Singles' Day

First of all, I want to acknowledge and show my appreciation for Veterans Day. Without those who have or are serving, we would probably not have all the freedom and liberties that we take advantage of on a daily basis. 

In China, 11/11 is Singles' Day. 1/1 would be a more appropriate date but couples have taken that day for their own just like majority of the year (e.g. anniversaries for every single milestone, date nights). Singles' Day has become the biggest day of online shopping. Alibaba, China's largest e-commerce company, had sales over $9 billion; in comparison, last year in the US, Black Friday online sales were $1.2 billion and Cyber Monday sales hit over $1.7 billion. While Alibaba is the largest e-commerce company, it's just one company... Sales must have been gigantic in China.

With more Americans that are not in a relationship than those who are, I'm surprised that Singles' Day does not exist in the US. The idea of singles splurging on themselves on a particular day is pure genius; they are basically saying "Since you have no one to spend money on a significant other, you should spend it on yourself!" It's clever to hit that market and give them a reason to increase their spending. I don't feel it myself, but others seem to need an excuse to splurge (e.g. eating or shopping). 

With numerous years of experience of being single, I don't think Singles' Day would have changed my spending habits. For me, being single means every day is Singles' Day and treating yourself is a daily task. Celebrate that fact that you can make any purchase or decision fully independently.

Once again, commerce has invaded a day with a meaning. Singles' Day is a day for singles to hang out with other singles. Now, it seems like commerce has affected the holiday like Black Friday has disturbed Thanksgiving in the US. Maybe February 13 is America's version of Singles' Day.