This just doesn't seem necessary....

[mommaU4]

Yesterday my mom and I were in the Dollar Tree searching for stocking stuffers when we saw a sign that read "Thanksgiving Day OPEN from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m." (pretty sure it was till 3)

My mom said "oh that's too bad" and I have to say I agree with her. I don't understand why more and more stores are staying open on the holidays. I mean really what is so important that you need from the dollar store that they need to be open that day?

I can kinda understand the grocery stores being open from about 9 to noon for those who forget or run out of something they need for cooking. That helps the community and still gives the employees time to be with their families. And of course we all know hospitals and the like need to be open every day. But the dollar store?

And before some one says there are people who like to work the holidays because they have no family and they get overtime pay, that's true, I'm sure there are those few people. But most of the time it's some poor mom or dad who really would just like to be home with their family, that gets stuck working.

I don't know. It just seems completely unnecessary to me. I feel sorry for their employees who will be forced to work when they'd rather be home making and eating turkey with their family.

 

[Christine]

Yeah, I agree that some people probably get shafted and have to work the holiday. The K-Mart in my area has been open on Thanksgiving for the last 10 years. Sometimes it has been a great relief because I've had some really boring Thanksgivings and I was dying to get out of the house.

But, in my area, we have TONS of people living here who, while US citizens, are not originally from here and do not have the same care/need/requirement/attachment to these holidays. When I go into K-Mart or the Dollar Store on these holidays, that's who I see working. For them, it's probably a good way to get some extra hours.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Yeah, I saw that too. That is sad that they have to work on Thanksgiving, but maybe some of them are volunteering to work. I am working at my guest service desk on that day to earn some extra money.

 

[NMAmy]

You know, when I was young and in college, I worked at a convenience store and I worked every Thanksgiving. My large, extended family simply changed what time we had Thanksgiving dinner so I could attend. I got double time and I was pretty tickled to get it since I was dirt broke all the time back then.

I never felt put upon for having to work on holidays. The only one I ever had off was Christmas Day.

It's also one of our family traditions to go to a movie on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day. So, I guess I'm encouraging movie theatres to stay open on the holidays, as well. While it's not something I really NEED to do, it's something we enjoy and I'm glad they're open.

 

[Maleficent13]

Once again, Amy, we are twins separated at birth... I also love to go to movies on Thanksgiving afternoon!!

 

[epcotfan]

Not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving and some people like the holiday pay. I've worked holidays in the past and it never bothered me.

 

[cardaway]

I work in manufacturing, not retail, but I imagine it's the same.

While there may be exceptions, there is always enough people willing to work holidays, especially if there is an increase in pay involved.

And as somebody who has been looking for something to do or eat on Thankgiving or Christmas evening, I think it's great that some places are open.

 

[C.Ann]

I feel more sorry for the folks who don't have family - or anywhere special to spend the the holidays.. A day of shopping - even if only wandering without actually buying anything - may be the only thing that brings a smile to their face..

 

[Miss Jasmine]

When I was a cashier in high school and part of college, we all worked two hour shifts to cover the store. It really wasn't bad.

DH has to work Thanksgiving (and the day after), but I LOVE it because he makes double time and a half. It pays for our Christmas.

 

[ballroombelle]

But, in my area, we have TONS of people living here who, while US citizens, are not originally from here and do not have the same care/need/requirement/attachment to these holidays... For them, it's probably a good way to get some extra hours.

Precisely. And more than likely they can switch off those holidays they do work for other days when they may really need/want the time off. At least, I hope that's the case!

 

[NMAmy]

Once again, Amy, we are twins separated at birth... I also love to go to movies on Thanksgiving afternoon!!

I missed ya, Mini-Me!

 

[pearlieq]

I actually appreciate the stores that are open on Thanksgiving/Christmas. There's only so long I need to sit around the table with my family and then I'm anxious to get back to real life!

We also go to the movies on the holidays and it's one of my favorite things!

 

[oogieboogie]

going to the movies on Thanksgiving and Christmas is tradition! Besides, it gets boring around the house if you don't like watching football!

 

[arminnie]

When I worked for EDS (the company Ross Perot started), we nominally had several holidays, but the employees manual said something like "at the manager's discretion."

I was teaching computer classes - not providing customer support or trying to keep computers up and running. We worked Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, New Year's Day, plus the other holidays like Memorial Day. We got Christmas Day off.

These were all just normal work days. EDS was the STRANGEST company that I ever worked.

 

[mommaU4]

I actually appreciate the stores that are open on Thanksgiving/Christmas. There's only so long I need to sit around the table with my family and then I'm anxious to get back to real life!

I can understand that, but personally I would feel bad if I found out that my need to escape my family was preventing someone else from being with their's. That's all I'm saying.



My DH works this Thanksgiving (at a hospital)and he was originally scheduled to be off. He volunteered to work from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. cause we need the money. We'll just have dinner when he gets home.
So as I said, I understand those who volunteer. I just feel sorry for those who want to be home and can't because their store has decided to stay open. I like to shop and go to the movies as much as the next guy, but I could do without it for one day if I had to.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

When I worked for EDS (the company Ross Perot started), we nominally had several holidays, but the employees manual said something like "at the manager's discretion."

I was teaching computer classes - not providing customer support or trying to keep computers up and running. We worked Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, New Year's Day, plus the other holidays like Memorial Day. We got Christmas Day off.

These were all just normal work days. EDS was the STRANGEST company that I ever worked.

Somehow, this doesn't surprise me.

 

[Stitchfans]

Many many years ago I worked at a nursing home and had to work Thanksgiving. Talk about a depressing holiday. As hard as I tried to cheer up the residents I couldn't do it. I had also worked Christmas Eve. I didn't work Christmas, I bet that day was worst than Thanksgiving.

 

[ChristmasElf]

It was either TIME or Newsweek that did a report on when Kmart started staying open on Thanksgiving, their sales were actually much higher than expected so that Kmart would continue to stay open on Thanksgiving.
I guess people throw the turkey in the oven and while waiting, go look around for some deals.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

K-Mart actually has special sales on Thanksgiving, I guess to stimulate traffic. Frankly, they could have Mel Gibson dance naked, it wouldn't make me want to shop there, but I found this out by accident when my MIL needed some ingredient and I was on a mission. The regular grocery was closed.

Having the Dollar Store open seems a bit weird, but I'm sure they made the decision for business reasons. If it didn't pay off for the company, they wouldn't do it (or do it again). And actually, I'll be at MIL's with 3 kids--the idea of sneaking out to go somewhere (anywhere!) is pretty appealing...

 

[florida-again]

In the UK we have 'boxing day' the day after xmas. So when I was about 16 and my parents were first divorced my sisters and I would spend xmas with my mum and boxing day with my dad. Both would be equally big family events.

One year the department store I worked in was going to open boxing day and I was told I would have to work because my family are Jewish so I shouldn't get the day off.

This is kind of controversial As Boxing Day is a national holiday and not a religious one. But I was too young to argue....