The New Intimacy

Does anyone feel their soul shred a little anytime they go to WalMart during the holiday season?

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Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
Just came back from going to WalMart (the day before Thanksgiving) to see if they carried a specific item that only they carried last year (my mother's Philadelphia Cheesecake Filling Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice). They did not have it. I asked customer service who had to ask four other people - and I was told (verbatim) "If it's not on the shelves now, we're not carrying it."

(But onto to real question of this poll: )

Being an introvert by nature I was totally drained and irritated by the noise and crowds, and by the time I got home (with pre-holiday and going-home traffic starting) I was in a foul mood. I'm still trying to reach equilibrium again, but I really wonder if anyone else leaves that place feeling a weird sort of anger wanting to escape. Any comments on this?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Yes.
- Kira - , eggiweg , Mew , Ryuson , Clandestine , SiNn , Antipova , aliceinthehole , namelesschaos , padmeamidala , OrangeKushBB , aimtoplease , wrmbreze , Cookie Monster Mike , Love Perpetua , Pink Jewel , Kdlips , tlaskowski , Cherrylane , toxie m , Bignuf , wetone123 , Mr. & Mrs. Peg , DeliciousSurprise , Willow Wand , Mike Honcho , P'Gell , Gracie , Breas , darthkitt3n , dv8 , mpfm
32  (67%)
No.
~LaUr3n~ , Cherry21
2  (4%)
Indifferent.
Kindred , GonetoLovehoney , jedent , ms.anon
4  (8%)
Other.
Tori Rebel , gone77 , Kkay , CoffeeCup , BluePixi , TheSlyFox , Rossie , js250 , zeebot
9  (19%)
Does anyone carry the Philly Pumpkin Spice cheesecake filling??
eeep
1  (2%)
Total votes: 48
Poll is closed
11/23/2011
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Contributor: TheCleansing TheCleansing
WalMart is just American dissatisfaction congealed.
11/23/2011
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
I feel my soul shred a little anytime I go to WalMart PERIOD. Holiday or not. I'll stick to the internet and smaller stores!
11/23/2011
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I'm introverted after 5pm (when I get off work). I have no desire to deal with any of the Wal-Mart hassle, which you will undoubtedly get if you have even the simplest of questions. The crowds ANYWHERE as Christmas time nears make me sleepy, not just Wal-Mart.
11/23/2011
Contributor: AndroAngel AndroAngel
Going to Walmart is draining, working there is pure hell. As someone who previously worked at Walmart, I assure you, no matter how frustrating it is for you, it's just as frustrating for the employees, because no one can ever give you a straight answer and the departments never communicate. If you really want an answer on something, demand to talk to the department manager for the department the item you're looking for is in, rather than asking customer service. No one tells them anything, they're just there to do exchanges.
11/23/2011
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
Quote:
Originally posted by AndroAngel
Going to Walmart is draining, working there is pure hell. As someone who previously worked at Walmart, I assure you, no matter how frustrating it is for you, it's just as frustrating for the employees, because no one can ever give you a straight ... more
You have my sympathies, Andro. The poor guy was just about to go emo in a corner because he had no idea what I was asking for (that's how we ended up with asking four other people about it). I made sure to be kind and sweet to him ... having worked retail and food service during the holidays I do understand the stress.

My feeling wasn't due to him or even the wild goose chase, it was just being in the WalMart Atmosphere that does it.
11/23/2011
Contributor: Clandestine Clandestine
I don't like going out in busy public places, period. Strangers are bad. Lots of strangers? Worse.
If I could change careers to hermit I would. Seriously, I'd move to the woods and sell dried herbs and forest goodies on the Internet... With my woodsy wi-fi connection.

...If you'll excuse me, I'll return to under my blanket now.
11/23/2011
Contributor: gone77 gone77
I like Wal-Mart and I usually avoid shopping close to the holidays. It doesn't bother me really now that I'm on anti-anxiety pills. lol The traffic is annoying, but meh, as long as I get home safely, I'm good.
11/23/2011
Contributor: SiNn SiNn
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
Just came back from going to WalMart (the day before Thanksgiving) to see if they carried a specific item that only they carried last year (my mother's Philadelphia Cheesecake Filling Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice). They did not have it. I asked ... more
it isnt just the holiday season for me everytime im in that store my soul dies alil
11/23/2011
Contributor: Kkay Kkay
I'm heavily introverted, but am a bit strange with crowds. It's like people reach a certain saturation to where there's no longer really people, but just a crowd. And I tend to be more okay with that.

But it's easy to hit sensory overload.
11/23/2011
Contributor: T&A1987 T&A1987
depends on the crowd and size of the store. If it's a big, not so crowded store i can wile away hours, looking around, listening to music and looking at stuff. If it's crowded like it was today, not so much.
11/23/2011
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Oh my goodness.

When I was in high school and it was an hour's drive to get to Wal Mart (and kids from high school *still* thought that was an excellent social activity, and would drag me along) I'd get headaches from the crowds.

I don't mind crowds of people in open-air, or at concerts, or restaurants, or sporting events---but somehow shopping places always seem so tense to me. Add to that general fragrance allergies and I avoid most stores like the plague. (Grocery stores are just fine and fun, and hardware stores, and auto parts stores, too. Pretty much, if they don't have ambient fragrances I'm happy.)

But now that they've added those little tvs that talk to you? I want to build a 1.5 ft-ranged EMP and blast every one of those things. I've already searched for power cords. I can't find a kill switch. I'm not a headphones sort of person, so I literally walk around Wal Mart with my fingers shoved in my ears whenever I need something they have that isn't stocked elsewhere in town.
11/23/2011
Contributor: namelesschaos namelesschaos
Going to any major shopping center in this time of mad shopping cause my soul to die a little. I shop from the nice happy computer.
11/23/2011
Contributor: padmeamidala padmeamidala
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
Just came back from going to WalMart (the day before Thanksgiving) to see if they carried a specific item that only they carried last year (my mother's Philadelphia Cheesecake Filling Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice). They did not have it. I asked ... more
I live close to the Wal Mart and don't drive so I'm often stuck doing a lot of my holiday shopping there. I try to go in the early morning when no one is there. A lot less irritating.
11/23/2011
Contributor: CoffeeCup CoffeeCup
I haven't shopped in walmart for years because it made me die inside a little no matter what time of year it was.
11/23/2011
Contributor: OrangeKushBB OrangeKushBB
I completely agree with the above comment. Personally, I'm a Target girl. Wal-Mart is way too crowded and I can never find anything I need.
11/23/2011
Contributor: OrangeKushBB OrangeKushBB
Quote:
Originally posted by CoffeeCup
I haven't shopped in walmart for years because it made me die inside a little no matter what time of year it was.
Well said!!
11/23/2011
Contributor: CS2012 CS2012
I usually just send my husband during the holiday time to Wal-Mart. All though I am usually pissed off any time of the year after I am done shopping at Wal-Mart.
11/23/2011
Contributor: aimtoplease aimtoplease
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
Just came back from going to WalMart (the day before Thanksgiving) to see if they carried a specific item that only they carried last year (my mother's Philadelphia Cheesecake Filling Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice). They did not have it. I asked ... more
Oh yes, even if its not a holiday. I try very hard to stay away from Walmart and can usually get away with only going a couple times a year.
11/23/2011
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
I go to extremes to avoid stores during the holiday season. Hallelujah for online shopping!
11/23/2011
Contributor: Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama Hot 'N Sexy TexasMama
Live a mile from Walmart - went this afternoon and could've shot myself cause I waited till late in the day. During this time of year, I prefer to go about midnight and avoid the crowds (not counting Black Friday).

I like Walmart - I live in a small town and they're the biggest supplier for groceries, etc.

Target - eh. Have visited Target twice - the closest one is 180 miles away. I can do without them - thank you very much. Prices are higher - not as great variety and just sorta makes me go "eh". I don't care for the variety as much for their plus size clothing.
11/23/2011
Contributor: Cookie Monster Mike Cookie Monster Mike
I'm so so with Walmart, i try avoid going there anytime of the year really. But there are some things i find there are much much cheaper than anywhere else where i live. Most of the employees seem actually really nice, still there are some who obviously don't care.

I find it's mostly the customers shopping there that make me dislike the place. Rude, loud, ignorant, disrespectful people mostly. The ones talking on their cell phones blocking multiple entrances to isles. The screaming kids and the parents who won't actually do any parenting. The one lady that always has to be in front of you with the 50 coupons and price matches. The overflowing cart in the 20 items or less lane.

I try to show at target more, while not as much of a selection they do carry things walmart does not. Everytime i go there the atmosphere seems so much different. Almost everyone there is calm, collective, and happy.

But i'm with you, not even a minute after walking into walmart i'm already getting pissed off. After i get home i usually just relax and forget about it. As Walter from the Jeff Dunham show says "Welcome to Walmart, get your sh*t and get out"
11/23/2011
Contributor: BluePixi BluePixi
shopping in general stresses me out, if I need to do any more shopping during the holiday season it will be done online or during off hours when the stores are not as busy.
11/24/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
I generally appreciate the convenience factor of WalMart... but I try to stay out of ALL stores around this time of year. Even just trying to drive to an appointment is a hassle because there is so much traffic. I am a total scrooge and the huge, slow moving crowds do not help. lol
11/24/2011
Contributor: Cherry21 Cherry21
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
Just came back from going to WalMart (the day before Thanksgiving) to see if they carried a specific item that only they carried last year (my mother's Philadelphia Cheesecake Filling Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice). They did not have it. I asked ... more
I love xmas!!
11/24/2011
Contributor: TheSlyFox TheSlyFox
I live three blocks from walmart, Sometimes, when it isn't crowded, I find it fun to widdle away time there, but times during the holiday season I find it highly irritating...Unless it's Black Friday Then I have fun getting good deals and don't care about crowds!
11/24/2011
Contributor: eeep eeep
First, Have you found the pumpkin spice cream cheese anywhere? I've been looking for it too. Fell in love with it after last year's holiday season.
Second, I hate going to walmart. Even worse is working there, which fortunately I was only stuck there for 3 months. It's draining and many people are very rude to you as both a customer and as an employee.
11/24/2011
Contributor: Mr. & Mrs. Peg Mr. & Mrs. Peg
I HATE WAL-MART!!! Mrs. Peg won't go at all. I very rarely go...it's usually got to a middle-of-the-night emergency.
11/24/2011
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
I don't shop at Walmart, all their stores are too far away from where I live.
11/24/2011
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
Quote:
Originally posted by eeep
First, Have you found the pumpkin spice cream cheese anywhere? I've been looking for it too. Fell in love with it after last year's holiday season.
Second, I hate going to walmart. Even worse is working there, which fortunately I was only ... more
No one's carrying it in our area. And for some reason the Kraft-Philadelphia site doesn't have a store locator for us to find which products are stocked where (even Quaker has that!); not even a mention of it anywhere on their site. I'm beginning to suspect that Kraft didn't bother to make it this year ... don't know why, I've found fan-pages dedicated to that stuff when I was looking it up.

Just the way of Murphy's Product Law - if you fall in love with a product, the company will stop manufacturing it almost immediately.
11/24/2011