Why are the Wal-Mart employees wearing latex gloves?
Friday, September 19, 2008 I occasionally shop at Wal-Mart, even though Mother says their prices are low only because they pay so poorly, and we shouldn't give them our business. A few homophobic friends have banned Wal-Mart because they say the company extends benefits to same-sex partners. I don't know if either of these facts are true. I don't believe people should be under-payed. I do believe same-sex partners should have all the benefits that are extended to me and my opposite sex partner. Regardless, I was at Wal-Mart today. Here's my story.
Disclaimer
I shouldn't feel the need to explain why I was at Wal-Mart, but the one near our home is pretty bad. It's not that old, but it looks old, and it's dirty. Filthy. I'm a borderline germaphobe so I feel like I've faced a demon today. I limit my visits to the Wal-Mart because it's usually crowded with stressed-out mothers, pushing carts with a minimum of four children, one being a crying infant, and at least one with obvious evidence of an active sickness or contagious disease. Just being descriptive - not judgmental.
Check-Out
All 63 registers were 8 customers deep. It's worse than Costco where I live. Kids are sneezing and snotting and coughing. I was trying to breathe through my mouth so I wouldn't smell anything, but then I remembered my nose is my filter feature for airborne germs. It was stressful. I waited, and did the best I could to protect myself.
My Turn
The cashier was wearing latex gloves. Interesting. As I piled more things on the wet conveyor belt, I looked at two other cashiers. No gloves. Interesting. Was something wrong with my cashier? Was this for her protection, or for mine? I continued to empty my cart and shamelessly craned to look at other cashiers. Shit. More of them were wearing gloves.
What the hell?
If a cashier needs to wear gloves for her/his protection from the "clientele", give me a frickin pair when I walk in the door. If a cashier needs to wear gloves for my protection, perhaps they shouldn't be a cashier.
One More Thing
This isn't just about Wal-Mart. I park my car near the closest cart return wherever I shop. That way I can load the car, get kids settled, walk a short distance to return the cart where I'm supposed to (rule follower here). I used the same strategy today. When I returned to my car after shopping, there were four carts lined up along the driver's side and three on the passenger side. The cart return was directly behind my car. Return your carts people. Please. [For the record, even when it's raining, snowing, or blowing and I'm parked very far from the cart return, I always return the cart to it's proper place. I've done this while pregnant and walked on ice - like a little postal worker delivering the mail.]
Now, I'm going to go drink wine, sterilize my entire body and all of today's Wal-Mart purchases.
Reader Comments (23)
Great post, Chris - enjoy the wine and detox!
Joe Girl - Thanks. It's Saturday morning now, and I'm feeling better.
Vodka Mom - Good!
Claire - The store doesn't suffer as much as the other shoppers when you don't return your cart ;)
When it's busy at my store, the customers are generally brusque, if not flat-out rude, and they don't give us time to clean up a bit when it gets dirty before they start piling their purchases onto the registers.
If the store you visited is very busy all the time, it could be that they very rarely have the opportunity to clean up. The cashiers are just trying to protect themselves from getting sick, which is the last thing a person needs when they work retail, and you shouldn't begrudge them that.
Staffing isn't the responsibility of the salesfloor associate or cashier, it is the responsibility of the management. If you are going to be upset at someone for the store being understaffed and dirty, be upset at the management for not scheduling enough maintenance or cashiers for the night. Generally they are cheap bastards who want to pile as much work onto as few people as possible in order to save a buck.
Working for Wal-Mart is a very hard and very tiring job, and most of us work there because we don't have the opportunities you have and we can't work somewhere else. Count your blessings, pick up after yourself, and please be nice to us. You have the power to make it a good day or a crappy day for us with your behavior.
Quinn
I believe you're spot-on with your assessment that management has failed the employees and the customers. Perhaps my mother is right and I shouldn't shop at Wal-Mart until employees are treated and paid better. I don't know.
I don't begrudge anyone who takes responsibility for their health. But as a consumer, it's a bit unsettling to see cashiers as protected as dental assistants. Perhaps it's something we should all do?
People should be kind to everyone. We all work hard and have tiring jobs. And we all have blessings to count.
I worked at Costco a few years ago. I fell into bed every night (as I do now), but I liked the corporate culture. I know they don't always have openings but with your experience, you might want to give it a try.
I was making fun of my own neurosis, and pausing to consider, is this what public interaction has come to? with the glove thing.
Thank you very much for your candid and humbling comment. I hope people read it.
Sam - Several stores here provide the wipes. I think it's a great idea. I have them by my front door too. (kidding)
And I return carts too. In fact, I even pick up one from the parking lot to take in.
So? Now I have to admit that despite the condition of our local Wal-Mart (also old and not spanking clean), I love it. I love wandering the aisles and looking at all manner of funky stuff. As for the cashier, she may have allergies or sensitivities and is protecting herself from coming into contact with irritants. Or she may have had an open cut or sore and was gloved to protect herself from infection. Or she may have had a staph infection (they are rampant these days) and she was gloved to protect others.
Finally, although some folks don't think my feelings are consistent with my Christianity, I think we should extend more than the same benefits to same-sex partners, I think marriage should be legal for everyone. And? I think Jesus would have agreed with me. But I know not everyone agrees with me, or thinks that Jesus would, and I respect those opinions too, even if I don't share them.
Good post!
XOXOXO
Good Post! I can relate! I also try parking to closest cart return but even if that is not possible I always return my cart. I know it is their job but I still sympathize with the employees gathering carts all over the parking lot and especially in AZ and 115 degree weather!Love Em
Cheri - I share your thoughts - I need to shoot you an email... Thanks for your comment.
Emmy Lou - I just LOVE it when you show up here! Doing anything in 115 degree weather is miserable. You're compassionate my friend.
Our Walmart is usually filthy, too. The bathrooms are disgusting and I have let more than one manager know it, too. There seems to be a lack of pride in the appearance of the store. Sam Walton would be pissed.
The French Guy stopped by my blog. I have arrived!.....
See you later....
(LOL!)
P.S. I always return my carts, too. No matter what.
P.S.S. Came over from your interview with MAW.
I shop there twice a month because it IS cheaper. Box of Lucky Charms at Wal-Mart $3.25, local store who shall remain nameless $5.99. I'm not great at math....but that is big money to me.
I HATE when people don't return their carts and I have yelled at people that are too lazy to return them. My brand new car was scratched by a run away cart and I'm still pissed about it 4 years later.
P.S. Thanks for offering to take care of my kids. I might take you up on it!