2017-11-11 雙11購物商機？被遺忘的節日 Singles' Day: A Shopping Frenzy or a Day of Remembrance?

11月11日除了被稱為光棍節，更搖身轉變成為全民瘋狂消費的日子，電商成交金額連年攀升。去年雙11時期，各大電商平台更推出不少誘人促銷，商品銷售不但多出五成，部分產品更下殺1折，或是商品買一送一等優惠吸引消費者目光。

不只網路購物商機，就連百貨公司也舉辦限時搶購活動，迎接強大的購物風潮，吸引不少民眾在實體店面選購心頭好，大包小包滿載而歸。

但是，在濃濃的購物氣氛，民眾蜂擁而至去搶購商品，還有多少人記得同一天其實是「國殤紀念日」呢？

「國殤紀念日」，又名「和平紀念日」，為悼念兩次世界大戰的死難者與殉職軍人，以及紀念1918年11月11日第一次世界大戰結束、正式停火的時刻，因此在英國、美國、加拿大、澳洲等地，每年這一天都會有盛大的紀念活動。

歐美國家民眾習慣在這一天，胸前別上紅色的虞美人花，以誌陣亡的將士以及戰爭的死難者。對比瘋狂消費為主的「節日」，也希望民眾多關心這歷史悠久且意義重大的紀念日子。       

公民記者 趙敏然 新竹報導

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November 11th, once known as 'Singles' Day', has in recent years transformed into a nationwide shopping bonanza, with e-commerce sales soaring year on year. During last year's event, major online retailers launched a wave of lucrative promotions, boosting sales by over fifty per cent and, in some cases, slashing prices by as much as ninety per cent or offering 'buy-one-get-one-free' deals to capture shoppers' attention.

This commercial phenomenon is not confined to the internet. High street department stores are also hosting their own flash sale events to capitalise on the shopping fever, attracting crowds of consumers who can be seen leaving stores laden with bags.

Yet, amid this fervent atmosphere of consumerism, as the public flocks to the checkouts, a poignant question remains: how many pause to remember that this same date is also Remembrance Day?

Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, is observed to honour the members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty during the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts. It commemorates the armistice signed to end the First World War at 11 am. on November 11th, 1918. Consequently, in countries across the Commonwealth, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, major commemorative events are held annually.

It is a tradition in these nations for people to wear a red poppy on their chest as a tribute to the fallen. This presents a stark contrast to a 'holiday' now increasingly defined by frantic consumption, prompting a moment of reflection on the enduring importance of this historically significant day.

Citizen Journalist Man Yin Chiu, reporting from Hsinchu