Is it just me or....?

Question

is it just me or do local stores and malls not disgust the heck out of you? I am a firm believer that Christmas doesnt't have to be so commericalized if you choose for it not to be. Not everyone has to participate in all the crazy amount of shopping taking place, but i find it sad that people like me and others out there that feel the same way get stuck working rediculous store holiday hours just so owners can make an extra couple bucks. my husband for example works in the local mall which changes its hours to be open later all of december. I work at a grocery store part-time while going to school and we are open till 6pm on Christmas eve. We dont get to go home until 6:30. even the mall is closed at 5pm along with many other shops in the area. its sad that with 364 days to prepare some rude person will be in at the last minute puicking up groceries for Christmas dinner while people working have family they would like to go home to. it just really gets to me

wow...some people truely are ignorant. i'm guessing those with no problems with it are the ones who will be out shopping that day who dont have to work or dont have a life. I too have a family and have to work, but I still manage to get everything done on time. And the point is that no...the bosses never work the late hours. My husbands bosses dont even celebrate Christmas, but they cant even work Christmas eve so those who do can go home to their families.

oh my...people really need to learn to read. I dont have a problem working any day of the year. what I have a problem with is that stores stay open later at holiday time just to make a few extra bucks and I think its sad. I love working Christmas eve. I just see no reason to keep stores open late. Do people not have families to go home to? seriously...take a chill pill or go answer someone elses questions.

thank you shugg for actually seeing my point. businesses survive every other day of the year without extending their hours. why cant they survive Christmas without having to stay open longer? people are going to come shop there anyways with or without the extended hours. and my husband has even said it costs his store more money to stay open then what they make in profits, but because the mall owner says they have to stay open they do.

Answer 1

First, you have my warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season, even if it does me inconsiderate jerks picking up a loaf of bread when you want to go home.

I find that the extended hours of stores or not closing until a certain time is just one more way that Christmas has become way too comercialized.

I have worked retail and hope never to again (the holidays did suck). You have my sympathy. When I was 16, I worked at Target and we were open until 6. People were in there at 6:30 still shopping. We couldn't kick them out, only urge them slightly over the PA. After experiencing that, I have yet to go out for anything other than an emergency the day before any holiday. And I mean EMERGENCY. Not like, "oh, I forgot cheese or milk"- tough- I should've gone out before that. And holidays- this includes Christmas, New Years, Easter, 4th of July- what have you. I can't deal with crowds- so it's pretty easy for me to leave work a little early, do the shopping and get home before most of the 9-5's have hit the stores.

I am a firm believer that christmas is no longer a holiday about family or the birth of christ (whichever you choose to celebrate for), but about how much money you spend. My nephew has a christmas list three pages long and he's 5. I am so tired of hearing commericals about "last minute deals, one day only" blah blah blah- it's just to get people out to spend more money.

Oh and for those of you saying "don't work in retail": try working at a store the day after thanksgiving or christmas. No one likes retail on those days. They are hell! Sure, let's have nobody work in retail and then you won't be able to buy that fancy little gadget you should've bought a MONTH ago instead of the day before christmas! Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Retail work can be great for people like her! She's married and in school- she's doing that job to get by until she finishes school and can do what she wants to do for work. Have a heart!

Answer 2

I find myself staying out of malls during the holiday season. It is really not a happy place for someone like lets say, thats divorced and don't have family on Christmas Day. It is very depressing & I can see why statistics show that there is a higher percent of Suicides committed during the Christmas Season.

But on a lighter note, those that do have to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we really appreciate you giving of your time & your family time. I for one will not be shopping anywhere on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. My boyfriend has to work Christmas Day for 6 hours. I think I'll stay home and celebrate the birth of Jesus on my own.

Thanks again & Merry Christmas!

Answer 3

It is what people have made it. . .It can be changed, but who will try to change it. True, Christmas is supposed to be for being with the family and stress-free, but it has been commercialized to a point where everyone HAS to get each other gifts or send out cards or make a huge dinner to show off. But, each person is different in their own ways. Many don't celebrate it by religion, many just do the "presents" part of it, and others go the full 9 yards and go all out with decorations, stockings, gifts, cards, meals, etc. But people generally just do it out of love for each other and spend Christmas Day with their families when all stores are closed and there is a day off of the normal hustle-bustle of life. Like I said earlier, it is what we have made it, but people wouldn't have made it this way if they are unhappy doing it.

Answer 4

I completely agree. Let me guess, your boss isn't even working when you are are they? All I can say is that it is sick that someone would make people work on Christmas Eve. Plus, all the Holiday music they play starting in October! I'm so sorry you have to go through with that. That's not the Christmas spirit. Honey, stop working for a Scrooge and get a new job.

Merry Christmas!

Answer 5

Wow, I can't believe how heartless people are! For you that say you work and you'll be the one shopping late on Xmas eve, well I work late too. But you know what? I have other days that I can go to the grocery store!! Why do you have to go on Xmas eve? an't you go the day before? Can't you go on your lunch hour? Hell! Xmas is on a Monday this year, you can't go on Sunday?

Have a little sympathy people. Yes, she could look for another job, but why should she? There is no reason a grocery store or any other store needs to be open on Xmas eve. The only reason they are at all is to cater to people that are finally picking up their wife's gift at the last minute or they just have to have that gallon of egg nog and dammit that grocery store better be open and who cares about those medium wage workers anyway? It's that kind of attitude that makes this time of year suck. There's no Xmas spirit. Xmas spirit is anger. I see more pissed off people this time of year than any other and it's because of all this rushing around, crowds in store, and you being forced to buy crap when you don't want to.

And for the record, no, I don't work at a grocery store or a retail store. I'm a middle class white collar worker. I just have decency and understanding and I can empathize with other people. I think if more people could put themselves in other's shoes this world would be a lot better place.

Answer 6

I FEEL YOU!!!
My gf does the same kind of work and is under the same restrictions. It's a strain on the relationship and the holiday, because it's a very family-oriented holiday.
It's ridiculous, I agree. I hate the commercialization of Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I like buying gifts for those I care for, but when it comes to worrying about money due to the holiday or worrying about actually spending time with someone due to the holiday directly, it has become way too much.

Answer 7

Have you really looked at the history of Christmas? It's always been commercial. As early as the 20s, Americans been complaining that Christmas is too comercial, but it always was and will be forever. Contrary to what you may believe, Christmas as a holiday has very little to do with Jesus. Most traditions are Roman Pagan. True story, read books, knowledge is power for you!

Answer 8

If it was your business and you were the boss I think it might be a different story. The owner of the so called "commercialized business" you work for is making a living just like you when you are working. Are you saying that his business and money that he brings in is disgusting??? Because honey, that is what is being deposited in your bank account each week. In a competitive market where there is so many new businesses and competition these days, that is where you get the over-the-top marketing and commercialization because everyone wants the dollar that you are going to spend. So I don't think it's so much commercializing Christmas as aggresive competition for the over saturated business district and everyone wanting that dollar. So be DAMN proud that they are coming to your store to spend because that is whats putting money into your pocket!

Answer 9

I understand and sympathize. I used to work in retail and full well remember the agony of dealing with rude, obnoxious, over-indulgent customers coming in at the last minute. I also remember that at the time I couldn't switch jobs or get a new job so all advice for me to do so was unsympathetic and insensitive to my particular situation and circumstances.

I am sorry that you are stuck in all of this commercial excess and heightened emotion that characterize the modern holiday. All I can say is maintain your hope that it will get better and it's only for one short time period out of the year. Stay safe and sane!
Peace,
Jenn

Answer 10

Yes, I agree with you. The stores make the biggest percentage of their money during the Christmas season. I guess everyone does what they have to do.