The Dark Side of Black Friday: A Retail Insider’s Horror Stories
As a former retail employee, I’ve seen it all – the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. And when it comes to Black Friday, the experience can be downright terrifying. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let me regale you with my top horrific moments as a former retailer employee.
The Fight Club of Black Friday
I’ll never forget the first Black Friday fight I witnessed. It was post-Thanksgiving Friday in 2009, and I was working the sales floor when two women got into a heated argument over a handbag. The situation escalated quickly, with both women ready to come to blows. Thankfully, our stock room hero, Max, intervened and managed to deescalate the situation. But what was truly disturbing was the fact that one of the women was only 15 years old, and the adult involved refused to back down even after the situation had been defused.
Punched in the Face
Yes, you read that right. I was literally punched in the face on Black Friday. It wasn’t intentional, of course – I was just caught in the crossfire of a shopping war between a man trying to buy in bulk and a woman who just wanted one bag. The chaos was intense, and before I knew it, I was on the receiving end of a flailing arm. Fortunately, it wasn’t a hard hit, and the woman was mortified and apologetic afterwards.
Shop ‘Til You Drop – Literally
Black Friday shopping is not for the faint of heart. One woman came into our store, possibly dehydrated from waiting in line, and promptly fainted near the display table. What was disturbing was that the other shoppers didn’t seem to care, with one person even stepping over her to get to the deals. Our security guard, who was also in EMT training, sprang into action to help the woman, but it was a sobering reminder of the no-holds-barred mentality of some consumers.
Mob Ties
What’s truly freaky about Black Friday is the blatant display of toxic consumerism. The lines outside the store can quickly turn into mobs, with adults willing to do whatever it takes to get their hands on a discounted item. I’ve seen people block doors, push, and shove – all for the sake of saving a few bucks. As a store greeter, I’ve been cursed at, talked down to, and more, all because people can’t bear to wait. It’s a sobering reminder of the darker side of human nature.
So there you have it – my top horrific moments as a former retailer employee. Black Friday may be a time for deals and discounts, but it’s also a time for chaos, confusion, and sometimes, downright horror.
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