Thanksgiving – the New Black Friday, Even in Billings

Talking about how over commercialized the holidays are is old hat, so I won't waste a lot of time doing it. The simple truth is that as long as people are willing to "bust doors" for sale prices, retailers will be more than happy to accommodate.

A few years ago, on Thanksgiving day, I was asked if I could run to the grocery store to get some item essential to Thanksgiving dinner. If I remember correctly, it was the fried onion strips that go on top of the green bean casserole, the absence of which would no doubt ruin the holiday. I said, "It's Thanksgiving, they're not going to be open." To avoid additional holiday stress I added, "But I'll go check."

Sure enough, the store was open, but virtually empty. As I went to check out, I told the woman at the register that I felt bad that she was at work and that I was supporting that fact. She told me not to worry about it. She had volunteered to be scheduled for Thanksgiving and was earning a considerably higher wage for doing so.

Today I just read a list of items that Best Buy will be discounting for Thanksgiving day. I didn't confirm with our local Best Buy, because I don't intend to be there, but according to the national website, they'll be opening at 5 p.m with many "door buster" specials.

This might be one of those cases where I'm being old-fashioned. Perhaps, like the woman at the grocery store, these employees volunteered to be there. Perhaps they are making time and a half or better. I'm not sure, but it doesn't seem right to me. If I go anywhere near Best Buy or any other retail outlet on Thanksgiving day, it will simply be to gawk at the line of people outside.