Are you looking for some sweet deals on gifts for Christmas? Would you be willing to stand outside in the cold in the early hours of the day? If you answered yes to either of those questions, Black Friday is for you. Black Friday was a term coined in the 60s to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Back then, stores would open at 6 a.m. with exclusive sales, but in 2011 stores like Target, Macy’s and Kohl’s started opening at midnight. Then the very next year stores began opening on Thanksgiving, renaming it Gray Thursday.
In the past, my family would go out the day after Thanksgiving, but since I started working in retail, I have had to work the dreaded holiday. This year is my fourth Black Friday so I like to consider myself a seasoned veteran by now. To be honest, I have no clue why anyone would want to go Black Friday shopping. It’s right after a major holiday, the customers are rude, and you are not getting that great of deals.
Thanksgiving is meant to be a day you hang out with family, say what you are thankful for and eat until you pass out in a food coma. Sadly, this is not something everyone can take part in anymore. My first year I had to be at work at 12 a.m., the second year 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, the third year at 6 p.m., and this year at 5 p.m.. This means I leave my family before the turkey has been served. Then, I have to work a long shift and return the next day.
I have no clue if the mix of turkey, coffee and deals make people crazy, but Black Friday is nuts. If you know anyone who works retail, they can tell you at least three stories about the shopping day. I once had a lady yell at me simply because we were sold out of her size, and during her rant she spilled her coffee all over the floor before walking away. It’s important to note that this is not just a local issue about people being mean and aggressive. Black Friday has caused 7 deaths and 98 hospitalizations in recent years.
The amazingly awesome deals you are getting probably are not that great. Some retailers advertise sales of expensive products like TVs, but in reality their stores will only have a select number of these products so that they are not selling at a loss. If you end up at one of these stores and do not get the big ticket item, there is still a high chance of you purchasing other items. If you go to a clothing store, you might be drawn in by signs with 50 percent off. Naturally as a consumer we do not read the fine print and don’t realize that not all styles or items will be on sale, but the big red signs always grabs our attention.
Although I am extremely biased, I suggest that everyone who is planning on shopping on Black Friday to rethink their decision. Instead of spending the day in the mall, you should fill your stomach with delicious food, celebrate with family and think about how thankful you are for everything in your life.