Wal-Mart
So tonight we went as a family to Wal-Mart (to return Buster’s new glasses, which is another story altogether) and I’m really glad we went. Why was I so glad?
I was glad because it was a wonderful reminder of why I hate that friggin’ place so much. It sucks, plain and simple. It’s dark, crowded and cramped with people that made me nervous and/or uncomfortable. I’m usually not in much fear of my kids being kidnapped, but tonight I was. The stockpiles of cheap trashy merchandise was overwhelming and made me feel like an active participant in the gluttonous American consumerism that makes me feel so icky. (See WALL-E for more on this).
I got the kids some McDonalds food because they were super crabby, and it was some of the worst customer service I’ve had in recent memory. As if I should be surprised. Meanwhile, Marylynn returned Buster’s glasses and asked for his prescription. She got it, but was totally refused when she asked for the distance in millimeters between his two pupils. Why? No one knows. So we threw the kids in a cart and trudged our way through to the rulers and measured it ourselves. We wandered around a bit in a trance of disgust, shock, self loathing and low, low prices for a moment until we came to our senses and left with an empty cart.
It was a glorious collision of white trash and ghet-to. I wanted to buy a Nascar trucker hat and a fake gold Tweety Bird necklace. I wanted to buy Hanna Montana bath towels and CDs by T-Pain, Larry The Cable Guy. The only difference is, I didn’t. I only wanted to run.
And yet there is a Target right across the street, which is bright, spacious and friendly. Additionally, it’s relatively stylish and it doesn’t make me hate the human race. I’m so glad I shop at Target.
As a business, Wal-Mart is notoriously known for is mistreatment of its employees as well as it’s ruthless destruction of local economies. And as if I needed any more reasons to dislike this establishment, I happened upon a video the other day showing how it’s taking over the country.
So yeah. Not a fan. And apparently, I’m not the only one who feels this way. And if you have a spare 90 minutes, take a look at the documentary Walmart – High Cost of Low Prices.
July 15th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Seriously Walmart has replaced Disney on my list of the great Satans of the 21st century. The list now includes:
1. Microsoft (Bill Gates, CEO of Evil and Anti-Christ)
2. Walmart
3. Nascar
July 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
This is NOT marybarnum, but Dad (she is the only one with an ID and password), but, onto my comment: Now Tyler, tell us how you really feel. You have had a real hate for this company for some time, but you keep returning like a moth to the flame. Do need to like yourself and not do these things to cause undue pain and suffering.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Why are you bashing on my favorite store? I buy all my groceries there too and when I’m older, I want to be one of those greeters that gives out stickers. Messed up Ty!
July 18th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I agree with you Tyler about Wal-Mart but I still enjoy it….it’s such an adventure and when Donnie and I retire……GREETERS….I’m totally with Sarah on this one! I love the round yellow HAPPY face…it just doesn’t get any better!
July 20th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I’m not a fan of Walmart by any means, but it has nothing to do with ‘employee mistreatment’ which I feel is entirely exaggerated (you’re not a mistreated employee just because they don’t want to give you free health benefits) or the so-called documentary you referenced which is a complete farce of false information and inflamatory emotional appeals lacking any substence.
Yeah I don’t like the store cause it sucks to shop there, but don’t say they’re somehow ‘ruining the nation’.
Man Tyler! With this, and the Obama fold out you got on the upper right I’m starting to wonder where you’re brain went!!!
July 21st, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Robby,
I proudly support Barack Obama, but not the democratic party as a whole. I’ve been inspired listening to his speeches, and after listening to the audiobook of “The Audacity of Hope”, I’ve found very little to disagree with. For me, he’s a leader along the same lines as Lincoln, MLK or JFK. His platform is one of unity, not an “Us vs. Them” ideology, which I believe is the one thing our country needs the most now. McCain, the conservative right and the GOP don’t have that power. They’re only preaching to themselves.
And as far as Wal-Mart goes, I feel I’ve spoken my mind on the subject. I haven’t fact-checked that entire documentary, and to be honest, I haven’t watched all of it either, and the parts I have watched are very thought-provoking. The irresponsible consumerist mindset Wal-Mart promotes has really got me down in general.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:51 am
Barack Obama seems like a nice guy and so do his speeches. I’m sure he’s a very nice guy. But I literally want to weep real tears when I read about his policies and his stances on the issues. It may be divisive, but its also real, I’m no McCain fan, and the republican party has definitely let me down, but it doesn’t mean I’m ready to join up with a platform of socialized medicine, increased taxes, and giving more money to more programs that don’t/won’t/and never work just because they ‘sound nice’. It’s not so much unity as its ‘we’ve got you now, so give up already and do it our way’.
All the same, good luck, I hope I’m proved wrong as it seems he’ll probably win this Nov and I’ll have to continue to bite my tongue and walk on eggshells as the CA around me embraces ‘for your own good’ liberal policies.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:06 am
eh, I don’t want to argue it with you though so forget I said anything. Play your PS3 with me!
August 30th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
As a Walmart employee, I have to say that I hate the place. They do not have any regard for their employees. Trust me on that one. I won’t go into the gory details.