Shiftdown

Hello and welcome to a special edition holiday edition of Shiftdown where I rant about anything everything and nothing. Unusual today I  have a little more structured post and whats today’s topic? It’s whats on everyone’s mind today “Black Friday”. The busiest shopping day of the year. A day that people camp in lines city blocks long too get the absolute best price on the items of their or their child’s dreams…

Now I can’t really stand Black Friday. I mean to me it’s pointless. I can understand all the great deals and wasnting to get a big 46 inch t.v. for $200. But honestly the way people act today is unreasonable. I mean the last couple of years people have been killed just trying to buy something just because there is not enough to go around and everyone wants it. And stores don’t do much about it like pass out number to say these people were here first and we only have this many so they get it too bad for you. And then again if they did some people are so desprate to get their hands on it to go as far to rob and or kill someone for it. It’s ridiculos.The holidays are supposed to be a happy time for everyone but how can it be happy if one of your family members is in jail or dead?And I  think the fact that stores let people camp out in front of their businesses to wait to get in the minute they open is also a big factor because every has to survive the cold night and long boring wait.So it’s no suprise to me that people get unruly and tempers will start to flare if they don’t get what they waited all night long for. I mean seriously an other night people would be arrested for vagrancy or loitering for sleeping out in front of a store. I mean there were people with a tent in line last night when I went to my local walmart.  And the line just kept going on for what seemed like forever. And I feel sorry for those in back because you know they aren’t going to get that item that is priced so low even Crazy Gideon (Local LA Joke) would say i’m not that crazy…

And the stores are so greedy they open up at the crack of dawn and have the best prices for a limited time. The one thing I have to at least say is most stores have more employees working for these days. However they still screw there regular employees by hiring seasonal workers. Its good to hire more people and give more jobs out but you could give your loyal and regular employees more work hours. And I will admit some do but still under the minimum so they don’t need to pay benefits or overtime. It’s sad how greedy these corporations are. And that they care so little for their employees. It is one of the main reasons I hate working in retail because no matter who or what your always getting screwed one way or another.  So much so I really hate the days of the nice office life I was laid off from. At least there I was happy because I got the holidays off and was paid for it. But I can’t complain too much I guess because work is so hard to find these days. But I really think the whole retail work structure needs to be re invented. I mean companies should have to pay more than minimum wage and also offer better benefits. I mean no one can live off of minimum wage unless there working 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs. Its just almost impossible. I know there are those who manage to pull it off. But really should we have to struggle so much.

But it’s a holiday tradition I guess. I just think some people are just too cheap or stupid to realize “Hey I can buy this in May and not be killed, or sleep deprived, or trampled”. Personally I am glad I am able to sleep in and rest this Black Friday. Sure I do have to work tonight but I’m not one in a huge rush to go buy anything. I do have a lot of shopping to do for my family and friends but I have no problem with waiting a week or so for things to die down. There will still be good deals coming. But at least I won’t need to wait in a line that’s 4 hours long. The only line I am fearing this year is the line at the post office because I have quite a few international packages to ship to a few friends this year.

So that’s all for today I’ll be back soon with more holiday things and what not. So check back soon. I will get a regular posting schedule going but with BN games and working it may be 1 to 2 times a week. Anyhow Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays to everyone.