Have you ever TRULY been to Wal-Mart? or really, it doesn't have to be Wal-Mart, it can be any store. Any store. Any store that is large enough to have a cross section of a population.
You do have an intention of buying something, but take a minute next time. Walk WITHOUT intention.
I've done this a couple of times at a couple of different stores in my life. But, it's almost become a every other a week habit at our Wal-Mart here in Kona since December.
The backstory:
- I HATE Wal-Mart in general (they are usually dirty). I don't like their business practices.
- I do not like our Wal-Mart as it has a HORRIBLE parking lot. It's difficult to get in. It's crowded up front. I will go to other places of businesses based on the sole reason of their parking lot. Therefore, when I do have to go here, I park as far as I can and just walk to the door.
- I have therefore avoided this particular location for YEARS, but do occasionally (maybe a once in a year stop) due to convenience go in there.
We had to go in there this summer. Group of us. Two young boys needed dinosaurs as a reward (short version of a long story). I didn't go in. Major meltdown happened in the store. Resulting in tears. I later proclaimed Uncle Jeff was also very sad because he didn't even get a dinosaur at all, much less a little one.
Fast forward. It's Christmas, I wanted to get Jeff a dinosaur for Christmas as a joke. I go into Wal-mart. WOW! It's a whole different world in our Wal-Mart. I had forgotten!!!
You have your tourist. And your tourist section. You have a McDonalds. You have food. You have fresh fruit. You have medicine. Alcohol. Garden Stuff. Christmas Stuff. Tools. Bikes. Sewing Stuff. Clothes. Toys
Now about the Toy Section: There is a WHOLE aisle dedicated to Barbie and all this pink stuff. So, I'm looking for the dinosaurs. I said to the Wal-Mart guy "Excuse me, where is the Dinosaur Aisle" He looks at me like I have three heads. Another guy standing there (WITH HIS DOG MIND YOU) smiled. And replies, "The dinosaur aisle???" I said, YES, where you get Dinosaurs. LET ME TELL YOU, there was only ONE FOURTH of ONE AISLE with DINOSAURS. I was very disappointed. I did find a little dinosaur to buy.
My boys never really went through the "dinosaur" stage, but really a WHOLE AISLE of PINK stuff????
But now, I've truly become fascinated with our Wal-Mart. I think I spent two hours that day just wondering. I've been back two more times.
The employees are all happy. There is a sweet lady that sits at the door to check your receipt. She tells you to have a "blessed day" or "make sure you get those drinks on some ice soon" She's all smiley.
And the view from the parking lot, is amazing......
