Retailers who are open on Thanksgiving
fbmandy55
Posts: 5,263 Member
In lieu of all of the articles that have been gracing my facebook, I am looking for some intelligent opinions on this topic. How do you feel about employers who are open on Thanksgiving, thus requiring their employees to lose the traditional family time off for the holiday? Do you think that the employers need to reevaluate their policies or should the employees be grateful for the holiday pay?
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It's called Capitalism. If you choose to work in retail, then you must accept the fact that you will work Holidays, Weekends and any other time that studies show people are likely to shop.
No different than restaurants that are open and providing " Thanksgiving Dinner".
If there were something I needed and/or was looking for a great deal on and it was only available (at the discounted rate) on Thanksgiving, I would probably partake, but my Cigar Humidor and Liquor Cabinet are already stocked.0 -
I tend to agree with that part. If you don't like it, find a job that has paid holidays as a perk.
On the other hand, I won't be shopping until Friday, because I detest the 'need' to move Christmas up more and more each year. It would be nice to enjoy a holiday without overriding another. Before too long, we won't even have a Thanksgiving anymore.0 -
Jan and Holland both have to work on Friday. I am willing to bet that Holland will want to hit some stores Thursday evening before heading back to Campus and I am the designated bag carrier.0
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"thus requiring their employees to lose the traditional family time off for the holiday"... This statement gives off the impression that retailers FORCE their employees to work or somehow chain them in the store somehow. An employee is free to seek employers who more closely fit their traditional values at any time. Retailers pay time and a half if not double time for these hours and generally don't call it mandatory for anyone below management. Why isn't it mandatory? Because there is already a long list of employees who will gladly take those hours. Not everyone has traditional "families" or even likes the ones they do have for that matter. I remember working in my teenage years and would have killed to get time in a half regardless the holiday.0
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I can't imagine that too many people are "forced" to work on Thanksgiving night - those that are are probably well-compensated salaried employees. When I used to work hourly - it was never a problem to find people who wanted to work for time and a half - there was usually a lottery or it was used by management as a reward. Especially during the holiday season - when extra money comes in handy.
IMO, the whole thing is thinly veiled anti-corporate nonsense. i.e., I hate Walmart so I am against everything they do.
Even if some people are being "forced" - why are we treating retail as a special case?
_Lots_ of people have to work on holidays. Convenience stores, gas stations, police, fire, hospitals, grocery stores, some restaurants, people stocking shelves for Black Friday, bus drivers, airline pilots, air traffic controllers, tow truck drivers, etc, etc, etc.
I'll go shopping on Thursday at some point in support of worker's right to work without interference from well-intentioned idiots advocacy (and because I NEVER seem to buy enough aerosol whipped cream in advance). :drinker:0 -
My family owned a restaurant and was open all the big holidays except Christmas and New Years day. I never heard many people complain because they made good tips and more importantly, we didn't make anyone work lunch AND dinner. That way employees could plan which time, lunch or dinner, that they wanted to eat with their families. My dad had it worked out that we took reservations for different seatings. 11:00, 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00. We had all of our extended family come up at 5 and that is when we all sat down and ate. Hell, my wife (nurse) has to work on Thanksgiving so I am taking the kids by myself to see my side of the family. Then, on Saturday....we came up with this super crazy idea to have Thanksgiving with her family. Because I don't know if everyone knows this little secret...you can work for extra pay on a holiday and then celebrate it on another day! Turns out that there are no secret police stopping you from holding your family Christmas on December 26th. Crazy, I know.0
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Anyone is free to make whatever distinction they want between what they feel is "proper" and what isn't. And you are free to "boycott" whomever you wish.
I understand the antipathy towards the big retailers for their heavy-handed approach to trying to push everyone into the seasonal buying frenzy (as opposed to other businesses that actually serve a need on a holiday). However, it really isn't any different. This is one of the classic cases where the market is going to determine what is "right" and what is "wrong". If everyone thinks the idea sucks, they'll stay home and the practice will stop. If they make tons o' $$$ from the rubes, then it shows there is a demand and they will stay open.
What really sucks is how some of the big-box stores (big surprise) manipulate employee hours before and after a holiday to make sure that the extra "holiday pay" doesn't really add anything extra to Walmart's costs (or to the employee's wallets). But that's a different topic.0 -
Do you think that the employers need to reevaluate their policies or should the employees be grateful for the holiday pay?
I think that they should be grateful for their jobs, not the holiday pay. Employers aren't even required to pay it in every state. Besides, I'm sure that they know far enough in advance that they'll have to work on Thanksgiving. They can rearrange their plans. This is just part of being an adult. If they don't like it, they should find employment with companies that are closed on holidays.0 -
Interesting point.Even if some people are being "forced" - why are we treating retail as a special case?
_Lots_ of people have to work on holidays. Convenience stores, gas stations, police, fire, hospitals, grocery stores, some restaurants, people stocking shelves for Black Friday, bus drivers, airline pilots, air traffic controllers, tow truck drivers, etc, etc, etc.0 -
I haven't had to look for a job for a long time but I was under the impression that they are still not something there is a plethora of out there. Some of you say "If you don't like it get another job" in a manner that suggest it's as easy as making a sandwich if you don't like what's served for dinner. I have a friend with a PhD who worked for years as a university professor. He's working in a restaurant now and that's only because his family owns it. He is trying to get a job in retail for the holiday season and no one will hire him. Jobs aren't as plentiful as some of you seem to believe.
I think it's ridiculous that companies are open on Thanksgiving. Perhaps the people who make that decision should have to give up their family meal then we'll see where their priorities lie. This is nothing more than more corporate greed. Yes, there are people who will shop that day because they don't care about the workers missing their family meal nearly as much as they care about saving a few dollars on a video game. It's a damn shame and a sad commentary on how we treat our fellow man.0 -
Anyone is free to make whatever distinction they want between what they feel is "proper" and what isn't. And you are free to "boycott" whomever you wish.
I understand the antipathy towards the big retailers for their heavy-handed approach to trying to push everyone into the seasonal buying frenzy (as opposed to other businesses that actually serve a need on a holiday). However, it really isn't any different. This is one of the classic cases where the market is going to determine what is "right" and what is "wrong". If everyone thinks the idea sucks, they'll stay home and the practice will stop. If they make tons o' $$$ from the rubes, then it shows there is a demand and they will stay open.
What really sucks is how some of the big-box stores (big surprise) manipulate employee hours before and after a holiday to make sure that the extra "holiday pay" doesn't really add anything extra to Walmart's costs (or to the employee's wallets). But that's a different topic.
I agree with this, except for the last paragraph. I don't know about other big-box stores, but I work for Walmart and I will be very well compensated for my time on Thanksgiving! No manipulation of hours, in fact worked extra the week before and will work extra the week after.
I actually don't mind working the holiday (although some people do) I manage to squeeze in several family dinners during the week and they cater food in for us at the store on Thanksgiving.0 -
I haven't had to look for a job for a long time but I was under the impression that they are still not something there is a plethora of out there. Some of you say "If you don't like it get another job" in a manner that suggest it's as easy as making a sandwich if you don't like what's served for dinner. I have a friend with a PhD who worked for years as a university professor. He's working in a restaurant now and that's only because his family owns it. He is trying to get a job in retail for the holiday season and no one will hire him. Jobs aren't as plentiful as some of you seem to believe.
I think it's ridiculous that companies are open on Thanksgiving. Perhaps the people who make that decision should have to give up their family meal then we'll see where their priorities lie. This is nothing more than more corporate greed. Yes, there are people who will shop that day because they don't care about the workers missing their family meal nearly as much as they care about saving a few dollars on a video game. It's a damn shame and a sad commentary on how we treat our fellow man.
In wholehearted agreement with both parts. A propos the second half and the OP, I think it's very sad that non-essential businesses are open at all on a day that should be about spending time with people you care about. Inevitably there will be people who will have to work on Thanksgiving/Christmas etc, but those people should primarily be health and emergency workers, and others whose jobs are indispensible to safety and functionality (and knew that going into these professions), not retail assistants. Will someone die because they couldn't buy their Christmas presents on Thanksgiving? I rather doubt it.
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK, so Christmas is the closest alternative to offer an example of a better way (in my opinion). My cousin's wife is the manager of a major department store, and across the entire chain of shops, staff stay late on Christmas Eve so that everything is in readiness for the big sales that start on Boxing Day (December 26th, also a national holiday here). Everyone gets Christmas day off, and different staff, from cleaning to management, are rostered for the late evening on the 24th and the start of business on the 26th, so that every member of staff gets to spend as much time as is feasible with their families and loved ones. Sounds like a much better set of priorities to me, and doesn't hurt business - this hugely-successful chain is owned in shares by its' employees, so every staff member has an incentive for the shop to do well - if being closed for major holidays was really hurting the bottom line, and their individual dividends, I doubt this system would remain in place. Clearly it doesn't - who goes shopping on Christmas Day who won't go one day later for whatever they need/want in any case? If someone's really keen, there's always the option of buying online.0 -
I haven't had to look for a job for a long time but I was under the impression that they are still not something there is a plethora of out there. Some of you say "If you don't like it get another job" in a manner that suggest it's as easy as making a sandwich if you don't like what's served for dinner. I have a friend with a PhD who worked for years as a university professor. He's working in a restaurant now and that's only because his family owns it. He is trying to get a job in retail for the holiday season and no one will hire him. Jobs aren't as plentiful as some of you seem to believe.
I think it's ridiculous that companies are open on Thanksgiving. Perhaps the people who make that decision should have to give up their family meal then we'll see where their priorities lie. This is nothing more than more corporate greed. Yes, there are people who will shop that day because they don't care about the workers missing their family meal nearly as much as they care about saving a few dollars on a video game. It's a damn shame and a sad commentary on how we treat our fellow man.
In wholehearted agreement with both parts. A propos the second half and the OP, I think it's very sad that non-essential businesses are open at all on a day that should be about spending time with people you care about. Inevitably there will be people who will have to work on Thanksgiving/Christmas etc, but those people should primarily be health and emergency workers, and others whose jobs are indispensible to safety and functionality (and knew that going into these professions), not retail assistants. Will someone die because they couldn't buy their Christmas presents on Thanksgiving? I rather doubt it.
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK, so Christmas is the closest alternative to offer an example of a better way (in my opinion). My cousin's wife is the manager of a major department store, and across the entire chain of shops, staff stay late on Christmas Eve so that everything is in readiness for the big sales that start on Boxing Day (December 26th, also a national holiday here). Everyone gets Christmas day off, and different staff, from cleaning to management, are rostered for the late evening on the 24th and the start of business on the 26th, so that every member of staff gets to spend as much time as is feasible with their families and loved ones. Sounds like a much better set of priorities to me, and doesn't hurt business - this hugely-successful chain is owned in shares by its' employees, so every staff member has an incentive for the shop to do well - if being closed for major holidays was really hurting the bottom line, and their individual dividends, I doubt this system would remain in place. Clearly it doesn't - who goes shopping on Christmas Day who won't go one day later for whatever they need/want in any case? If someone's really keen, there's always the option of buying online.
Maybe it's a European mindset. We spent 1 1/2 years in Germany. No stores are open on Sunday. It's just not done. No one dies because they can't get milk on Sunday. They plan for it. Now we're in the UK. We've been here since July. Stores are closed a lot earlier here than in the states. You know how people manage to function? They shop earlier. They plan for it. Americans are much more "instant gratification" and "it's all about me". You can see it in the comments above. If someone actually wants to spend time with their family they should get another job. If they want to go shopping they will and they don't care who has to suffer because of it. If Americans want milk at 3am on a Sunday there is someplace open, probably within a matter of just a few miles, who will sell it to them. Ditto video games, a burger, etc. If Americans are told they can't shop on Sunday they go ballistic. You'd think the day moved around and they never knew it was coming right after Saturday. They can't function. I saw it a lot in Germany. I see it here "What do you mean the store closes at 4:00?!?!" It's all me me me all the time. It's disgusting.0 -
Maybe it's a European mindset. We spent 1 1/2 years in Germany. No stores are open on Sunday. It's just not done. No one dies because they can't get milk on Sunday. They plan for it. Now we're in the UK. We've been here since July. Stores are closed a lot earlier here than in the states. You know how people manage to function? They shop earlier. They plan for it. Americans are much more "instant gratification" and "it's all about me". You can see it in the comments above. If someone actually wants to spend time with their family they should get another job. If they want to go shopping they will and they don't care who has to suffer because of it. If Americans want milk at 3am on a Sunday there is someplace open, probably within a matter of just a few miles, who will sell it to them. Ditto video games, a burger, etc. If Americans are told they can't shop on Sunday they go ballistic. You'd think the day moved around and they never knew it was coming right after Saturday. They can't function. I saw it a lot in Germany. I see it here "What do you mean the store closes at 4:00?!?!" It's all me me me all the time. It's disgusting.
I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain about a place that is closed on Sunday (although the only one I can think of offhand is "Hobby Lobby"). I do know that many of us don't like it when our _government_, at whatever level, tells us that businesses cannot be open on Sundays. I think there is an important difference there - between creepy government enforcement of the Sabbath and the individual right to have your business open whenever you want.
But more generally - If I want milk at 3am - and someone has milk that they want to sell me at 3am - we should be able to come to an arrangement (I imagine in the form of milk at an inflated price).
I don't see it as a symptom of an "all about me" society hell-bent on "instant gratification."
If you want to talk about "all about me" culture - what harm is occurring to people who don't want to shop on holidays when people who do want to shop on holidays, at stores who want to be open on holidays, are afforded that opportunity? Is there some new human right to meddle in the harmless affairs of others that I am, as of yet, unaware? THAT seems presumptuous and self-centered to me.
"What do you mean the store closes at 4:00?!?!" < I suspect that the incredulity here is more like, "So, they are only open when most people are at work too?" With which I agree - I don't ultimately care (I can always go to Amazon or Walmart) and I would never try to change that through a boycott or government action - but it seems like a poor business decision.0 -
If you want to talk about "all about me" culture - what harm is occurring to people who don't want to shop on holidays when people who do want to shop on holidays, at stores who want to be open on holidays, are afforded that opportunity?
Coming full circle... how about the harm that is inflicted upon store employees, and their families, because someone else is desperate to shop on a holiday, meaning shops must be staffed, and some business owners feel that catering to that desire is more important than looking after their employee's good morale and giving them the chance to spend time with those they care about on a day when, at least in theory, everyone should be off work and able to cohere into a unit of some sort(and there are very, very few days like that in the year). Plus the knock-on effect of more people out and about, which means more transport workers, sanitation folk, emergency workers etc etc etc and their families/friends/social units are also affected by the shoppers' insatiability. Or, for that matter, the harm to the family and friends of those for whom shopping is more important than spending time with those they care about on holidays that are designed to promote that.0 -
My nephew was fired because he didn't work today. he told his boss he wouldn't be able to work on Thanksgiving weekend 3 months ago. His parents bought airline tickets and they all flew to CA from MI for the holiday. Last week his boss scheduled him to work today anyhow. He told him "I can't. I already told you about this months ago. We have airline tickets to CA and we leave Tuesday after I get off work." His boss told him "Well you have a choice. You can spend Thanksgiving in CA or you can have a job."0
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My nephew was fired because he didn't work today. he told his boss he wouldn't be able to work on Thanksgiving weekend 3 months ago. His parents bought airline tickets and they all flew to CA from MI for the holiday. Last week his boss scheduled him to work today anyhow. He told him "I can't. I already told you about this months ago. We have airline tickets to CA and we leave Tuesday after I get off work." His boss told him "Well you have a choice. You can spend Thanksgiving in CA or you can have a job."
That's appalling. As he gave plenty of notice of his intent to take holiday leave, can your nephew sue for unfair dismissal? I assume the employer did not say "No, you can't have Thanksgiving off" when he first gave notice of his plans three months ago?0 -
I don't understand the premise that stores make more by being open on holidays, or 24 hours, or every day for that matter. Given a finite amount of consumer dollars, wouldn't it follow that operating costs take up a bigger proportion of the profits when the stores are open 24/7?
Personally, I choose to do my shopping on week days or Saturdays in the hours around the so-called normal work day, not at night or on Sundays. You know, the way we did it before there was Sunday opening or 24 hour stores. I hate that stores are open on holidays, even if employees are offered a choice about whether or not to work. Then again, I don't view shopping as entertainment and have the ability to plan my purchases most of the time.
I just saw video of a Black Friday riot on the morning news. The mob is out in full force today. Sad.0 -
My nephew was fired because he didn't work today. he told his boss he wouldn't be able to work on Thanksgiving weekend 3 months ago. His parents bought airline tickets and they all flew to CA from MI for the holiday. Last week his boss scheduled him to work today anyhow. He told him "I can't. I already told you about this months ago. We have airline tickets to CA and we leave Tuesday after I get off work." His boss told him "Well you have a choice. You can spend Thanksgiving in CA or you can have a job."
That's appalling. As he gave plenty of notice of his intent to take holiday leave, can your nephew sue for unfair dismissal? I assume the employer did not say "No, you can't have Thanksgiving off" when he first gave notice of his plans three months ago?
Black Friday is typically compulsory for all employees, almost no exception, and since the recent openings on Thanksgiving are a moving up of Black Friday, it still counts. The only recourse that young man has is if he has it written in black and white somewhere that his time off was approved by management.0 -
I understand the need for essential services (medical facilities, police, fire, etc) to be open on holidays, but those are trained professions. The people choosing them have upwards of a decade to determine if that's a sacrifice they're willing to make. (And, to be fair, small town police officers often don't have to work on Thanksgiving, or at least not actively - they may be on an on-call status for emergency purposes.)
The people that work retail or restaurants don't have that luxury, and are often working it because nothing else is available. The line level employees are often teenagers or college kids, where the odd hours allow them to work around their class schedule.
Even working at a gas station or restaurant is a far cry different than working retail. Granted, if you're one of the only gas stations (or food places) open in the area, then it's going to be a busy day for you, but it's nothing compared to the hell that is working retail on Black Friday. Many of the restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving are only open for the morning.
For the retail workers, Black Friday starts long before the doors open, which is something many people don't understand. The merchandise can't be set up while the store is open, so it has to be done before. If a store closes at 9 or 10pm on Wednesday, is closed on Thanksgiving day and opens at, say, 5am on Friday, then the team has time to set up without cutting too much into the holiday, though it is still disruptive. They unload the trucks after closing, and set up either on Wednesday night, or early Friday morning. It makes for a late night and early morning (especially if you're the poor sap who has to close on Wednesday and open on Friday), but at least Thursday is still available.
When the doors open at 6pm on Thursday, then the setup team has to be in before that. If you're lucky, and only need to be there by 5, then you have to have Thanksgiving brunch instead of dinner. If you're not so lucky, then you can consider your Thanksgiving day shot. Oh, and you're probably stuck on a 12-hour shift, too, so even if you don't have to go in until later, you're probably either stuck with pulling an all-nighter, or you're going to have to take a nap during the day. There goes more of the holiday.
Historically (in my experience, having worked retail), Black Friday is compulsory for all employees, with few, if any, exceptions. If this is the case for opening on Thanksgiving, then that's what I take most issue with. If working that day is entirely volunteer, with no ramifications for saying "no, I can't work it," then that's a different matter. I personally know someone who volunteered to work on Thanksgiving day, so I know there are some people who would jump at the opportunity. That's not everyone, though, and if companies really care for their employees, then they'd respect that and only open if they get enough volunteers to cover it. This goes for the store as a whole, too - if the general manager of a store chooses to not open on Thanksgiving day, they shouldn't be forced to, and things like this - http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/pizza-hut-manager-fired-after-refusing-to-open-on-thanksgiving-1.6513873 - shouldn't happen.
Oh, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are generally the only two guaranteed holidays retail employees get off. Now, that count is down to one, setting the precedent to nix the other within a few years, if this one sticks.
As far as pay goes, the US Department of Labor (for US workers, at least), doesn't dictate holiday pay, so extra pay isn't guaranteed. Some places are a little shady, too, in that even if the company does pay holiday pay, whether you actually get it depends on when you clocked in (ie - if you clocked in before midnight on Wednesday and work into Thursday morning, you don't get the holiday pay; and no, you can't clock out and back in). This latter note may or may not affect workers right now (it depends on when the merchandizers have to do their work), but if they continue to open earlier and earlier and still treat it like Black Friday, this may eventually come into play. But again, being open on a holiday does not guarantee that the people working it will get holiday pay, nor will it guarantee something like time-and-a-half or double time if they do get holiday pay.
It's easy to say "if you don't like it, find somewhere else to work," but actually doing so is a lot harder, especially if you have rent to pay and mouths to feed. Regardless of whether you're educated, this is still a "buyers market" when it comes to employment, which means that employers will be overly picky for finding people. Searching for a job does not equate to finding one and getting hired, and in the meantime, you have to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. If you're in the process of going to school in an effort to "better yourself," it can make it even harder to find a new job, because not many that don't already require a degree have the flexibility required to deal with a college class schedule. The college degree, in itself, doesn't guarantee a "better" job, either, since there are typically more graduates than there are jobs for them.
So, while they're not literally chained to the store (that would be illegal, that whole "unlawful detention" thing), they are, in a sense, forced to work a Black Friday shift if they want to remain employed and avoid the circumstance of "sucking from the welfare/government teat," as some would like to put it, because they can't find another job at the moment.I don't understand the premise that stores make more by being open on holidays, or 24 hours, or every day for that matter. Given a finite amount of consumer dollars, wouldn't it follow that operating costs take up a bigger proportion of the profits when the stores are open 24/7?
Generally speaking, (a lot of) the operating costs of a brick and mortar store are incurred regardless of whether the store is open. They typically have lights running all the time for security, and refrigeration systems have to stay running, as well. This makes the operating costs of having the store open only marginally higher than having it closed at a given time. In places with an active night life, the operating costs of being open 24/7 are outweighed by the money made by being open for the night owls.0 -
I don't care if retailers are open on the holidays or not... As long as the workers are being properly compensated. There have been a few times where I have been genuinely grateful that a grocery store has been open when everything else is closed.
What I don't like is all the Black Friday crap that feeds into peoples greed and materialism.0 -
Granted, if you're one of the only gas stations (or food places) open in the area, then it's going to be a busy day for you,
This isn't necessarily true.... I went into Walmart this past Thanksgiving day a few hours before the Black "Friday" sales started and there weren't many people around (outside of the employees setting things up)... I have also been in an Albertson's on Christmas day and it was practically deserted... Even been to Cracker Barrel on a Thanksgiving day and it wasn't that bad... BUT I have worked food service on the day after holiday's and it was a madhouse... absolutely horrid.0 -
Maybe it's a European mindset. We spent 1 1/2 years in Germany. No stores are open on Sunday. It's just not done. No one dies because they can't get milk on Sunday. They plan for it. Now we're in the UK. We've been here since July. Stores are closed a lot earlier here than in the states. You know how people manage to function? They shop earlier. They plan for it. Americans are much more "instant gratification" and "it's all about me". You can see it in the comments above. If someone actually wants to spend time with their family they should get another job. If they want to go shopping they will and they don't care who has to suffer because of it. If Americans want milk at 3am on a Sunday there is someplace open, probably within a matter of just a few miles, who will sell it to them. Ditto video games, a burger, etc. If Americans are told they can't shop on Sunday they go ballistic. You'd think the day moved around and they never knew it was coming right after Saturday. They can't function. I saw it a lot in Germany. I see it here "What do you mean the store closes at 4:00?!?!" It's all me me me all the time. It's disgusting.
The reason we can't get to the store at 4:00 is because the typical American workday ends at 5-- if you're lucky.
Americans work more hours than Europeans. That might explain why we have less time to do our shopping than you do: http://www.nber.org/papers/w11278
It's not like Europeans are these mythical creatures who know no greed, who want no items, and who never run out of milk at an inopportune time. We're all humans. I'm sure some Germans would love to get Black Friday deals. Just because it's not a thing in their country doesn't mean they wouldn't react the same way as Americans, were it instated.
I really take offense to your tone.
I also take great offense toI think that they should be grateful for their jobs, not the holiday pay. Employers aren't even required to pay it in every state. Besides, I'm sure that they know far enough in advance that they'll have to work on Thanksgiving. They can rearrange their plans. This is just part of being an adult. If they don't like it, they should find employment with companies that are closed on holidays.
1. It is NOT easy to switch jobs
2. Especially if you are working in retail-- many people in retail are illegal immigrants, have handicaps, haven't got a college degree, or are in some way disadvantaged
3. Retail pays crap, so to work on holidays for a horrid wage is just inhuman (have some sympathy!)0 -
Maybe it's a European mindset. We spent 1 1/2 years in Germany. No stores are open on Sunday. It's just not done. No one dies because they can't get milk on Sunday. They plan for it. Now we're in the UK. We've been here since July. Stores are closed a lot earlier here than in the states. You know how people manage to function? They shop earlier. They plan for it. Americans are much more "instant gratification" and "it's all about me". You can see it in the comments above. If someone actually wants to spend time with their family they should get another job. If they want to go shopping they will and they don't care who has to suffer because of it. If Americans want milk at 3am on a Sunday there is someplace open, probably within a matter of just a few miles, who will sell it to them. Ditto video games, a burger, etc. If Americans are told they can't shop on Sunday they go ballistic. You'd think the day moved around and they never knew it was coming right after Saturday. They can't function. I saw it a lot in Germany. I see it here "What do you mean the store closes at 4:00?!?!" It's all me me me all the time. It's disgusting.
The reason we can't get to the store at 4:00 is because the typical American workday ends at 5-- if you're lucky.
Americans work more hours than Europeans. That might explain why we have less time to do our shopping than you do: http://www.nber.org/papers/w11278
It's not like Europeans are these mythical creatures who know no greed, who want no items, and who never run out of milk at an inopportune time. We're all humans. I'm sure some Germans would love to get Black Friday deals. Just because it's not a thing in their country doesn't mean they wouldn't react the same way as Americans, were it instated.
I really take offense to your tone.
I'm not European. I'm American. I just live in the UK now. I am well aware of how many hours Americans work. I never suggested that stores close up at 5. I merely pointed out that Americans tend to be very self centered and expect stores to be open 24/7 on the off chance that they want something. Americans are the most me, me, me now, now, now culture I've ever known. Other countries realize that employees deserve a day off once in a while. American corporate mindset rules that country though and if there is a chance that they can turn a profit they don't give a damn who has to deal with what for it to happen. If you don't like that then work to change it and don't fuel the problem by shopping on Thanksgiving or at stores like Walmart who cost people a LOT more than they charge at the register due to corporate and welfare subsidies that we all pay for every store.0 -
Honestly, I'm grateful that stores don't close until 10 around here... Why? Because I work Monday through Friday until 5 and don't get home until close to 6. I like to do my grocery shopping after 8 pm on a Friday... why? So I can spend the whole weekend doing other things with my family. I get done shopping faster as well. Otherwise I am going at 8 am on a Saturday and it rushes my whole weekend.0
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Honestly, I'm grateful that stores don't close until 10 around here... Why? Because I work Monday through Friday until 5 and don't get home until close to 6. I like to do my grocery shopping after 8 pm on a Friday... why? So I can spend the whole weekend doing other things with my family. I get done shopping faster as well. Otherwise I am going at 8 am on a Saturday and it rushes my whole weekend.
Yeah, I don't mind stores being open late in general, even 24 hours. That actually helps people with odd schedules have a place to work (second job, school, etc), or even get their usual chores done on the schedule that works for them. As long as the company's reasonable about their shift work policies (ie - people work the odd hours because they choose to, or the companies don't do stupid stuff like make them work a 4-midnight shift then expect them in again at 9am), and otherwise take the employees' needs into consideration, I have no problem with it.0 -
Some blessings come in the form of a curse. The problem with being an employee is that you don't make the rules. The problem of being a business owner is that you have to compete with other businesses or be out of business, and in CA, employees are easy to come by and replace.My nephew was fired because he didn't work today. he told his boss he wouldn't be able to work on Thanksgiving weekend 3 months ago. His parents bought airline tickets and they all flew to CA from MI for the holiday. Last week his boss scheduled him to work today anyhow. He told him "I can't. I already told you about this months ago. We have airline tickets to CA and we leave Tuesday after I get off work." His boss told him "Well you have a choice. You can spend Thanksgiving in CA or you can have a job."
I am sorry for your nephew, and I hope he finds something better in his near future.
As for me... I have worked weekends, holidays, days, nights, swing shift, etc, and I have accepted this as part of my job since the very very start. I have worked mostly in Emergency Rooms and - well - people just don't know how to schedule their emergencies and heart attacks and car accidents. ... Maybe it's the instant gratification thing.
I celebrate Christmas on ... any day I'm off Christmas week. I celebrate New Years at Midnight on the 31st no matter where I am at. Sometimes I have to celebrate it with my co-workers.
If a job fired me because I chose my family over the job... good riddance. My family comes first.... I just schedule it that way... based on my work schedule. If they have an emergency... HEY double bonus. Come to MY ER, I get paid to take care of you AND I get to spend time with you. jk jk jk
What do I think about corporations trying to make money by being open on a holiday? Good for them. I might not go buy on that day because I am working or spending it with my family, but if it makes sense to them, them it makes sense.0
