Black Friday: An Anthropological Observation
Um, wow.
I haven’t done Black Friday in years- this year I have been working part time at a large department store. We opened at 8 Thanksgiving, so while I think it was still called the Black Friday sale- I’m not sure what it will be referred to later. Thanksgiving sale? Not quite the same ring.
When the escalator breaks, watching the repairman becomes a spectator sport- and if you are standing nearby you are suddenly the expert on what he is doing. Of course I know when it will be ready, because I’ve repaired them before. Yes.
Customers will work together to help each other find shoes, tossing the boxes over the heads of others to assist another shopper if they see her size (and the first person doesn’t need it or want it). It’s refreshing, really.
Good looking man out shopping with his mother and no wedding band: gay or straight? And if straight, is he just a nice guy or have an Oedipus complex?
People seem generally happier at the beginning of the event, and more tired the next day. (I know I was, still am.)
When you show simple kindness to a customer, sometimes they will insist on speaking to the store manager to let him know- even though they really don’t have to and the act of kindness really wasn’t that big of a deal (but it was so sweet for them to be that touched and I almost cried).
When the escalator breaks, people suddenly don’t know what to do- but when only one is available and it’s not blocked off people quickly adapt and figure out they can walk up and down it.
People are STILL BUYING THE BUBBLE NECKLACE OMGGGGGGGGG- and I can’t tell them not to buy it so when they ask my opinion I have to grit my teeth and make the best of it and make recommendations for how to modify it. Like- layering. A lot of it. With Swarovski crystals.
Even though I am a HUGE supporter of small businesses, let’s face it- large ones are huge economic drivers as well. Luckily the one I work for is also invested in the communities they are in.
Starbucks was open all night as well. Thank God.
I needed a full 12 hours of sleep to recover.
Love to all y’all,
Molly
