Black Friday is upon us! It's a shopping day filled with thrills, deals, and bargains galore — however, it is also a day that can turn sour very quickly. In order to avoid a bad Black Friday, here are some etiquette tips and some useful tricks to remember while you shop till you drop.
1. Don't shove.
Safety 101. Do not shove anyone to try to get to a toy, sweater, or book before another person. Not only is it rude, but you can hurt yourself and others when you do it. Be smart.
2. Be polite.
"Treat others the way you want to be treated." My mom always said that to me when I was a kid, and now, I'm passing that wisdom on to you. I am sure we will all encounter some people who woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but treat them well. Be kind. 'Tis the season, folks. You never know who will be watching...
3. Be patient.
Lines are awful, I know, but that does not mean it is wise to be impatient. Everyone is a little tired on Black Friday, and sometimes, stores encounter technical difficulties. For example: the system on the registers may go down, causing a delay. Do not panic, people! I promise, if you are patient, people will be nicer to you and appreciative. Patience is a virtue.
4. Be mindful of your surroundings.
Stores often make sure the floor is filled for Black Friday. This means that stacks of toys or shirts might be higher, or that more racks of clothing are out on the sales floor. The layout of the store might also change to help accommodate the lines that inevitably form. Note where you are walking. If you don't, you could end up hurting yourself, or worse, ruining someone's neat pile of shirts.
5. Have a meeting spot.
If you are shopping with a group of three or more, chances are you may want to split up during your shopping trip. If this is the case, pick a meeting spot. It can be the coffee stand, the fountain, or even the carousel in the middle of the mall. Just be sure that you check in with each other.
6. Be considerate.
You never know what someone is dealing with. They could be having a terrible day — maybe their turkey was undercooked and that made them a little cranky. It does not matter. No matter what, be considerate of the shoppers and employees around you.
7. Be nice to the workers.
Retail workers give up their Thanksgivings to make sure you don't miss out on any deals. They clean up the endless messes of toys and clothes and deal with horrendously mean people all day. Chances are they are working at least an eight hour shift, maybe longer, and are tired and a tad cranky themselves. I have been on that side. It is not very fun to have dozens on dozens of people getting sassy with you because you sold out of the black bootie in a size 8 two hours ago. So please, be nice.
8. Try not to yell.
The stores will be loud. The stores will be crowded. Do not yell. It will only make it louder.
Do not yell aggressively. It will make others less inclined to help you out or move out of your way.
9. Don't throw clothes everywhere.
Refer to #7. Workers are tired and have a lot more to deal with than piles and piles of clothes everywhere. Please, try your best to put the shirt back in the same area as you found it. It's OK if it is not folded, although it would be awesome if it were.
10. Do not fight others for items.
This is the quickest way to meet your local mall security. Don't do it.
11. Say "Thank you" when you leave a store.
A little goes a long way on Black Friday. The people working the cash register and the front door will greatly appreciate a kind and simple "Thank you" as you exit. In fact, it will probably make their day.
