Black Friday, Red Thursday and other days that will get colors

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, when ever it is that you're reading me!  I want to talk about Black Friday, well actually the day before.  You know the day that is for all American's to be gluttons and eat and eat and eat.  Hey I'm not complaining mind you because I love food.

However I'm not here today to make fun of Americans or our crazy fancy holidays.  Nope, I am here to make fun of Americans and how we can't ever be happy.

Okay happy is the right word.  For the last couple of years we've had more and more stores start to open up Thanksgiving night or all day Thanksgiving even.  This has caused an outrage...if you're company is named Wal-Mart...for the most part.  These people need to be at home with their families watching the football game (never mind the players aren't with their families...I've never heard any outcry for them, or the officials, or the TV crews, camera men, cheerleaders, production people, truck people, security guards at the game....you get my drift).

And I know why people aren't upset about the Lions players, they are making a lot of money, so it is okay.  But that cashier at Wal-Mart....Wal-Mart is evil!  Well when I'm not there taking advantage of their fabulous deals that is!

I've was lucky that the bookstore that shall not be named that I worked for wasn't open on Thanksgiving, however I would have no problem working it.  Do you know why?  Right on the application it asks about holidays and weekends.  These people knew that they *MIGHT* have to work on say Thanksgiving or The Fourth or Easter or Flag Day or Pioneer's Day or whatever made up holiday it is. 

Does it suck?  Perhaps for some people who truly want to be with their families, however they aren't working 12-15 hour days.  They will still get to spend time with their families just not all day.

I've also seen people talk about how the CEO's and the higher ups won't have to work that day.  You are correct.  They also don't have to work weekends while others do.  That argument seems flawed to me somehow.....

Should these people have to work on a holiday...yes...if the public demands it...and guess what boys and girls...they do.  Oh boy do they ever.

I work for a movie theater chain now and guess what one of the biggest days of the year is?  Christmas.  So guess what that means?  Some poor souls have to work the ticket booth and concession stand and sweep up after your snot nosed brats and start the movies and all that. 

They are open because there is a demand for it.  You bet the CEO's are greedy and want money, that is their job.  Companies could ignore Black Friday, and be closed on Sunday's for religious reasons.  Of course that means that the consumers will go else where those day...and possibly other days as well. 

We as consumers have 100's of choices so companies need to do whatever they can to get us to come into their establishments.  If that means being open on Thanksgiving then they will. 

While I've never been shopping on Thanksgiving I have gone out to eat and have gone to the movies.  I have also worked those days at the University who shall not be named because people needed me.  My customers needed me so I helped them.  That includes all holidays.  Christmas day while I was working at the University I was answering tickets because people were studying and needed help.  No one asked me or expected me to do it.  I did it because that is what my customers needed.

Same with these business.  Do you think Walgreens would be open if they didn't make enough money to make it worth their wild?  Of course not.  It isn't the companies who are at fault...its us...the consumers.  We are quick to make blame, but we are sending it in the wrong direction. 

I'll end with this old saying, and I'm sure I'll butcher it:

Remember When You Point A Finger At Someone, There Are Three More Pointing back At You.