To: Black Friday Shoppers — From: Retail Staff

Dear Black Friday Shopper,

As we move into Black Friday, the traditional shopping extravaganza, I would be truly grateful if you could keep a couple things in mind as you wait for the doors to open — saving all of that money on these sale items you can’t afford not to buy.

For one moment, look at the staff who have likely given up Thanksgiving with their family. The staff doesn’t get to take part in the sales because they are attempting to control chaos in the madness that is Black Friday.

What It’s Like To Work Retail On Black Friday

First, you don’t get to have Thanksgiving with your family. You’re working. If your family lives in town, you might be one of the lucky few who gets to drop in for a couple of hours. But as stores open earlier and earlier, all of the prep, signage, floor stacks, and “bargain bins” need to get set up, and nobody is staying late Wednesday night to do it.

That means you get to work Thursday while the store is closed.

Next, after working all day Thanksgiving Day, you get a few hours of sleep before arriving back at the store an hour before the masses rush in. If the store opens at midnight, you’re there at 11. If it opens at 5 AM, you’re there at 4.