It is amazing to me that Wal-Mart is still a running corporation. It seems as though America has become blind to how terrible it really is. I mean, every time I walk into one of their stores I get haunting memories of the two months I spent as an employee. But before we get to that, and the point of this particular blog, just take a walk with me at how brainwashed we are.
The moment I walk into a Wal-Mart, I want to punch whoever decided how it is set up and "decorated." I know, the way that every Wal-Mart is set up exactly the same is creepily convenient but really, I feel like I have just walked into a big warehouse rather than a store. The lighting is harsh and horrible, they don't even pretend like they want you to be in there longer then you have to be. On top of that, their so called, "low prices," are a joke. See the following for examples:
http://consumerist.com/consumer/readers/walmart-rolls-back-prices-by-13-cents-218404.php
http://consumerist.com/consumer/photos/walmart-rolls-back-prices-negative-sixteen-cents-297000.php
and finally
http://consumerist.com/consumer/walmart/walmart-rolls-back-prices-negative-ten-dollars-and-two-cents-292274.php
Now that we have gotten their "always low prices" out of the way, we can focus more on the "associates" there. I worked there for two months, and during that time, it consumed my soul. I was lucky to get out. I have never once, while working there or shopping there, had a good experience with an "associate." All of them are unhappy, or old, or old and unhappy. The teens that work there really just don't give a shit, never make eye contact, and the only words out of their mouth are, "Debit or Credit?" and "Sign." The older ones are so decrepit that they stand around, and I use the term "stand around" loosely as half of them can't even do that, acting as the "greeter" yet half the time they don't say anything except, "Can I see your receipt?" In all honestly, they are generally more friendly then the young ones. However, I don't think one door greeter I have ever seen there could stop me let alone keep up with me if I were to just walk away from them at a brisk pace. The idea that they are supposed to play "security" is ridiculous. I know that they have real security too, but really why always the old people as door greeters. They also have no right what so ever to see your receipt or your bag if the alarm does go off, as long as you haven't stolen anything, so I just keep walking. What are they gonna do? Arrest me? Hell, next time the alarm goes off and they tell you to stop, go ahead and stop. When they ask to see your bag, ask if you can go through theirs. They sure can't go through mine.
Not only that, Wal-Mart is a virus. The amount of stores that have populated in the last ten years is astounding. If you don't believe me, check it out when you get to the end of this blog. There is a map compiled showing how many of them have been created since it originated. It's nuts really.
http://projects.flowingdata.com/walmart/
