Avoid Black Friday lines shop online on Cyber Monday

By Maria Perry |Staff Writer|

We were once all so thankful for what we had but now we are so greedy for what we don’t have.

I believe Black Friday is far too hectic, shoppers show so much aggression towards others just to get better shopping deals on electronics or toys. But there are sales going on throughout the holiday season, not just on Black Friday.

Cyber Monday is often overlooked, but it can give shoppers just as many deals as Black Friday in a lot less stressful and safer environment because the only thing shoppers have to deal with is their own computer.

When she was asked if she would rather do Cyber Monday or Black Friday, student Brianna Jointer said, “Cyber Monday because I know that I am safe, no one is going to try and cuss me out, no one is going to try to kill me to take what I got, and I can relax after having a nice Thanksgiving dinner.”

Jointer, who has worked and shopped on Black Friday, expressed that customers and fellow shoppers are very disruptive to workers and other shoppers because they don’t work with the system but against the system.

She said that shoppers often don’t understand that when they try to cut in line to get to check out faster, they actually slow down the process because cashiers, like herself, have to tell them to get back in line and wait.

Student Olivia Favela said that she would enjoy Black Friday if it wasn’t for the large amount of people that go.

“It’s supposed to be a happy time of year,” said Favela. “You find yourself surrounded by the most unhappy, tired faces.”

Cyber Monday allows shoppers access to product without putting themselves in the danger caused by other shoppers. The only trouble with Cyber Monday is that because it is on a computer, shoppers have to prepare for Internet problems, computer problems and power outages.

However a computer crashing, although still stressful, is far less stressful than your shopping cart crashing because someone desperately wanted the last iPod Touch.

People may choose to shop on Black Friday rather than on Cyber Monday because many people find the shopping experience enjoyable because they can spend time with family and friends.

When asked about ways in which people can make holiday shopping more fun student Stephanie Martinez said, “Stay calm, polite, and mind your manners. There should be 10 to 15 security guards in and around the store during Black Friday. People can still rob you outside of the store.”

Favela responded to the same question by saying that people should take a friend with them because not only will they have someone to talk to but they will also have someone to assist them if they need help.

Rita Marie, a student at Mount San Antonio College, said that people can also try not get too caught up in the craziness and remember that just because a deal is good, it doesn’t mean we have to be a horrible person over it.

In the end, whether shopping online or in store, we need to remember that the holidays are about bringing everyone together and not pushing others away.