I Went Out On Black Thursday

People. There were people everywhere. And yuck, the ones in front of us kept smoking so the smoke kept wafting into my face. Did they need a new cigarette every twenty minutes? I mean really. I don’t look down on people who smoke—my Dad smoked for years—but he was a polite smoker. He would have never smoked in a line. He’d have stepped off to the side and done it.

At least it wasn’t cold.

My friend Jennifer and I were standing in line at Target on Thanksgiving. It was a little after 7 and the line was already stretched pretty far back. The store didn’t open until 9.

I know there were some complaints from people saying that the workers shouldn’t have to go in on Thanksgiving, that it would take time away from family…which I get, but then I was like, “Um, military people work on holidays all the time. Some are even deployed. At least the people who work get to go home after. The ones who are deployed can’t.” Plus, most of the time, Thanksgiving is over by 4 since most people eat early.

Of course when I said this on Facebook, some people didn’t get it, which is their right, but honestly I did not feel guilty shopping on Thanksgiving. The people who work at least get time and a half. When my husband worked on Thanksgiving, he didn’t get that. He worked a lot of holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years…we just dealt with it.

There were actually barricades out to prevent people from charging inside from the parking lot. This happens a lot. When I did Black Friday in Wyoming, I waited in line at Kohls and when the doors opened, people who were waiting in the comfort of their warm cars (it was FREEZING in Wyoming) rushed out and pushed past everywhere. If you’ve ever done this before, shame on you. Wait in line.

The time passed quickly and when the store opened, no one charged. It got a little nuts inside the store since people were rushing for the TVs but nothing insane. No fights, thank goodness.

I ended up with an outdoor fire pit for $29.99.

Now we can have s’mores! Mmmm.

I did not go back out at 4 AM. No thanks. I actually preferred going out Thursday evening so I hope the stores keep those sales going.

Because I will be there.