People of Walmart

[Kappamd]

This thread should be interesting.......

[DrPhil]

I don't shop at Walmart because of their labor practices.

I like Target. But I prefer to shop where I can't get groceries, clothes, and video games in the same building.

My friends are organization and labor researchers. When we have baby showers and other events, they will shoot you if you show up with a Walmart gift card or a gift that they know comes from Walmart. Either Target or someplace else.

[jojapeach]

We definitely heard the story here in Atlanta, but I was wondering how the man had a mugshot without one single scratch or bruise. Thanks for posting with that last sentence. Now it all makes sense - except the AJC later publishing an article where his neighbors kinda called him a harmless loner - who slaps 2 year olds.

And go Target! Great shopping experience and decent labor practices.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by jojapeach

We definitely heard the story here in Atlanta, but I was wondering how the man had a mugshot without one single scratch or bruise. Thanks for posting with that last sentence. Now it all makes sense - except the AJC later publishing an article where his neighbors kinda called him a harmless loner - who slaps 2 year olds.

And go Target! Great shopping experience and decent labor practices.

I saw it and heard about it too. I REALLY want to know what that guy's deal is. Who thinks they can go around slapping other people's kids? I was trying to figure out if he was actually mentally ill or just a huge attention sponge who wanted to end up on the news.

I will say that I'm constantly amazed at how little attention my generation seems to give to making sure their kids act right in public, but I don't go to Walmart for the awesomely relaxing atmosphere anyway. AND I'd never dream of slapping someone else's kid. Just craziness.

And I'll say it: I don't think Walmart is obligated to have great labor policies. I think a lot of people hate them simply because they've been really effective at keeping unions out. I don't think every shop needs to be a union shop. Sure, there are areas and accusations that they could clearly do better, but they also employ a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't have jobs at all.

I think it's fun to be smug and hate Walmart, but I think a lot of people just kind of jumped on the bandwagon and don't really give the labor practices of most business and industries any thought at all. (I don't mean the people in this thread or their well-informed colleagues obviously.) These other folks cruise though life believe that they are doing something meaningful avoiding Walmart in favor of Target while they continuing to frequent restaurants, nail salons, landscaping companies with illegal employees not even making minimum wage AND/OR pay zero attention to the labor conditions of the people making the products they buy.

I'm not saying that it's wrong to simply decide that it's better to spend money at people's employers rather than not spending money; I'm just saying that singling out one business for all your righteous indignation while blissfully ignoring others might not be quite as cool as you think.

[SWTXBelle]

I know that I am not able to make what I would consider socially responsible choices in my purchasing choices 100% of the time. However, that does not give me a pass not to consider the impact my spending might have. I hate Wal-Mart - I avoid them whenever I can, but sometimes I do have to shop there. I do also check the tags of my clothing, ask where the shrimp I might order comes from, and support small local businesses as much as possible. You do what you can.

And I think the www.peopleofwalmart.com site is hilarious. I don't see it as a "class" thing - I also enjoy www.gofugyourself.com, which you can see as a higher socioeconomic class "peopleofwalmart.com", if you will. Bad fashion choices know no boundaries.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I know that I am not able to make what I would consider socially responsible choices in my purchasing choices 100% of the time. However, that does not give me a pass not to consider the impact my spending might have. I hate Wal-Mart - I avoid them whenever I can, but sometimes I do have to shop there. I do also check the tags of my clothing, ask where the shrimp I might order comes from, and support small local businesses as much as possible. You do what you can.

And I think the www.peopleofwalmart.com site is hilarious. I don't see it as a "class" thing - I also enjoy www.gofugyourself.com, which you can see as a higher socioeconomic class "peopleofwalmart.com", if you will. Bad fashion choices know no boundaries.

I prefer to socially mock up the ladder, or at least those who seem to see themselves as up the ladder. Stuffwhitepeoplelike is my number one.

I don't want any pity creeping into my smug judgments.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

(I don't mean the people in this thread or their well-informed colleagues obviously.)

Obviously.

My friends/colleagues and I are all well-informed and I, in particular, try to uphold certain standards for the places where I choose to spend my money. "Superstores" that have been worshipped for all the services they provide and money they make definitely have an obligation to not lose sight of the law and "humanity" for the pursuit of capitalism and profit. The same goes for any company that has been investigated for unfair treatment of employees, violation of child labor laws, and employing illegal/undocumented immigrants.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Obviously.

My friends/colleagues and I are all well-informed and I, in particular, try to uphold certain standards for the places where I choose to spend my money. "Superstores" that have been worshipped for all the services they provide and money they make definitely have an obligation to not lose sight of the law and "humanity" for the pursuit of capitalism and profit. The same goes for any company that has been investigated for unfair treatment of employees, violation of child labor laws, and employing illegal/undocumented immigrants.

Your standards are great for you, obviously. I try not to start my personal boycotts at the mere investigatory level. Unless I feel like I know what's really happened because of what I've seen, I like a higher standard of proof. And even then, I'm kind of casual about what matters in the moment when I shop.

I have a relative who works at Walmart. (I don't mean corporate exec; I mean regular ol' store employee.) He likes his job; it's presented him with opportunities that weren't easily available in the community where he lives. My feelings are mixed about the corporation.

I think hypocrisy drives everyone nuts, and Walmart is one of those areas where some people take a proud stand that they don't really live out in any other areas. Certainly, not all Walmart haters fall in that category.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I try not to start my personal boycotts at the mere investigatory level.

Neither do I. It took me 10 years to "stop" shopping at Walmart.

I go in there on the rare occasion that a family member wants to and I don't breakout into hives if I have to spend money there. It simply isn't a place that I like to shop and will choose to shop if I have a choice.

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Unless I feel like I know what's really happened because of what I've seen, I like a higher standard of proof.

What we see personally is rarely the end-all and be-all. There is too much going on in our social world to always discount more general accounts simply because you haven't personally seen it.

On that note, I don't blast others for shopping at Walmart. Whatever is convenient and cost efficient for them. I was just responding in light of KSig's question to cheerfulgreek.

[agzg]

I prefer to leave my intarweb mocking to animals and inanimate objects, I like lolcats and I read cakewrecks.

I have no interest in mocking other people online because they're unfortunate, especially since I know not all those that shop at walmart are afflicted with the same poor fashion decisions. I try really hard not to do it. I've been known to raise my eyebrow at strange fashion choices, but to take pictures and post them online just seems kinda cruel - especially considering that I've made my fair share of fashion faux pas.

I will, however, completely bash trends. WTF? Why are people wearing leggings?!

I should add that Live-in likes the site, though. To each his own, I guess. He knows I don't like it.

[SWTXBelle]

In the English 1301 class I taught this summer the students did a chapter on globalization and fair trade - the text had many interesting articles for both sides of the Wal-mart/big box issue, which made for some interesting discussions.
One of the points I made as they were honing their analytical skills is that most issues are not black and white - shades of grey are always there.
So I don't shop at Wal-mart most of the time - but if I need to, I don't beat myself up about it.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

One of the points I made as they were honing their analytical skills is that most issues are not black and white - shades of grey are always there.
So I don't shop at Wal-mart most of the time - but if I need to, I don't beat myself up about it.

Thus is our complex social world.

[SWTXBelle]

I shared with the class my personal struggle with shrimp - a food I love. I grew up spending summers on the Texas Gulf Coast - if we wanted shrimp, we waited down at the dock in Kemah and bought it. So for years I happily ordered shrimp, simply assuming it was caught from the Gulf.

"WHEN ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.", to quote Pope. Once I knew about the horrors of shrimp farming, and what it did to the workers and the land I just couldn't. Add in the impact of Katrina and Ike to the Gulf Coast economy, and the personal connection I feel to the area and the industry, and I am now this really annoying customer who asks where the shrimp come from, and if they aren't net caught from the Gulf, I pass. I realize that my little actions don't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but if I did try to eat farmed shrimp knowing what I now know it would be sawdust in my mouth.

I do realize how easy it would be to lie to me - one indicator is the price. If the shrimp is too cheap, it's probably farmed. And I would never criticize a friend who ordered the shrimp - although I have had friends ask why I asked the waiter where the shrimp orginated, and I'll tell them then, but I don't want to become that friend who regards a meal as an opportunity to police my friend's ethical and culinary choices.

- - - what is this thread about, again?

eta - and now I'm hungry.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I realize that my little actions don't mean much in the grand scheme of things.....

I disagree.

We are pieces to a puzzle and inch by inch it's a cinch.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

- - - what is this thread about, again?

People with funny underwear, I guess.

[oncegreek]

To any and all people who laud the labor practices of Target.....have any of you actually worked for Target? One of my first jobs out of college was at Target, as an " area manager," which translated into being a salaried slave. We would routinely work overnight before the corporate bigshots came to visit, change our clothes, and work through the following day. Also, whenever the store needed to be changed around, area managers were forced to work overnight to complete the changes. Not ONE DIME of overtime was ever paid! Oh, and hourly employees were locked in at closing time, and no one was allowed to leave until the store was clean. Now, this was years and years ago. I know that Target was included in a class action lawsuit regarding mistreatment of salaried employees a few years ago, and the position of area manager was eliminated. I worked there for two years- that was enough! In general, working conditions in retail are not that great. Walmart does not do anything that other retailers do not do.