Rudeness At Walmart

[crokett]

I was at at Walmart the other day for 2 items. I'd already been to 2 Lowes - one only had the kitchen flooring, other only had the glue. I wanted to get home and eat dinner and coming through the parking lot I am stuck three cars back in a line waiting for someone to turn into a space. That someone is waiting for the person in the space to finish her hair, or talking on the phone or whatever. There is a guy behind me so I can't back up, plus another person waiting to back out of a space.

I got out of my car, walked up to the lead car and (politely) pointed out the situation and that there was a space 2 cars up for her to pull into. I got sworn at. I walked back to the last car and explained the same thing. The guy laughed and backed up. I went around to the next row and parked. I think I got to the store and the rude woman was still waiting for the space.

[Tom Slick]

That is a pet peeve of mine. If the lot is full I understand waiting long enough for someone to get into their car and pull out and you take their spot, maybe 1 minute. If you have cars piling up behind you, you become a jerk, especially if the lot is not full.

[lcm1947]

So what's new? People don't even think about being polite anymore. It's all about them. Sad, sad state of affairs. I'm almost glad that I won't live long enough to see what this country turns into. I do feel sad for my children and their children however.

[Pappy]

But when you get inside, you get to deal with the fabulously friendly WalMart staff!

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I read an article in Pop Psychology one time that said that folks have an idea of "ownership" on parking spots and the better it is the harder it is to give up. Guess it depends on what type of person you are raised to be. I feel guilty and try to get out of the spot ASAP.

As far as Walmart goes, pretty much everybody and everything about Walmart sucks. I am very proud to not have patronized a Walmart in almost 3 years.

[lrr]

We used to belong to a health club that had way some parking spaces near the entrance, but plenty around on the side. Would people drive around to the side and park? Of course not! You'd think they might be willing to expend a few extra calories outside the building by walking a little further, but no, they sit there waiting for a closeup space.

Absolute insanity!

[Richard in Smithville]

I get really impatiant when I get into a parking lot. So much so that I just take the first spot I find and then listen to my kids whine about parking in the boonies

[Kristofor]

I usually just drive in to a visible pull-through spot (two open end-to-end) before the crowded area, park, and walk. Sometimes people might beat you by 15-20 seconds if they find a spot right by the door, but 2/3 of the time I think I end up getting in quicker, and out quicker too.

[p8ntblr]

Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode. A couple of episodes actually.

[Alex Franke]

We were pulling away from WallMart the other day-- stopped at a light with a toddler and a baby in the car, waiting to turn right, with a HUGE truck to our left blocking any hope of seeing any part of the dozens of cars barreling down the road in front of us at like 50 MPH... And what does the guy behind us do? He honks incessantly, raises his fist, and throws his arms up as if we're the sorriest excuse for competence that he's ever seen!

Finally we get the green arrow, we turn, and he tears on around us shaking his head -- steam practically coming out of his ears -- just to be stopped at the next light with us. I couldn't help but laugh. Poor guy probably had a heart attack down the road.

Anyway, we weren't shopping at WallMart, but I bet he was.

[LinuxRandal]

I park far away. I walk in (get exercise), get my shopping done, and leave. I got to a store one time where my parents were going and was in and out before they parked (circulars).


On another note, fewer door dings!

On the other side, I have seen people sitting in a vehicle, waiting for someone (kid working to get off, spouse, etc) and seen them screw with the circulars.

[Ed62]

Rude people in a parking lot? Sign of the times, I'm afraid.

Ed

[Tom H]

Ain't human behavior wierd sometimes?

Think of the amount of time that would ultimately be saved if people just kept moving to the next open spot. Competitiveness is in us naturally, but we're also supposed to be able to think things through, unlike other animals, aren't we?

I'm done with being philosophical for the day, time to go paint something in the garage.

Tom

[Rand]

I heard about a study where they put cameras in a shopping mall parking lot and video taped people's parking behavior. The analysis showed that on average people took 40 seconds longer to leave their space if someone was waiting for it!