

We didn't wait in line but we (my son, husband, and I) went to the party for a couple of hours early on. I didn't wait around because honestly if I got the book at 12:01 I would have wanted to open it right then. But with two small children that just doesn't work out too well! So my DH went and got it Saturday evening once the kiddos were in bed.

Answer 6

Having worked in retail for more years than I care to admit, most of those years at a major mass retailer, I will offer the educated opinion, that people stand in line for their toys, big or small, because once they're gone the first time around, it takes awhile for them to come in again. In retail, the day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. The stores open at 5am, and the people wait in line for HOURS, then storm in like a herd of drug-crazed cattle. Never did understand it...never will

Answer 7

I wouldn't but I recall the days of my youth when a concert ticket to the Stones would see me camping out, or in the military where I vowed never hurry up and wait in a long line again. I think its kids, childish as they are now and always shall be in the land of the free , because we paid the dues which they will pay so that their children can be just as childish! I tease my grandkids and refer to Harry Potter as Harry Pot Head, and give them looks though! Im not a church goer as my church is the earth, I respect all rrelgion though, but if you say ten God Bles America's I'll forgive you!;-)

Answer 8

Are you freaking kidding me???

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like to earn money on my investments, why would I blow money on crap?

I can get the book if I wanted it by putting my name on the new book waiting list at the community library. To find one of these places called "library" look in the telephone book, you will find several. Or I will go to www.bn.com, order the book and it will come right to my house, no waiting in line required and only one day delay from waiting in line.

An IPOD, I already paid for the radio and CD player in my car, it's free and paid for.

Video game??? I got my fill as a kid with my Atari 2600 which my parents waited at least a year to buy us and even then I think they got it from a friend of theirs for free with all the games.

Blackberry?? Nope, I get e-mail included with my high speed internet for free also.

People that buy all this crap also have multithousand dollar credit card bills, are living pay check to pay check and have nothing real to show for their lives or the money the may earn from working. You forgot to mention the Hummer's and Suburbans they drive with only one person in it.

Answer 9

There are way to many lines that HAVE to be waited in. I would never CHOOSE to wait in line. This is a very reasonable observation.

Oh, wait, there is a line I choose to wait in. I willing wait in line to vote.

Went into Best Buy this afternoon (Sunday), And there was a who;e stack of the new HP book by the front door, cover price 34.99 selling for 26.49. And no line

Answer 10

I stood in line for a Harry Potter book the other night and did not get home until 2:00 a.m. I have never read one of the books, but my daughter has read all of them and she was very excited about the book. It was fun to spend time with her at a book store and look at all of the kids dressed up as their favorite characters. It had nothing to do with "GREED and SELFISHNESS."

Answer 11

I would never spend so much of my time to get the latest gadget. Or, pay first release prices for what I have been getting along perfectly well without.

Plus, I don't follow popular culture so, Harry Potter? - not a chance.