Should stores be closed on Thanksgiving?

[aczlan]

you can just see all those cars circling around in those vast parking lots, looking for an opening.
And sooner, or later, somebody is going to back right into you without paying attention. It's like running a gauntlet
of bad drivers, some of whom are rude and inconsiderate, regardless of the holiday cheerfulness...
I've learned to do most of my shopping online. No crowds, no dents, no hassle. But I always walk the local mall before
Christmas, just to see the decorations and maybe see a Santa with kids. It really gets me "in the spirit".
And it's fun to people watch too.

I went to a "Midnight Black Friday special" once (to try to get a TV). Got there at ~9PM, couldn't find a place to park, took 10 mins to walk from the entrance to electronics, another 5 to find that I needed to be in pets, and 10 more minutes to get there and find that there were already 150 people in line for 100 TVs. I went home and we ordered one online. $20 more, but it was delivered to the house and we didn't have to fight with any more crowds

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

In all the discussions I've had about this, there is one thing that doesn't seem to get mentioned. I'm sure there are plenty of those employees that are happy for the extra day of pay. I know when I was struggling financially in my youth (before I had paid holidays) I hated that I was forced to take those days off, I was losing income that I needed especially right before the holidays.

Especially when employers often pay overtime for working on a holiday...

Aaron Z

 

[Midniteoyl]

Eddy, you are right, and any soldier, fireman, policeman, electrical lineman, whatever knows that when you are an
emergency responder, or a doctor or nurse, holidays always have to be covered. 24/7/365 is SOP. But do shopping services still need to be provided on that basis?

I'm going to spend Thanksgiving with my family and the very last thing I am thinking about is shopping that day.
And I'm perfectly cool with you heading to Harbor Freight for an extra 5% off.
And I'm delighted you have the freedom to do so.

I was just gonna mention 'what about the police? Airline crews/airport staff? Trains stations? Toll collectors? etc etc etc.. Many forget that just because stores are closed doesnt mean nobody's working..

 

[mjarrels]

Heck, even Virginia ABC stores jumped on the bandwagon and are openning two hours early on friday.

mark

 

[dave1949]

In all the discussions I've had about this, there is one thing that doesn't seem to get mentioned. I'm sure there are plenty of those employees that are happy for the extra day of pay. I know when I was struggling financially in my youth (before I had paid holidays) I hated that I was forced to take those days off, I was losing income that I needed especially right before the holidays.

Brian

I know that is the reality from the employees viewpoint, but there is a lot of economic smoke and mirrors going on there.

A consumer-based economy can only support X amount of spending. It doesn't matter what day or days that spending occurs. It is possible to entice people to spend on credit, or they will trample old ladies and children, even shoot each other for a chance at what is made to look like a good deal. The good deal is artificially created. That's the power of marketing.

Paying an employee "extra", or even offering "extra" hours is just part of the overall cost calculation in how to entice that spending.

 

[Western]

I like the idea that there are so many people who get excited about Black Friday and look forward to it every year. While it's not for me and I've never cared for shopping, I'm a big supporter of being able to do what makes you happy. If business can make money, then they can pay employees and people have jobs, so I'm all for that too!!! In fact, if opening on Thanksgiving day will allow employees to make money that they didn't have otherwise, I'm all for that too.

My girlfriend is a manager at one of the big hospitals in town and she has well over a hundred nurses that work for her. The hospital is open every holiday, all day and night long. None of them are complaining about working Thanksgiving. They know it's coming and they plan their family time around their work time.

Eddie

:thumbsup: When I was in Law enforcement, I didn't have a major holiday for over 15 years.

If stores want to open and folks want to go, why would I care. Not my right to tell others what they should do if it doesn't infringe on me?? Not my bag, but I cant decide "what is best for the rest of the world"

 

[daugen]

:thumbsup: When I was in Law enforcement, I didn't have a major holiday for over 15 years.

If stores want to open and folks want to go, why would I care. Not my right to tell others what they should do if it doesn't infringe on me?? Not my bag, but I cant decide "what is best for the rest of the world"

Western, that sounds like John Stuart Mill. Do what you want as long as you harm no one else.
I like it.

 

[adventure bob]

Ever hear of the term "first world problems?" Really this is the gripe of the season? I hate to sound like an *** but there are folks in Black Forest CO that were burned out who are still sleeping in tents. There are folks who got flooded that are homeless for the holidays. How about instead of mourning the loss of family values and a faith based society, we pick up and help those in need instead of bitchin about the lack of parking at the mall? Those are the actions that will demonstrate faith and the intent of the season way more than whining about stores that are open on Sunday...
And yeah Ill say it, Merry Christmas. Cause there should be Christ in Christmas.

 

[daugen]

Ever hear of the term "first world problems?" Really this is the gripe of the season? I hate to sound like an *** but there are folks in Black Forest CO that were burned out who are still sleeping in tents. There are folks who got flooded that are homeless for the holidays. How about instead of mourning the loss of family values and a faith based society, we pick up and help those in need instead of bitchin about the lack of parking at the mall? Those are the actions that will demonstrate faith and the intent of the season way more than whining about stores that are open on Sunday...




whoa, how do you know the people who are "moaning and bitchin and whining" aren't helping those people already?
By giving to charity, the Red Cross, delivering food for local food banks, working in soup kitchens.
I do, so please, easy with the broad brush.

And yeah Ill say it, Merry Christmas. Cause there should be Christ in Christmas.

And I certainly agree. Except for my Hindu neighbors. And all the other people who believe in another
higher power. And atheists, I bet they get and give presents too...being social I suppose.

 

[kc5dlo]

Its not only shopping that is taking away from "Family time". A few years ago I was driving around the old neighborhood while taking a break from the Thanksgiving celebration. The local soccer fields were full of soccer players and their families.
I was really surprised at that. Thanksgiving was one of the few times a year when us kids could go visit the grandparents. As a kid, I would have felt cheated if I lost an opportunity to spend time with my grandparents.