<p>The internet is open 24/7. Our store takes orders when none of our employees are there… The only one working Thanksgiving will be our IT manager, who will need to check from time to time that the website is up and running optimally. (Since the IT manager is my husband, I can verify that this doesn’t take long, unless there IS a problem.)</p>
<p>I don’t blame the stores for opening early. I blame the consumers for turning a warm, wholesome day of thanks into a greedy shop til you drop mania. </p>
<p>Once the public gets its priorities straight the retailers will follow suit. Alas, I don’t think that will happen.</p>
<p>Point taken, Marian, and I do agree with you that hours are something to be taken into account when choosing a career. That said, pharmacists did not work after 6pm when I chose this career, only until 2 on Saturdays and never on a Sunday or holiday. But things change! I am actually fine with my hours(except Sunday mornings)… The point of this thread is that the holiday sale hours for most major retailers are insane! Have a little compassion for the poor people working. They are required to be there and are NOT receiving extra compensation.</p>
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Are you sure? I always did while working for some major nationwide retail companies - but that was a long time ago.</p>
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I agree that it’s ridiculous and just shake my head when the news shows the people camped out in a parking lot waiting for some store to open. I can’t imagine doing that, or going to a store at midnight Thursday night, etc. although if a store was open Thursday and it was uncrowded and I needed something and wasn’t otherwise busy, I might go.</p>
<p>One of my workplaces remains closed on Thanksgiving, but the other one is open and I’m scheduled 9-3. No one was allowed to request off. I’m just happy I have a daytime shift and my family is willing to push our usual Thanksgiving lunch to an actual dinnertime meal, which is nice as well. I hope the turkey coma knocks me out early tomorrow night since I have 43 hours of work Friday-Sunday at both of my jobs. I’m scheduled 6-3 at one on Friday, which is supposed to be really busy but I’m not so sure anymore since Black Friday shoppers going out at midnight will be in bed well before breakfast time.</p>
<p>As far as Christmas Eve goes, that is one of my favorite nights to work as it’s usually really great money (I wait tables). One year one of my friends received a $400 tip on a two-top with a “Merry Christmas” on the check and several other people got really high tips since everyone is feeling a little more generous. Luckily, both of my jobs are closed on Christmas.</p>
<p>Gladdad…I have a number of friends who work in retail as clerks…part time. They are NOT getting any extra compensation for working on the holiday.</p>
<p>Gladgraddad–your comparison to Christmas is strained. Christmas is indeed a religous holiday which not everyone observes. thanksgiving is the foremost, nondenominational, family get-together holiday in America. If someone immigrates here, and chooses not to take on the customs of the place they chose to move to, that’s there choice, but certainly that hypothetical situation is not a reason for forcing people who are part of the huge majority who observe it to work at non-needed jobs. </p>
<p>the “if you don’t like, lump it” attitude is distressingly common these days. ksm–I feel for you, and I will not be shopping either Thanksgiving or Black Friday. But then, as moonchild said, this emphasis on shopping is out of control.</p>
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Well then, I agree that’s lousy, especially if it’s a large retailer. They should probably start looking around for another job.</p>
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They’re not ‘forced’ unless they’re in the military. If they don’t like it then again, they should get a different job where the company doesn’t have a requirement for them to work on days or shifts they don’t want to work.</p>
<p>I didn’t realize jobs were so plentiful that people could pick and choose- particularly workers who are having to work more than one part time job to make ends meet.</p>
<p>I have struck up conversations with lots of recent college grads who are working retail, glad to have it- but I am sure they would also like the holiday to spend with their family.
( actually those I have talked to recently, are working in locally owned shops & they are able to get the holiday off, or at least most of it)</p>
<p>I do not and would not shop on Thanksgiving…nor would I sacrifice my sleep in order to take part in the madness that begins in the wee hours of Black Friday
Since we own a small retail business , I make a point to shop local and avoid malls during this season…once the crowds die down , I might walk theu the doors , but I haven’t done that in the last few years
Give me small business Saturday !
I love to keep it local , and that can wait until after I get to enjoy a day with my family , eating , laughing , relaxing</p>
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<p>I am sad that shopping has become such a big part of our lives, but GGD makes a valid point. Not everyone views the same days in the same way. Why is no one complaining about the Chinese restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve?</p>
<p>I guess I’m in the minority. A big outlet mall is opening at 9:00 PM Thanksgiving night. I’m seriously thinking of going. It’s an hour away so that might dissuade me, but if it were closer I’d be there for sure. Does that make me unAmerican??</p>
<p>Why is no one complaining about the Chinese restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve?</p>
<p>In my experience it is the owners who are keeping it open & the ones in the restaurant are generally Buddhist/Jewish.
Chinese restaurants are also not shoving holiday advertising down your throat starting before Halloween. ;)</p>
<p>VH, you are not unAmerican. If it’s a good time for you to shop…go for it. Personally, I hate the hype and the crowds of these “early bird specials”.</p>
<p>I shop black Friday all the time and have for years. I think its fun.
It’s a travesty to do it on Thanksgiving. I won’t be participating. It really is one of the few holidays that every American can celebrate to just spend with family. I would actually vote for Black Saturday–give us a couple days!</p>
<p>thumper, meet me at Clinton Crossing at 9:00 PM Thursday!!</p>
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<p>Actually, no.</p>
<p>My son, for example, won’t spend Thanksgiving with family this year. He has no family within a thousand miles and not enough money to travel to visit any of those who are farther away.</p>
<p>The idea of Thanksgiving as the Great Family Holiday is just a concept. For some people, tomorrow is just a day off from work – or perhaps not, depending on their job.</p>
<p>VH…that’s a bit of a “hike” for me! Plus, where we are going to have dinner, we’ll be lucky to be DONE by then…we aren’t having appetizers until 4. Have fun. Hope you find some great deals.</p>
<p>VH and thumper … I will be having dinner just a few miles from Clinton Crossing … but I can’t imagine going over there after dinner!</p>
<p>GladGradDad, they are not “forced”, but it is a lousy position to be in. If one works at a $8.50 per hour retail job and has worked there for 7-8 years to finally get enough raises to hit the $8.50 mark, if they left this position they might get hired at $7.25 per hour (min wage in my state). That extra 1.25 per hour may mean a great deal to this individual.</p>