How bad is Black Friday when you work in retail?

Wear comfortable shoes and remember that Monday is coming.
I remember putting the Christmas trim shop together on Halloween and dressing as Mrs Claus.
On the bright side, the day goes by really fast. No time to get bored!

It depends on what you can handle. People handle stress and work differently. Sometimes I find myself getting more pumped up the crazier things get because it’s like a game to get everything done. You get to move fast and move your mind faster.

My first day in retail was on a Black Friday….in a women’s shoe department….in a large department store. It was madness. I was getting evil stares from women for not taking their shoe to get their size, but did they even pay attention to the pile of shoes I had from 4 other women? Of course not. But if you have a good head on your shoulders, you’ll know to keep your mouth shut and keep on moving.

Depends where you live and what kind of store you work in. I can tell you this, December 26th is way worse, unless you live in a country that prohibits returns that day.

Don’t get into the doorway where they can trample you.

What is black Friday?

@Headhurts The day after American Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday and the Friday after is considered the kic off to the Christmas shopping season. It’s traditionally such a big shopping day all the stores are in the “black.” As opposed to being in the red.

@Headhurts Black friday is the day after Thanksgiving. It is so named because traditionally, that is the beginning of Christmas shopping, the heaviest day for profits, the biggest day for sales and specials. It is the day when retail moves from the red to the black, financially speaking.
@Katniss, I don’t have an answer for your question, but a question back at you. I have several times been the one nose to the door with a multitude crushing from behind. I have wondered what is like for the retailers waiting inside. Sometimes I have imagined a ceremony of drawing straws to see who has to unlock the door. LOL! I will be thinking of you that day my dear. When my daughter was a toddler, she got trampled at one. She was shaken and achey, but not injured. When I stated we would never again do that, she cried and said she loved snuggling in front of the doors with me all night. She’s from adventure stock. :)

Personally, I like fast paced stuff. I’d probably like it, and love the feeling when it was all done.

@Dutchess_III I enjoy the holiday season in the stores also as long as I have no pressure to figure out what gift to buy for someone. I’m not good at the gift giving thing, although I am getting better.

Christmas was a let down for me as a child, but working in retail helped me enjoy the season ironically, even though it practically killed me every year. I still rarely go to the stores Black Friday, it depends if I am home or visiting, and what the other people want to do. The stores are busy the entire Christmas season, no reason to rush on Thanksgiving weekend.

I’m trying to find ways around that gift-giving stress. It truely sucks. It can suck the life out of the season for the grown ups.

Got some fantastic suggestions here. I started a Christmas folder on my tool bar.

@Dutchess_III I only have to really worry about gifts when we do Christmas with my husband’s family, which we are this year. Winds up being at the most 7 people now, plus my husband and me, so not a lot of people. I do buy a trinket or two for one or two friends and neighbors usually. I do have one friend going through an eseciallybhard time who I wouldmlike to give something to; I have no idea what I will buy her. I don’t want to get the whole gift giving thing all ramped up and become a yearly thing with friends in general. Also, a gift for people we will be staying with near Christmas time. No idea there either.

If there were a bunch of kinder in the family I would be all about that though.

Yeah….BUNCH of kinder here.

@Headhurts, Black Friday got its name because most retailers operate a ya loss (in the red) until the Friday after thanksgiving when their balance sheets finally move to the black and they begin making a profit.

Oy. Saw my typos in time but we’re in the car and kept going in and out of service and couldn’t edit in time. Ugh.

What typo?

“A ya” instead of “at a.”

Ah ya. IC now.

@Jonesn4burgers Thank you! :0)
I’ve never worked a Black Friday before, so I don’t even know what to expect. I work at Staples, so I’m thinking it probably won’t be to crazy. At least, I hope it won’t. lol
How adorable is your daughter??

I don’t think there will be a mad rush for stationary.

@Headhurts We sell computer and stuff too. lol

@Katniss Staples will be busy too. It will be very busy, but where you are will make a difference. Just, it it gets insane, remember it is one day, and when it is over, you have over 350 days until it comes again. I will try to have some fun, mindless banter ready for you so when you get home you can have a friendly place to go. I imagine THAT won’t be a problem though. There is bound to be a batch of stories about the day’s adventures from everyone.