It is 4am on the morning after Thanksgiving. The pound of turkey you devoured is still wiring you down and making you sleepy, but that is not the case for everyone else. The sun has not yet peaked from the horizon, and there are lines of people waiting outside the hottest retail stores. Black Friday ads and commercials have been circulating the air and media for weeks now, there is no dodging them. Those same customers that have been sitting in the cold for hours, are the same people who were naive on doing more research to find the truth- the deals they are racing to get, were also discounted to be that same price previously. Rather than finding out for themselves, they followed everyone else’s footsteps to the biggest trend, which most likely covered up them finding out the truth. Since they decided to follow others’ footsteps instead of their own, they had to pay more by waiting in the freezing cold. So in reality, they lost more than they gained.

When you are driving past these crowded stores, you assume that they are each there for a reason, and that reason is a good one. But, truly, it is only the look of the crowd that is luring you and others in. The half-an-hour check out lines may look like what they are waiting for is worth it, but they are just following along on the trend of shopping like everyone else. Just because an amusing object was in someone’ s hand, it does not mean that it is worth it. Remember to stay in your own lane and purchase things that are valuable to you, and important. Not what is important and valuable to others. We have to make sure to not be so quick to decision make, because it may not always lead up to expectations. You are in control of yourself, remind yourself that everyone’s interests are not each other’s. 

DIFFERING ASPECTS OF SHOPPING

That includes one group of people, but what about those who do not participate in Black Friday shopping? Each individual has different points of views for different situations, and it is important to be aware of the different opinions, because you could potentially learn something regarding the people that surround you.

There is another day for discounted holiday shopping, which takes place on the first Monday after Thanksgiving, called Cyber Monday. This day was made when retailers noticed that customers were continuing to make purchases online after Black Friday had already passed. This day is dedicated to the online shoppers. Statistics show, “Not liking crowds (52%) is the biggest reason people will not shop on Black Friday” (Rodgers) 

This evidence gives us an idea on one of the many reasons why a handful of people prefer shopping online, rather than in person. Stress, fear, boredom, and more could hold a person back easily. Since Black Friday is a global event, crowds are intended, which could increase these feelings for a person, preventing them from attending. Cyber Monday creates an opportunity for those who want to be a part of the affair, but may have certain things that will avert them from attending. 

BEHAVIORS OCCURRING AND WHY

Then, there are the people who just don’t belong at public and populated events. For years, some individuals have been taking Black Friday Shopping too seriously- so seriously to the point that there was actually a website made to track the injuries, as well as death, that occurred over the course of an annual shopping event. Physical battles will break out in the purpose of one person receiving something mildly worth fighting over- like a non-stick frying pan. This is just for instance. But for example, “Just recently, when the premium French kitchenware brand Le Creuset held a flash sale in the English town of Andover, police were called to manage the crowds. People had travelled from miles away and waited for hours to get their hands on some discounted swanky pots and pans.” (Jansson-Boyd)

This text is extremely significant, because it shows how far people will go for something so little, when it only benefits themselves! A simple event can lead to the most bizarre outcomes, all because of the response of the adrenaline and dopamine that individuals are experiencing. 

Speaking on behaviors, why not discuss the perspective of Black Friday Shopping and how a singular negative experience can spread into a hundred. Psychologists believe there are two different kinds of shoppers, according to The Conversation U.S, “ Psychology researchers divide the world into two groups: those who tend to focus more on achieving tasks versus those who focus more on making connections with others. This idea is encapsulated in what’s known as goal theory.” (Breazeale)

Given these two groups, it can easily be pieced together on which group tends to become more agitated with others presence, (achieving tasks), and the other group is more delighted with the sight of others, (social). As we all know, a gigantic crowd with a blend of these two groups would not end with a happy smile. However, this is important information to know, so that we can be able to gather together without having problems. 

PSYCHOLOGICAL SENTIMENTS WHILE SHOPPING

Everyone has had at least one shopping experience involving an item they wanted, shown as “low stock”, so they toss it in their cart immediately. The heart-dropping feeling we come across when we see this sign is due to a psychological response rooted in loss aversion, which allows your brain to believe that losing an opportunity is more excruciating than gaining one. This feeling may also be revealed when corporations set up signs involving limited time deals on items. A sense of urgency is generated, wanting you to race for the item so you can be the one to purchase it, rather than others. An article speaking on our thoughts and shopping, “Why Our Brains Love a Bargain,” gives more output, “This brings even higher levels of adrenaline arousal which makes people feel giddy with excitement at the prospect of landing a bargain, and is one of the reasons we see sales pegged to a particular day or week or month.” (Jansson-Boyd)

This quote is significant because it reveals the reason as to why we react the way we do when we see a deal. The manipulation tactic allows the customers to believe that the product needs to be purchased sooner since it was set at a lower price for a temporary amount of time. The rush customers feel from this experience makes them react by continuing to fall into the deals, purchasing more things. 

Although Black Friday Shopping sets a great feeling for the holiday season, distinct shoppers experience separate passions and reactions during this day. It is important to keep this in mind during holiday shopping, when stores are most crowded, so we can have peace upon all of us, without having a mood, or someone’s entire day ruined. The holiday season is in favor of gathering everyone together, why scare everyone away during the days that we prepare?