Only at Wal-Mart

In the past two days I've read news articles that just makes me want to roll my eyes. Both concern the ever evolving, but not always loved, superstore... Walmart. Everyday low price store where the part-time workers won't ever be promoted to full-time because the Powers -That-Be don't want to pay the extra money. But that's beside the point.

Article number one (which I can't find the link for) concerns a mother taking her 2 - 3 year old child to Walmart at midnight (or later) because her child couldn't sleep. A little information before I continue. Walmart provides games for the customers to play in the outside lobby. This one particular game is a skill's game where an individual pays a quarter in an attempt to grab a small plush toy from a crane that drops down and picks items up. The area were the toys are located is roomy. If you are able to grab a toy with the crane, the crane opens up to a "box" of some sort where the individual and grab their prize. On with the story...

The article labeled the child as a Houdini. Why? Because the mother turned her head for a couple of seconds and her child climbed his way into the "box" and further into the area where the toys are. (The article had a picture and it's better to understand when you see it.) So here this 2 -3 year old child is playing with plush toys and swinging on this bar which holds the crane. And what does the mother and other customers do...? They laugh and take pictures. Until they realize that hey, there's no key to open this game and get her child out. Um, getting the child out would have been my first thought.

My second thought, and the thought that comes to my head every time I go to a store after midnight and encounter adults with their crying children is, "what the fuck are you doing here? take your child home. can't you hear him/her crying? your child wants to sleep and I want to shop in peace." See the mother from the article took her child to Walmart because he couldn't sleep. My definition, her child was fussy. Then why bring your child to Walmart? Oh, I know why, because you want to irritate us other people. We have to endure you child's cries too. Wow. Have I said thank you for that lately.

Now, I certainly don't blame the children. They cry. It's a part of life. It's gonna happen. But for crying out loud parents, don't bring them around me.

Article number Two. I think I read this article from the BBC news. Stores are now attempting on having Single's Nights. The article specifically talked about Walmart and Home Depot. Even more specifically, I believe the article mentioned a Walmart in Germany. Customers have the option of tying red bows on the front of their shopping cart to let others know they are single and searching. A little red bow is available if you are shy. They even provide Single's "stopping points" within the store were singles can gather and talk. The frozen food aisle was one "stopping point" mentioned. I'm thinking, "um, condoms" Might even want to lower the prices on those.

My friend suggested Home Depot. We've seen the guys at our local Walmart.