A girl's two cents...
I woke up at 4:20am this morning. I had a bunch of items that were store-only kick ass deals on a list that I wanted to get other people (not myself, as a previous post assumed) for Christmas. Tuesday was payday, so I knew it was now or never.
I hit Shopko at 4:45 and was probably the hundredth person in line. People were very excited about the day, and everyone had smiles on their faces. I was right behind an older gentleman who was, like me, by himself. When 5:00 hit, people started moving quickly toward the door, but nobody pushed or shoved, and everyone was very cordial. I got what I needed at the first store and was quickly taken through the line by very polite and happy associates.
I left Shopko and went to Sears, which also opened at 5:00 to try and get digital frames for Goat and his family. They were already gone. Again, nobody was being rude or angry, and all the associates were happy and friendly.
I left Sears and went to a secret store that opened at 6:00 to buy Goat his special gift. I got there at about 5:55. Much shorter line, because it's a really small, local shop. People were, again, happy and friendly, and I got what I needed and was taken through the line very quickly.
I left the secret store and went to Smiths at 4th and 5th, which also opened at 5:00 to try and find a blow-up mattress. They sucked, so I just bought some towels and washcloths for our Christmas guests and got out. Again, happy, friendly people all around.
I left Smiths and went to Bath and Body Works which opened at 7:00. I got there at 6:50, and there were two people waiting. The deals at Bath and Body Works were kind of an unknown special, so I got in very quickly, got cool stuff, and got out.
That was it. I stopped by McDonald's and picked up breakfast for myself and Goat, and was home by 7:30. Awesome morning.
This was my first time doing the whole Black Friday thing, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I, like many many many of the people who were out today, decided to brave the crowds because money is VERY tight this year, and I need to get the best deals now, while I have the money in the bank and can spread it out a little further. Now I can relax and not worry about waiting until the last minute to try to find something.
Every year you read about one or two people who die in a stampede. Every year. It's unfortunate, but people are total idiots on a grand scale. Everything we do as a society winds up killing one or two people. Didn't a bunch of people die in a club fire because Great White used pyrotechnics inside? That doesn't mean you shouldn't go to see a band in a club anymore. We're just dumb.
I had a great time today. It really was a lot better than I feared, and I usually hate shopping.