Every year, hundreds of millions of people leave their houses bright and early, before the sun even comes up, and shop 'til they drop. Of course, everyone thinks they were a "good" Black Friday shopper if they scored the best of deals and saved some odd dollar amount off the total. While saving money is wonderful (really, it is because I'm never about to turn down a deal), but behind every store open on Black Friday is a worker who isn't getting the deals, but instead, ready to help you get them, instead.
Here's an instructive guide of how to be one of the favorite customers of the employees working on Black Friday.
- We actually aren't bitter about working on Black Friday.
It's actually the opposite. Although you usually can't schedule off on Black Friday, usually only the people that want to work are the ones who are working (at least for the longer hours). If we didn't get to work by choice, well, we are still making money. Black Friday is actually a super busy day, and that's actually preferable to a completely dead day at work.
- You're not the only tired one in the world.
Yeah, okay, you're tired and a bit cranky because you had to get up early to go shopping. Don't forget, many of the workers got up earlier than you because they had to be here to open the stores for you. And guess what - we aren't (externally) upset with you, no matter how our day is going.
- Surprisingly, we don't really care about the display we created and have to keep fixing.
Don't even bother "casually" trying to dig through the pile. Fly through it, find what you want, and lump it all back in the pile. We're serious, we don't mind fixing it. You're on a mission, and when we hit a break in people, it's something mindless to do.
- Talk to us!!!!
Our greeting may be the same old spiel we give everyone else, but if you talk to us and ask questions, we can direct you somewhere or strike up a conversation with you. You were probably going to have to wait, anyway, so why not spend your time being somewhat social? For us, it really takes away from the long day to finally have a conversation with people.
- We really like tips.
Speaking as a barista (def: coffee shop worker), we love tips. Not only does it mean we have a little bit extra in our pocket at the end of the day, but it means we know you're happy with your service. Seriously, the leftover 35 cents from your morning coffee are plenty.
- Just be friendly.
It's so much easier to be friendly to someone who is friendly back. Enough said.
(If you're friendly, we're likely to remember your face/name and give you special treatment every time you come back. Isn't that great?!)
