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A Happy Little Story From Walmart
Topic Started: Jun 14 2017, 10:07 AM (216 Views)
Catseye3
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Fulla-Carp
I've always had a fondness for my Walmart ladies. They call you 'hon' in that melty southern Earth Mother way and seem very invested in helping you to their best ability and sending you on your way happy. And many of them, especially the deli ladies, seem tired all the time; worn. One time I asked one of them about their break schedule, and she said they get a lunch break (she told me how long but I don't remember) and a 15" break in the morning and another in the afternoon. The rest of the time these women are on their feet constantly.

Hot here. Today, going through the checkout line, I asked the clerk to please double-bag the ice cream. She says, long way to travel? I say, yes. She bends down and fishes around and brings out some brown paper bags and explains that they keep the cold in better than the plastic ones. So she packs the ice cream in the brown paper bags and then double-bags those in the plastic! Knotted!

It was such a sweet thing to do and showed such first-rate competence -- from a young woman who probably gets minimum wage -- that I nearly teared up.

Just like I'm nearly doing now, telling you about it.

:heart: to all my Walmart ladies.

<Sniff>



Chocolate doesn't ask silly questions. Chocolate understands.
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brenda
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..............
:clap: Yes, that would definitely impress me, too. You have good reason to return to a store that understands caring about getting the ice cream home in good shape, thus making you happy. Maybe not all the Walmart stores are so careful. I bet that's a very popular store, one that could serve as a training ground for others.
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Sam would be happy.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
That used to be the norm. Still is in some places.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Horace
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HOLY CARP!!!
brenda
Jun 14 2017, 10:29 AM
:clap: Yes, that would definitely impress me, too. You have good reason to return to a store that understands caring about getting the ice cream home in good shape, thus making you happy. Maybe not all the Walmart stores are so careful. I bet that's a very popular store, one that could serve as a training ground for others.
I think this was much more about the individual in question than any corporate training she received.
As a good person, I implore you to do as I, a good person, do. Be good. Do NOT be bad. If you see bad, end bad. End it in yourself, and end it in others. By any means necessary, the good must conquer the bad. Good people know this. Do you know this? Are you good?
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
In any event it is always welcome to see real grace and warmth in our lives.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Catseye3
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Fulla-Carp
Mikhailoh
Jun 15 2017, 01:45 AM
In any event it is always welcome to see real grace and warmth in our lives.
Yes. Exactly.
Chocolate doesn't ask silly questions. Chocolate understands.
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Horace
Jun 14 2017, 10:28 PM
brenda
Jun 14 2017, 10:29 AM
:clap: Yes, that would definitely impress me, too. You have good reason to return to a store that understands caring about getting the ice cream home in good shape, thus making you happy. Maybe not all the Walmart stores are so careful. I bet that's a very popular store, one that could serve as a training ground for others.
I think this was much more about the individual in question than any corporate training she received.
Used to not be that way when the old man was alive. I heartily recommend Sam Walton's autobiography.

He learned the retail trade while working for Jack Penney. He took that knowledge of customer service and combined it with elements of the five & dime stores, to create the original Walmart niche. Walton knew his original market and he knew what he expected out of his workers. While not highly paid, his workers were called associates and taught from day one that the success of the company (and their ability to make more money) was tied to customer service.

Nobody in rank and file gets rich working for Wally world, but I know several guys with high school educations that have been with them for years and make more than school teachers... That's not a bad living, considering the skill set.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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kluurs
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Fulla-Carp
A few years back, I wanted some nice paper napkins for a casual dinner. Walmart was on my way home so I stopped in and picked up a small pack of their version of elegant napkins. The cashier stopped me and asked, "are you sure that's what your wife wants you to bring home?" She was thinking the "Mrs" (which there wasn't at the time) would be very angry with me - and was trying to protect me from my (male) foolishness. I thought it very thoughtful and more the kind of thing that happens in rural areas, rather than where i live. It left a good impression on me that they hired good people.
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ilm
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Middle Aged Carp
Catseye3 and Kluurs, Wonderful stories!
I'm frequent Walmart shopper. My two stores for groceries are Walmart and Whole Foods.
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brenda
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..............
Horace
Jun 14 2017, 10:28 PM
brenda
Jun 14 2017, 10:29 AM
:clap: Yes, that would definitely impress me, too. You have good reason to return to a store that understands caring about getting the ice cream home in good shape, thus making you happy. Maybe not all the Walmart stores are so careful. I bet that's a very popular store, one that could serve as a training ground for others.
I think this was much more about the individual in question than any corporate training she received.
Agreed. That's why I think she could serve as a training example, so more could emulate her. Imagine if her attitude and example became the expected standard for service.
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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Big John
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Senior Carp
I get most fresh produce and some fresh meat at Walmart, not because the selection is great, but because the turnover is so quick. At regular supermarkets with much higher prices, meat especially is usually nearer its expiration date.

Quote:
 
and a 15" break in the morning and another in the afternoon. The rest of the time these women are on their feet constantly.


I don't get how this is relevant. It sounds kind of adult to me to describe what these ladies do on breaks.





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Klaus
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HOLY CARP!!!
I don't quite "get" Walmart.

Most of the time when I hear about Walmart it is in the vein of "people of Walmart". My takeaway from its public image is that Walmart is a store for cheap crap mostly visited by "white trash" and the like.

I've been to a few Walmart stores in the US, but during those visits my impression was that Walmart is quite OK. Nice selection, a lot of fresh stuff. The people who went there were mostly just normal people.
Trifonov Fleisher Klaus Sokolov Zimmerman
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Klaus
Jun 15 2017, 12:37 PM
I don't quite "get" Walmart.

Most of the time when I hear about Walmart it is in the vein of "people of Walmart". My takeaway from its public image is that Walmart is a store for cheap crap mostly visited by "white trash" and the like.

I've been to a few Walmart stores in the US, but during those visits my impression was that Walmart is quite OK. Nice selection, a lot of fresh stuff. The people who went there were mostly just normal people.
All walks of life, my friend...
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Catseye3
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Fulla-Carp
Klaus
Jun 15 2017, 12:37 PM
I don't quite "get" Walmart.

Most of the time when I hear about Walmart it is in the vein of "people of Walmart". My takeaway from its public image is that Walmart is a store for cheap crap mostly visited by "white trash" and the like.

I've been to a few Walmart stores in the US, but during those visits my impression was that Walmart is quite OK. Nice selection, a lot of fresh stuff. The people who went there were mostly just normal people.
That's about it. There's an urban myth that persists. There was a time when Walmart did feature cheap crap, but that has changed a lot. You can find many respectable brands of goods there.

Chocolate doesn't ask silly questions. Chocolate understands.
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George K
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Finally
I think a lot of the criticism of Walmart is based on the way they alleged pay their employees less than a living wage, with no room for advancement and so-so benefits.
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"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

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- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
George K
Jun 15 2017, 12:48 PM
I think a lot of the criticism of Walmart is based on the way they alleged pay their employees less than a living wage, with no room for advancement and so-so benefits.
They don't pay well, if you have no skills. Between graduating from college and starting teaching in the fall, my daughter worked for Wallyworld as a cake decorator. Nothing elaborate, just simple stuff. $13.50/hour. Since she was under 32 hours per week, no full time benefits, but she did have access to a very simple health plan that covered doctor's visits and cheaper prescription drugs, which cost $30/month. She was also eligible to buy Wallyworld stock at a discount.

You go to work part-time, parlay that into full time, then try to get into management.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
You have a path if you want it. But so many today don't want to build a life and career. They want it handed to them.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Big John
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Senior Carp
I live in Indiana, which is not known for high wages. WalMart has become quite competitive of late and is now considered a "good" place to work. With the ACA, even employees who don't qualify for the company health plan can get Obamacare at a reasonable price. Generally, they treat their employees better than a few years ago I hear. A pharmacist friend plans to stay there till retirement -- and their truckers are teamster -- but they outsource as much as they can to non-union carriers.





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