While many may be looking forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve in these upcoming months, there is one yearly tradition that has almost become a holiday of its own. Two words: Black Friday. Among the competitive customers, panicked employees, and numerous items that fall off the shelves, here are the 10 most common shoppers you will find on Black Friday:
1. The Traditionalist
Forget Halloween and Christmas, Black Friday is your holiday. You wake up at the crack of dawn with your family and set up a mini camping site outside all the big stores; Target, Best Buy, Walmart, you name it. No shopper will get in your way, you will be the first one to enter the store. Unless, of course, you get hit by a shopping cart first.
2. The Hunter and Gatherer
You’ve spent weeks in advance tracking down those deals in online sales papers. You know what you want. You will get what you want. Nothing can get in your way, you have those deals on lock. And once you get them, you disappear like you were never even there.
3. The Sales Addict
This is where I personally fall. Black Friday means sales as far as the eye can see. 50% off isn’t nearly good enough for you; 75% or no deal. Black Friday becomes your personal “Deal or No Deal” game. You can out-shop all the other Black Friday fools in your sleep. When this crazy holiday comes around, you shine.
4. The Window Shopper
You don’t feel any pressure to shop till you drop. You browse around until you find something you like and if you think it’s worth it, you get it. You aren’t stressing over standing in endless lines to get that popular item or camp out to get first in line, you just go with the flow when Black Friday rolls around
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5. The Bag Holder
Now, I bring old strollers along with me in case I can’t find any carts, but if you aren’t as lucky, one of your family members or friends will end up making you the designated shopping bag holder. Black Friday shopping isn’t as important to you as it is to your “highly caffeinated, wake up at 2 a.m. to camp out in front of the mall” friend, but you come along just to see what it’s all about. This puts you in the perfect position to hold all the bags. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get a spot on the various benches situated around the mall to rest until your mom, sister or friend comes out thrusting an avalanche of bags at you.
6. The Beginner
Black Friday shopping? You’ve heard about it on TV and online, but it has never really been your thing. This year is different though. You decide to embark on a mission which you don’t quite believe you are prepared for. And you’re right. In the frenzy of crazy shoppers, eternally long lines, and shopping carts coming at you like weapons, you begin to ask yourself if all this was really worth it. Consensus: maybe next year.
7. The Meticulous Shopper
In-store shopping just isn’t for you. All those deals seem more like gimmicks, and ain’t nobody got time for that. You would rather shop online or not shop at all. You’d rather sit back, enjoy your free shipping and all the Thanksgiving/Christmas specials on TV that the holiday season has to offer.
8. The Winger
You, my friend, will buy anything as long as it’s at a low price. An Easy Bake oven? You don’t even have any kids, but you can give it to your co-workers cousin’s daughter. An electric blanket? Better save that for your neighbor's grandmother. Within a couple of stress-induced, action packed, sleepless hours, you’ve lost track of all the things you’ve bought but it’s okay! At least your christmas shopping is done.
9. The Thrill-Seeker
Let’s get one thing clear, you are not here to shop (at least not shop till ya drop). You may only want to buy one or two items, but Black Friday gives you a type of energy that no other event does. You enjoy the screaming crowds of people, hazardous shopping carts, and employees trying to keep everything under control. In fact, Black Friday is an environment you thrive in. You are completely zen and it makes the shoppers around you wonder what the heck you’re doing there and how you are so happy.
10. The Squad
Whether that be a pack of friends or your family, the squad either has the coordination of the Secret Service and knows exactly where to look for what needs to be bought, or you’re all just a bunch of confused, sleep deprived people who didn’t anticipate the craziness that is Black Friday.
Whichever category you fall under, always remember that the holidays (and Black Friday) are meant to be events for families and friends to spend much-needed quality time together. If you choose to partake in Black Friday, make sure you set a budget first so that you don’t end up spending too much on items you don’t need. Most of all, have fun!
