14 Awesome #BlackFridayin3Words Tweets: ‘I Can’t Even’ (My Favorite)

Black Friday has become so popular that it wasn’t enough for retailers to open their stores at 5 or 6 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving. Now, many retailers open on Thanksgiving Day and stay open through the night and into Black Friday. But a backlash is brewing.

In recent years, socially conscious businesses such as Patagonia and others have tried to stem the consumerism madness by encouraging people to buy less, buy used and repair clothing when possible. This year, REI made waves when it announced that it would be closing all of its 143 retail locations, headquarters and two distribution centers and giving their 12,000 full- and part-time employees paid time off not only on Thanksgiving, but on Black Friday as well, encouraging them to #OptOutside!

As proof of that backlash, look no further than the hashtag trending on Twitter: #BlackFridayIn3Words. Several Twitter users lamented how the day highlights what they see as an “embarrassing” aspect of American culture—rampant consumerism:

#BlackFridayIn3Words: Humanity's Low Point

— Mr. Jones (@OffThe_Record) November 23, 2015

https://twitter.com/Hublife/status/668799344695312384

#BlackFridayIn3Words Capitalism's Gladiatorial Playground pic.twitter.com/H0xAQQLYwe

— Anon2World🏴Ⓐ (@Anon2World) November 23, 2015

I can't even. #BlackFridayIn3Words

— Melissa Knowles (@Knowlesitall) November 23, 2015

Others emphasized all the great things to do instead of shopping on Black Friday:

Run with foxes #BlackFridayIn3Words https://t.co/oA6lvTXxYa pic.twitter.com/QkSJd9dkim

— Treehugger Animals (@TreehuggerTwo) November 23, 2015

#BlackFridayIn3Words: Go hiking instead.

— Sierra Club (@SierraClub) November 23, 2015

#BlackFridayIn3Words: Don't do it. Here are 93 things around the country to do instead: https://t.co/9nlnja1G8Q pic.twitter.com/B9kFzyR04U

— Travel + Leisure (@TravelLeisure) November 23, 2015