Situation at Walmart -- or Clean-Up in Aisle 3

[hootstwo]

As a highschool teacher, I can tell you cellphones are nearly the bane of my existence... If they're not trying to text one another like crazy, they're trying to cheat by taking pictures and sending it to others, or they're taking pictures of inappropriate things or trying to...

Talk to phys-ed teachers what it's like trying to keep some relative privacy for students in the lockerrooms...

[auld argonian]

Blame it all on the disorganization of their wee teenage brains as the result of all those hormones fighting for position...dinnae fash yersel. Look at it this way: you just had 'em fer a few minutes, their parents are stuck with 'em.

Best

AA

[Tartan Tess]

Yes, thanks AULD ARGONIAN
A true statement and the reason I have never had children of my own.

[Cynthia]

Nighthawk, I totally agree with what you're saying here about decency, but again... people look for any excuse to point and make fun of anyone who is outside of the norm. That includes kilts, unfortunately.

I just don't think the whole cameras constantly taking photos thing that Tartan Tess mentioned has been a big help for that sort of mentality. I've also seen that site a few times (can't stand it), and I've seen people ridiculed for things that really weren't an issue.

[McClef]

Following a complaint received, the post by Nighthawk containing pictures of people in Walmart has been removed to the Holding Cell pending Moderator discussion and voting.

The result of the deliberations regarding the post will be announced in due course.

[Zardoz]

I go into Wal*Mart all the time, generally in more 'traditional' tartan kilts. I've no doubt people have commented about it one way or the other, but I can't say that I have overheard anything negative, it's usually either blank stare or some kind of compliment. But honestly, I have not concerned myself with the opinion of strangers for many years.
Unfortunatly, "some people's kids" are everywhere, not just at Wally World. I've been camera stalked a few times, (that I know of, likely a lot more) and my usual reaction is to drag out my own camera and make them pose with me!

And the People of Wal*Mart site, I think it's a riot! I'm surprized I've never been on it, I'd consider it a kind of weird badge of honour!

[CDNSushi]

And the People of Wal*Mart site, I think it's a riot! I'm surprized I've never been on it, I'd consider it a kind of weird badge of honour!

I think a more relevant question for those who don't see it in the same light, would be whether the People of Walmart site would honour a take-down request from a person (or people) who were shown on the site...

[BobsYourUncle]

www.peopleofwalmart.com could be the reason for the girls wanting to take a picture. It's a really tasteless website where people post pictures of walmart shoppers to make fun of them.

I've never seen that site before. How cruel. Making fun of people for their appearance dehumanizes them. This is the kind of mentality that results in the lack of civility many now decry. This is the mentality that results in abusing people based upon their appearance...I suppose that people who make a sport of ridiculing others who appear different, also feel entitled to ridicule those who ARE different--the disabled, the aged, other races, other sexual orientations...too bad we didn't leave this sort of thing behind when we entered the 21st century. All of the wonderful power of the internet, used to perpetuate the same old mindset. Yikes!

[Orthzar]

I think the dealing with the girls could have gone better, even though I might have done the same thing if I were in your shoes. Th reason I think the situation could have been handled better, is due to the likelihood that the girls and parents now think some guy in a kilt got them kicked out of Walmart; this damages very slightly the kilt movement.

I wonder if one could have spent a few minutes talking to the girls about their silliness. One might ask why the girls are hiding and trying to take pictures of him, being sure to mention that one feels violated. Offering to take a picture standing next to both of them might be appropriate.

Even after writing the last paragraph, it sounds like the parents should have taught there children to be respectful of others, especially those older than them. The phenomenon of humans having little or no respect for other humans is the cause of all forms of violence. The solution, beyond advising their parents, would be to build respect in the minds of the youth; this is how kilts will be accepted as clothing, and as good-looking clothing.

[Nighthawk]

Nighthawk, I totally agree with what you're saying here about decency, but again... people look for any excuse to point and make fun of anyone who is outside of the norm. That includes kilts, unfortunately.

I just don't think the whole cameras constantly taking photos thing that Tartan Tess mentioned has been a big help for that sort of mentality. I've also seen that site a few times (can't stand it), and I've seen people ridiculed for things that really weren't an issue.

No, the camera phone thing has indeed made the problem worse. There have been times when men in kilts have been ridiculed. Problem is, in our modern society, we're not taught to think and to ask questions. I saw a black lady today in what looked to my eyes to be a bathrobe. I asked her what it was and it turned out that it was something her mother brought with her from Africa when they emigrated. I don't know if it's a pride thing or what, but people would rather point and laugh than learn and understand. Or maybe learning just takes too much effort... I don't know... What I DO know is that technology has moved well beyond our ability to sensibly deal with it! Why should we need to pass laws against texting while driving? Isn't it blatantly obvious that taking your eyes off the road at 65 miles an hour is not a good idea? If people could see what I think of as obvious problems- like following people in stores, taking their pictures- then we wouldn't need these kinds of rules and laws! So yes, the easy availability of these things has most certainly made problems worse. I attended a training course for parents with kids in Boy Scouts recently, and one scenario we had to think about was one boy following another into the bathroom with his camera phone out!! Really? That kid didn't know that was some kind of problem? But we wouldn't have had to discuss it if it didn't happen!!

OK... I'm tired- long day. Rant over... until it gets removed.