Many employees mentally prepare themselves before Black Friday. They know it's going to be crazy, so they go in with a positive attitude. They might think of the day as a challenge rather than a nightmare. In my experience as a Black Friday employee at an electronics store, I told myself that every difficult customer was just a test of my patience and customer service skills. And when I started looking at it that way, the stress seemed more manageable.
There are also stories of employees cheating on Black Friday. For instance, some employees might hold back the best deals for themselves or their friends before the official store opening time. This is unfair to the regular customers who have been waiting in line for hours in the cold, expecting a fair chance at the best bargains.
One horror story is the stampedes that sometimes occur. People are so eager to get into stores for the best deals that they push and shove. I heard of a case where an elderly person got knocked down and injured in the chaos outside a big - box store.
One of the top stories could be about the amazing discounts at big retail stores. For example, some electronics stores might offer huge price cuts on popular items like laptops and TVs. Shoppers line up outside stores hours before opening to get these deals.
One story from Black Friday 2016 was about a small local store. They had a special deal on handmade sweaters. People lined up outside the store early in the morning. The owner was so happy to see the long queue as it showed the community's support for local business.
Some employees might have stories about working extra - long shifts. They have to be on their feet for many hours, restocking shelves and helping customers. In my case, I worked from early morning until late at night. It was tiring, but the team spirit among the employees made it bearable. We all supported each other through the busy day.
There was a case where a family got separated in the Black Friday crowds. The parents were looking for their young child for hours. The child was terrified, lost among all those strangers. It shows how easily things can go wrong on such a busy shopping day. The family was finally reunited, but it was a very harrowing experience for them.
I know of a situation where a group of shoppers lined up outside a store hours before it opened on Black Friday. But when the doors finally opened, the security measures failed. Thieves took advantage of the chaos and stole from people's bags and pockets while everyone was focused on getting inside the store. It was a nightmare for those who had their belongings stolen and a really bad start to their Black Friday shopping.
One year on Black Friday, a store had a huge display of discounted TVs. As soon as the doors opened, two guys ran towards it. But in their haste, they didn't notice a big box in the aisle. They tripped over it and landed right in front of the TV display. Instead of getting angry, they started laughing so hard that everyone around them joined in.