Black Friday reveals the worst in British shoppers

Today marks Black Friday, or as some might wryly call it, Bleak Friday, a day when shoppers often display their worst traitsrudeness, impatience, and a sense of entitlement. What was once the chaotic spectacle of January sales at luxury stores, with television cameras capturing customers fighting over tableware or duvets, has now become a familiar scene across the high street.

From declining manners to outright aggression, poor behavior is increasingly visible in everyday shopping. Even the president has commented on casual dressing, criticizing Americans for airport loungewear. Meanwhile, questions arise about modern norms, such as children wearing tracksuits to formal events or shoppers parading in pajamas and slippers.

Adding to the societal concerns, a recent AA survey highlights a troubling rise in littering from vehicles, revealing what some call a "roadside litter epidemic." Alongside this, studies show that swearing has become widespread, with research from the University of Queensland suggesting that Britons are now more foul-mouthed than Australians, and that complaints about television profanity are extremely rare.

Yet the most alarming trend is the treatment of shop workers. According to Retail Trust, nearly half of retail staff experience abuse or aggression each week. One instance at a Boots store encapsulates this decline in civility.

Working Black Friday is incredibly stressful, said a young employee at a large shopping centre. Last year, a discounted laptop sold out immediately. Customers lost their temper when it wasnt available. One man accused me of lying and threw a box of headphones against the wall. I felt unsafe but had to continue working until closing time.

Similar incidents are common. In one case, a man on his phone at the checkout became enraged at a shop assistant for not serving him fast enough, despite only a brief delay. The young employee, barely out of her teens, endured verbal abuse without the ability to respond freely, as doing so might have sparked further chaos in the queue.

Small independent shops are not exempt. One homewares retailer noted a sharp rise in discourteous behavior. The worst part is when customers dont even look up. You try to smile or compliment their purchase, but theyre glued to their phones. After hours of this, you feel invisible, and it really affects your confidence.

As shoppers hit the stores, a reminder: simple gestures such as eye contact, a smile, or acknowledging the humanity of the staff can make a meaningful difference. If enough people lead by example, politeness might just become contagious again.

Author's Commentary: The Decline of Civility in Shopping Culture

Black Friday has evolved from an eagerly anticipated shopping event to a day that increasingly exposes the darker side of consumer culture. What was once a chaotic but spirited tradition now reveals an unsettling trend: the decline in civility, respect, and basic human decency. From impatient shoppers pushing their way through crowded aisles to outright aggression aimed at retail workers, the behavior on display is troubling. It's not just about the frenzy over discounts anymore; it's about how this behavior is becoming normalized.

The surge in rudeness is no longer confined to the high streets of big cities but seems to be creeping into everyday shopping experiences. Workers, particularly those in retail, bear the brunt of this frustration. As highlighted in recent accounts, some retail employees face verbal abuse and even physical intimidation for the most trivial reasons, such as the unavailability of a discounted product. The rise of entitlement is evident, and its effect on those who serve us cannot be underestimated. No longer are retail workers simply "doing their job"—they are becoming the unwitting targets of societal discontent.

Furthermore, these acts of aggression are not isolated incidents. Research points to an alarming increase in public incivility, from littering to verbal outbursts. Yet the underlying cause of this behavior is not so clear. Is it the stress of a fast-paced, consumer-driven society? The constant rush for material gain? Or perhaps, it's the erosion of simple social norms that once promoted politeness and consideration for others? Whatever the reason, it’s clear that a shift in how we approach both shopping and our interactions with service workers is long overdue.

The message is simple: small gestures of kindness—eye contact, a smile, a genuine acknowledgment of another person’s humanity—go a long way. As consumers, we can all do our part to counterbalance the negativity. If enough people prioritize respect and basic decency, it may not only make a difference to retail workers but to the culture at large. It’s time to remember that kindness is always in season, even on the busiest shopping days.

Sources:

• Black Friday brings out the worst in British shoppers