My New Happy: Be Nice On Black Friday

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Be Nice On Black Friday


Only three more days until one of the biggest events of the holiday season - Black Friday. Most of my friends and family have been talking about it for weeks - figuring out their driving route, planning their stores of attack, deciding which snacks to take.  My only contribution is to remind them to be nice.

You will find me no where near any retail establishment on Friday - and it's not just because I'll be on vacation.   I've been on the other end of that craziness, and it's not pretty.  

Before moving on in my fashion career, I worked for three years as an Area Sales Manager for a clothing chain called Lamonts.  They went bankrupt years ago, but they fell somewhere between Kohl's and Macy's. 

I remember working sixteen hour days in the week leading up to Thanksgiving.  I usually dragged myself home around midnight on Wednesday, and had to be back at 4am on Black Friday.  Actually, I don't think it was called Black Friday back then - and we employees just referred to it as hell.

Lamonts' big day after Thanksgiving promotion was called "A Cracker Jack Of A Sale". Hundreds of boxes of Cracker Jacks filled with gift certificates and coupons were given to customers as they came through the door.  Many people ripped open their boxes, grabbed the prize, and dropped the Cracker Jacks on the floor. To this day seeing a box of them gives me the willies.

Something about the mayhem of that day (and probably the sugar) brought out the worst in people.  Customers were rude, pushy, and downright nasty.  By the time we finally closed the doors, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to make it another season.  And it was only the beginning.  As a manager, I had to work a mandatory six days a week during November and December. Needless to say, for me the holidays were not the "most wonderful time of the year".

Sadly, Black Friday has now crept backwards into Thanksgiving day itself.  Many stores will be open on Thursday, instead of allowing their employees to be home with their families. Yikes - I'm glad I got out when I did.



I can shop with the best of them, and I completely understand the draw of Black Friday. Some of the sales and promotions are too good to pass up, and I shall not judge those who choose to shop.  But while you're out there, please remember to be nice - to your fellow shoppers, to the guy in the parking lot who will not back out of his space, even the crazy eyed woman who cuts in front of you in line.  But mostly to the poor people working that day. Trust me, they need every smile they can get.

Or better yet, shop Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday.  Lots of good deals to be had - without the threat of being trampled.


24 comments:

  1. I hadn't heard of that small business Saturday.

    The irony is so thick in that first comic.

    bisous
    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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  2. I can see why you don't like Cracker Jack! People can be so thoughtless! I've never gotten up at 2am to get a door buster but I have taken my daughter and her friends shopping early before the stores are super crowded. I do most of my shopping Small Business Saturday and on-line. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    Jill
    www.dousedinpink.com

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    Replies
    1. People go a little crazy with the doorbusters! Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful too!

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  3. Thanks for all the heads up for the holidays Lana!!! Wishing you already a blessed Thanksgiving!!!

    Rebecca
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

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  4. Those sharp elbows can hurt! Yes, please do be nice!

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    Replies
    1. That's for sure. No need to get hurt while shopping!

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  5. In another life I was a Retail Buyer(discount retailers) and often on Black Friday would visit the stores and help out. It was always a nightmare. Not sure why people are so stressed out on that day, shopping's more fun if you talk to the person in front of you in line instead of resenting them. But I don't go anywhere near the stores on that day any more.

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    Replies
    1. Working in retail completely ruined the day for me. I was so much happier when I got to the buying office.

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  6. You will likely find me online shopping this weekend, there's no way I would deal with those crowds!

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  7. I think my comment disappeared. Long story short, be nice on Friday. You'll need the karma in December.

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  8. I have no part of black Friday sales. I work at JC PENNY'S for years in their clothing department yuck!!!! I'll be up with the dawn again since hubby has to work the day after!

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  9. So true! I really dislike that companies are making their employees work on Thanksgiving! Although, I guess some say that it brings them together with their families to shop on Thanksgiving....

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    Replies
    1. I really wish all the stores would stay closed on Thanksgiving!

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  10. I worry it shows some of the worst of humanity - selfishness, greed, stupidity! Just so rude about the Cracker Jacks. I won't stop on Black Friday because.. I hate crowds. I do all of my shopping in town or online.

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    Replies
    1. Online shopping is the best, and I love shopping in our small town too.

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  11. I shop on-line a bit, but going to store... No way!!! It seems to me everybody going a bit crazy this day....

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