These Black Friday Pics Will Make You Glad You Did All Your Shopping At 3 AM In Your Footie Pajamas
Black Friday offers a lot of appeal because there are few things more satisfying than snagging an amazing deal during a sale. While getting all of your Christmas shopping (and maybe also getting yourself some goods in the process) done on one day might seem idyllic, there are also many downsides to the shopping holiday.
The chaotic environment that surrounds Black Friday shopping is the stuff of nightmares and can be a huge deterrent for even the most intense sale-seekers. Here are some photos of past Black Friday's that will make you glad you're shopping entirely online.
The Line Ups Before Are Nuts
If you want to get access to the store close to when the doors open, you have to start lining up early and be prepared to wait for hours in the cold.
When The Gates Open, Pure Chaos Ensues
People start running like crazy when the gates and doors open, as if they're storming in for battle. It's both amusing and terrifying. In this photo, people are ducking the gates that aren't even up.
The Flood Hits
Once the doors are fully open, there's just an open flood of people pushing into the store in a clump. It's more congested and aggressive than the mosh pit at that horrible concert your ex dragged you to last year.
Inside The Stores, You Have Standing Room Only
Want to look around the store? You have to be prepared for your trip from the front near the workout tank tops to the back where the leggings are to take you up to 30 minutes while weaving through people in Lululemon.
In Fact, Standing Room Might Be A Luxury Reserved To Certain Stores...
The full-tilt chaos going on in this photo makes me never want to leave my house and interact with society again. I will live off of raisins and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.
... I Mean, Unless The Sales Suck
If you are trying to find a safe haven within your local shopping mall, look for a store whose sales aren't too impressive. If they have a "20% Off" sign in a mirror, you can bet it will almost be empty.
Makeup Shopping Offers New Nightmares
Just trying to get a swatch of the new Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeshadow palette? Good luck getting through the cluster of girls trying to do the same. You have to go in elbows up just to get close to the products.
Shoe Shopping Is A Whole Different Ball Game
Shoe shopping is extra hard because you have to search through poorly organized, picked over boxes amidst other women doing the same. There are a limited number of shoes in each size, and you need to get the last size 7 before anyone else.
These Fists Are Rated E For Everyone Who Gets In My Way
Many people wouldn't typically consider themselves to be violent, but Black Friday brings out people's animalistic nature. You better be prepared for fists coming your way if you're trying to snag the last iPhone 11.
The Waiting Comes Around Again
You thought the waiting was done when you got in at midnight? Not quite. With every new store you visit, you have to wait outside in line like you're at a club until the bouncer lets you in.
It's The Immersive Experience From Hell
After your first shopping trip of the day, you think that you're prepared for anything that can hit you. Wrong. You walk into the store and re-experience the shock at how crowded and messy everything is.
Good Luck Getting A Cart
Shopping carts and baskets are all taken by this point, so you either have to hope you find an abandoned one in store (unlikely) or be prepared to carry way too many items in your arms as you snatch and move through the aisles.
Just Be Glad You're Not An Employee
Retail employees who work on Black Friday are some of the bravest and most resilient human beings on the planet. They are currently living in hell and only getting paid minimum wage to try to manage the anarchy surrounding them.
Employees Have The Near Impossible Task Of Keeping The Peace
Apart from the typically draining parts of working in retail, these employees are breaking up fights, trying to reorganize items while customers tear the store apart, and practically contain the retail apocalypse inside the store.
The Whole Day Is An Exhausting Blur
Throughout all of the madness, frantic searching, moving around, and crowds, the whole day kind of blurs together into one messy memory. It's like going out at night with your friends, but without the fun part.
By The End Of The Day, Your Hands Hurt From Grasping Bags
At the end of your Black Friday shopping spree, you have many shopping bags in your hands, one or two with store names you can't remember even shopping at, and they're digging into your bruised palms.
There Are Worse Injuries To Face
Every year during Black Friday, plenty of people suffer minor and major injuries. Common Black Friday accidents include trampling, scratching, crushing by boxes, and lead to injuries as serious as crushed organs and internal bleeding.
Some People Have Even Died On The Shopping Holiday
The website BlackFridayDeathCount.com has been counting the number of people who experience death and major injuries on Black Friday since 2008. Some people are killed in disputes over items, during stampedes to enter stores, and in parking lot car collisions.
All Of That Chaos Can Be Avoided By Shopping From Your Couch
Maybe the sales are great in-store, but are they worth the hassle when online sales are often also great deals? I'd take a shopping day on my couch while wearing my fuzzy socks over the in-store experience any day.
This Could Be You If You're Not Playing
Capitalize on Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales online and treat yourself! In a week you'll have boxes on boxes of items without even needing to leave home.
However, if you do end up hitting the stores on Black Friday, have fun snagging sales and stay safe. Happy shopping!
