CASHIER RESPONSES:
Q “Why in the world are you just buying candy in this long line?” (Polite and smiling)
A “I just wanted some Tic Tacs.”
Q “Are you serious? This is all you want?” (Polite, but short)
A “Yes please. Are you having a good Black Friday?”
Response: “Um… I guess.”
Q “Um…ok.” (Cashier didn’t make eye contact)
A “Yep”
Q “You do know that those are not on sale?” (Standoffish cashier)
A “Yes, I know. I just want some Tic Tacs.”
RETAIL STORES VISITED:
2007 Best Buy 5am “Door Buster” 100+ people in line at door
2008 Target Early morning. 50+ people in line at door
2009 Best Buy “Door Buster” 50+ people in line at door
2010 Walmart 6am “Door Buster” short line, ticket system for goods
2011 Walmart 8am No line at door. 10+ in each register
2012 Best Buy Early morning. 20+ at registers
2013 Target Early morning. 10+ at registers
2014 Walmart Early morning. 10+ at registers
2015 Best Buy Early morning. 10+ at registers
2016 Michaels Mid afternoon. 10+ at registers
2017 CVS Early morning. 5 people at registers
2018 Dicks Sporting Goods Early morning. 10+ people at registers
2019 JC Penny Early morning. 20+ people at registers
2020 Walgreens Mid day. 3 people in line (Covid Masks)
2021 LOWES Mid day. 10+ people in line (Covid Masks)
In an effort to participate in the event known as Black Friday I venture out each year and choose several retail stores to take part. The goal is not to purchase some extravagant gift or item, but instead to witness and join in with the anxiety of the buying process of this day. The entire phenomenon is fascinating to me in that I don’t feel that need to purchase something at a discount price at the cost of my own well being. Watching on the news for several years as the event developed, I found myself wanting to participate but not for the same reasons so I came up with a plan of attack. On my venture, I only purchase one item: Orange Tic Tacs. It is a trivial item that is insignificant in the scheme of the event, but for me is a comfort candy. I stand in the longest line of the store and only purchase the Tic Tacs. The ensuing conversation with the people around me is the topic of the event. I have been asked many questions about my choice of purchase and I talk to the participating customers about why they are participating in the event themselves. The dialog of this day is the main topic of this performance. I try to document a few images at each site and if someone wants to join in on the photos, they are welcome, but unfortunately…many do not want to be seen. I will catalog some of my thoughts here along with some of the images. Many are kept for my own mental catalog.
