Black Friday pushback

**Nishu** · 11-12-2011, 03:28 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/bu...pagewanted=all

Love, love, love this! Businesses are now openig earlier for Black Friday, some of them are even opening on Thursday night. In response to this, many consumers are fighting back against the 'Black Friday creep.' They're doing it's beginning to encroach on Thanksgiving, one of the last bastions of the commercial-free holiday, but also because it's ruining the holiday for the employees who half to work whether they want to or not.

**KimZ** · 11-12-2011, 03:31 PM

This goes along with it

Respect the bird!
Respect The Bird ? Allrecipes.com

and since I work retail.... I wish black friday didn't happen! When I worked in an office I was one of the Black Friday shoppers and I never realized how it KILLED the holiday for those that had to work it.

**lll** · 11-12-2011, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by KimZ

This goes along with it

Respect the bird!
Respect The Bird ? Allrecipes.com

and since I work retail.... I wish black friday didn't happen! When I worked in an office I was one of the Black Friday shoppers and I never realized how it KILLED the holiday for those that had to work it.

Yes it does kill the holiday for us. My husband has to work 7AM-12PM Thanksgiving day then we both go in Thanksgiving night to work 10PM to 7AM. I hope it fails this year then we won't have to do it next year but I doubt if it will.

**nuisance26** · 11-12-2011, 05:40 PM

~I didn't notice the earlier times until DH pointed it out. He wouldn't even have to go to bed which would actually work out better for us this year than most years. The party at my mom's house will probably break up a few hours earlier than usual due to out of state relatives who will want to go to bed.
I don't find the earlier store opening times upsetting at all. We don't have to shop when they say we should. I don't know why I should feel bad for people who have a job to go to either. If I got upset about this, I'd also have to get upset about everyone who has to work on Sundays. People wanted more weekend shopping hours and they got more weekend shopping hours.
I grew up with my dad working shift-work. Holiday observances had to be flexible to meet his schedule. We kids never cared when the celebration was so long as there was a celebration. Holiday's aren't as set in stone as people seem to think they are. I just don't see what difference it makes to my celebration if other people want to go shopping after their celebration.
If I don't get the best deals of the day, so what? If it's something I really needed, a few dollars more for it on a regular sale won't make that big a dent in my wallet and I won't have been controlled by a marketing ploy.
Most of the stuff and frenzy on BF is about the "wants". How does missing out on those hurt a non-consumerist?~

**dancemommy** · 11-12-2011, 09:12 PM

There are lots of people who have to work holidays. I don't feel too sorry for them. I appreciate it as a consumer and it is good for business.

**McD** · 11-12-2011, 10:14 PM

Some professions you enter knowing that there is a good chance you will work holidays. If you pick these career fields, then you should be prepared to do so. If everyone could not drive or commit crimes on holidays, hubby could stay home. That, however, is unrealistic.

However, I really wish that non-essential services staff could be closed on all major holidays. I like staying home with my family, as I am sure they would. I understand why people participate on Black Friday, I don't like that it's enroaching on Thanksgiving. Therefore, my debit card and I will be staying home that day.

**Nishu** · 11-12-2011, 11:23 PM

We've spent a lot of holidays without my husband. Birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries... It's not fun, and that experience has made it impossible to experience any kind of holiday in complete comfort like I used to. There's always someone on the watch, people working to keep us safe while we enjoy our time with family. You'd think the experience would make me okay with people having to work on holidays, but it doesn't. Holidays are sacred. Family is sacred. The idea that someone should give up their family time so that I can shop for Elmos and iPods and fuzzy slippers is extremely distasteful to me.

This probably isn't going to stop. Pretty soon Thanksgiving will be the big shopping day and we'll all be eating turkey dinners at Ruby Tuesdays after a long day of bargain hunting.

**lll** · 11-13-2011, 11:01 AM

I know when I started this job 23 years ago I had no idea we would be working holidays. We were closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We just have Christmas left but expect that will change soon.

Really we have always worked around hoildays when we had to work but I think the thing that frustrates me is they have changed both our schedules 3 times now. O.K. if I have to work fine but I need to know when to plan my meal and such.

**Missourimom** · 11-13-2011, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by McD

Some professions you enter knowing that there is a good chance you will work holidays. If you pick these career fields, then you should be prepared to do so..

Very true. I work in the medical field and I was originally scheduled to work Christmas Eve night through Christmas morning. I was lucky and that changed and now I only work Christmas night. It is what it is.

**Libby** · 11-13-2011, 04:54 PM

Aren't holidays what you make of them? If it means spending time with family then make it so. If Thanksgiving means shopping, then focus on that. If your entire family isn't available, make the best you can w/o them. Aren't the remaining family just as important?

I will agree that its unfortunate when loved ones aren't always available to be around during 'holidays' but what about the other non holiday days? Just as many memories can be shared and made.

**lll** · 11-13-2011, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Libby

Aren't holidays what you make of them? If it means spending time with family then make it so. If Thanksgiving means shopping, then focus on that. If your entire family isn't available, make the best you can w/o them. Aren't the remaining family just as important?

I will agree that its unfortunate when loved ones aren't always available to be around during 'holidays' but what about the other non holiday days? Just as many memories can be shared and made.

Those are the exact words I've always told everyone. I was just feeling a bit wimpy for a second. I guess I will be with my husband and you can bet I'm getting my Turkey and pies ate.

**chickadee-7815** · 11-13-2011, 07:37 PM

I also worked in the medical field for 40 years. That meant working every other holiday, and also every other week-end for all the years that I worked. My family had to learn to adjust to it. We didn't always celebrate on the same day as everyone else; but that really wasn't important.