How does one describe the gift that is Walmart to anyone? Let alone a person from another country. To many, Walmart is a mecca; a shopper's nirvana, on a budget. There is basically nothing you can't get at Walmart (especially the Super Centers). And most of the things at Walmart are for a few pennies less than most places.
Of course we all know the real reason to shop at Walmart... people watching. And behavior studies. Always have a journal at Walmart... the things you will see. It's legendary. You can't get that kind of free entertainment at Target.
Redditor u/Filmologic wanted to know how we could best describe one of America's landmark stores by asking.... Americans, how would you describe Walmart to Europeans?
Do the Dew!
You ever just want to spend an afternoon cruising around on a scooter, drinking a 64oz container of Mountain Dew, just perusing a bunch of deals?
Somewhere, a dentist cringes, at your child size Mountain Dew.
ASDA....
Walmart owns ASDA. Same products from the same brands and the same slogan, even the in-store announcements are mostly the same. I'm from the Midwest, and when I spent a semester abroad in the UK I was shocked at how American it was.
Imagine ASDA, but blue and with bad lighting, then put a small automotive center, McDonalds, news agent, cheap optometrist, and a nail salon under the same roof, and that's Walmart. AndyWinds
One Stop Dumb
Its meant to be a one stop shopping center with food, clothing, electronics, etc. Since it is a HUGE company they have been able to really drive down prices. The low prices mean it tends to attract people of lower socio-economic classes than we see in similar stores.
Because humans are really judgmental, we really look down on those less fortunate than ourselves and mock how dumb the people of Walmart are.
Cheap!
GiphyCheap supermarket with better selection of random crap and sell guns. May have a fast food chain inside. ReallyLongElbows
REWE First.
You know how if you want several different types of things you need to like.... go to ikea for a lamp, and then media market for a video game, then Rewe for rice for the recipe you're making for dinner, then Rossman for your prescription and some handsoap? Here you just go to Walmart.
"people of Walmart"
Not just the pricing, location and branding. Target and Meijer and Kroger are relatively competitive on price, but they set up in upper-middle class areas. And Target especially is leaning hard into the MILF demographic
Also, theres plenty of poor people that aren't "people of Walmart". To be a proper Person of Walmart, you need at least 300 pounds of excess fat, liver failure and/or lung cancer, a poorly done tattoo or 10, and a Trump bumper sticker. I'd argue the typical Person of Walmart is actually, on paper, middle class, just with a complete inability to plan.
So Many Walmarts!
I have 6 Walmart stores all less than 30min drive from my house(not counting the SAMS Club) Almost all are open 24/7. We have one that has 2 floors. Groceries, underwear, cigs, beer, dog food, car battery, new fishing rod and a ps4 game at 1am? No problem. Oh, u can also grab a whole roasted chicken to go for a snack.
Sad Staff.
GiphyWalmart is a store where, in the US, a full-time employee still qualifies for subsidized housing and food stamps.
Amazon Style....
Sort of like Amazon, but in a physical store. They sell everything pretty much, and it's pretty cheap. Not as bad as people talk about it. Target is the only other physical store I can think of that is similar.
The Regulars...
GiphyCheap, crowded, and there's a slight chance you might run into your fifth grade teacher wearing pjs and a snorkel.
"My" Walmart Only!
You need to visit my Walmart. In a 12 foot section of shelving units, most of it is bare. My local Walmart is the only Walmart within a 4 hour drive radius and they're CONSTANTLY empty and their employees don't know crap. It's embarrassing and honestly they should do our community some good and shut down, or fire the manager.
They even had to shutdown for a week because of a massive flood in the area and you'd think they'd finally catch up, get their crap together and stay on top of the ordering? Heck no, still empty as hell.
Not to mention they got caught after the wildfire evacuation selling tainted products from the fire. They got in massive crap for that.
under $300....
Every product generally under $300 (most under $5) that you've ever imagined made in China, plus a grocery, toy, McDonalds, hardware, garden, electronics, craft, sports, jewelry, clothing shop, in a store the size of Liechtenstein.
Made in China.
GiphyIn 1990, I had the pleasure of escorting a group of exchange students from the Russian boondocks to a 24 hour Walmart Supercenter the size of an airplane hanger. One cheekily said:
Just like Russia: everything's made in China, and if you really want it, it's out of stock.
coolidge_fan
So Much Good!
Don't forget the car tire center.
And hair care, nail salon, fast food restaurants
Banking, guns, gardening stuff, gaming lounges, booze, photo processing, taxes (Many peoples, Sorry! flooded with comments)
Gas station (/u/FizzyBeverage)
Hunting/fishing supplies (u/holymuffins)
Eye care center (u/chunwookie)
They do have almost everything. I have several friends that I don't think have gone to a store besides Walmart in years. I used to live between a Walmart and a Home Depot, and I don't think in all of the years I lived there I went to store that wasn't one of those two.
Lowest Denominator.
Everything you could want at 1/2 the price and 1/10 the quality.
I was about to describe it as "the lowest form of retail in the United States" then I remembered Dollar General & Dollar Tree exist.
Blame Canada.
Don't forget the non-existent customer service.
You can definitely get the exact same thing cheaper at Walmart than most other places. Also, their return policy is legendary if you're willing to use it.
Also, I'm Canadian. Not sure if that changes anything.
Like absolutely giant.
GiphyI've been to Walmart, as a European, and I live to tell the tale. They sell GUNS. In a supermarket! Also that was in a small town and the store was still HUGE. Like absolutely giant. Basically a small mall on its own. I've never seen such a supermarket in Europe.
Viola, it's a Walmart.
So imagine all those small shops that specialize in different wares and services, from clothing to electronics, from jewelry to crafts. Now gather them all in one place. Then turn on the compactor switch. then crush them, grind them, mangle them and their dreams and then add guns. Viola, it's a Walmart.
The Sunshine Store.
GiphyIf Florida was a store.
Ex-Floridian, please take this humble fake gold 🏆🏆🏆
I knew someone was gonna say this lmao.
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Redditor Moist-Patience-4989 asked:
"What is a toy you always wanted growing up, but never got?"
Power Wheels
"The Barbie Jeep that you could actually ride in. But once I had kids, I bought them one (not the Barbie version, but still). And guess what? I was five pounds under the weight limit so I was able to ride in their battery-powered Jeep. I mean, it was a couple decades late, but I eventually got to do it."
- smugmisswoodhouse
"Lol I never got one of those as a kid either. It still haunts me till this day. I have no idea why but it still does. My mom bought me a car for my 16th birthday but I still bring up the freaking power wheel. I guess it really scarred me."
- Annonme123
Easy - Bake Oven
"Easy - Bake Oven"
- Antibara
"Me too. I wanted one so bad. When they came out with the real retro looking ones a while ago, I was sooo tempted. LOL"
- Real-Web8925
"I was a child of the 70s, and wanted the Holly Hobbie version. My parents were poor and/or didn't want me cooking in my bedroom, so they dodged by pointing out it was for ages 8 and up. By the time I was 8 I was cooking real food in an actual oven so the request was dropped. Still low-key want one though, entirely to indulge my inner child."
- pepperminticecream
"Easy bake oven. Parents didn’t think it was a toy for boys. I still became a baker anyways"
- Soggy-Juggernaut-569
Mini Bike
"A mini-bike like they advertised in the Sears Christmas catalog."
- XploringTheWorld
"Same. I wanted one so bad. All the guys on my street had one and to get into the woods they drove their bikes between my house and the neighbors. On our lawn! I was so pissed off they got to do it but my dad didn’t think it was safe for a girl (in 1968)."
- SnowinMiami
Tamagotchi
90S Nostalgia GIFGiphy"Always wanted a Tamagotchi"
- DuracellCosmonaut
"They were banned at my school. I think there was a bit of controversy with them at the time."
- Maso_TGN
"I have mine! Just put fresh batteries in it a couple weeks ago and I still can’t keep the dumb thing alive 😅"
- IJustWantWaffles_87
TMNT Pizza Shooter
"The ninja turtle pizza thrower van."
- Ph33r-Enigma
"My friend brought his TMNT Pizza Shooter over. We then spent the next 2 hours shooting my older sister. I asked for one and my parents (for very good reason) told me absolutely not."
- HoopOnPoop
"I just used it to shoot pizzas at my little brother. Thing was amazing
- MrJimBusiness18
American Girl Dolls
"An American Girl doll. Loved the books so much. I've been tempted to buy myself a Samantha now that she's out again, but I like the original outfit better."
- horseruth
"I read that catalogue cover to cover every time I got it (which is back when there were only three dolls and nothing ever changed). I was convinced when I grew up and had kids, my daughter would have all three dolls, each in its own room so that the historical eras didn't get mixed up. Spoiler alert: that did not happen. No kids, and my house doesn't have three extra bedrooms to devote to dolls."
- jleebeane
Castle Greyskull
he-man GIFGiphy"Castle Grayskull, from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe."
- Maso_TGN
"My brother had it and I played with my strawberry shortcake dolls in it."
- GlamSpam
"By The Power Of Grayskull, sacrilege!"
- Maso_TGN
"They actually made a new one recently, and it’s identical to the original 80’s one, just with modern details. You can get it here."
- IncreaseWestern6097
Rock Tumbler
"A rock tumbler"
- Picklesgal111
"I was looking for this one. We are two rocks in the tumbler together."
- Independent_Cut8651
"Not really a toy, but I’ve wanted a rock polishing kit for as long as I can remember and would ask for one every Christmas and birthday."
- awesquirrel
Pokédex
"a pokedex. I wanted one so bad, but NoOoOo, mom and dad thought pokemon was annoying"
- CptJaxxParrow
The Big Box of Crayons
"The Crayola 64-pack with the three metallic colors."
- wholewheatscythe
You may have missed out on these toys as a child, but the great thing about being an adult is that you can do what you want. If the toy you desperately wanted as a kid is still available, you are totally allowed to just go out and buy yourself one.
Redditor OfficialVickiLuv wanted to share the truths we need to know, so they asked:
"What is a common 'fact' that you know is bulls**t?"
There is no such thing as an alternative fact.
So let's start there.
Not a Forest
the ice pirates shaving GIF by Warner ArchiveGiphy"Shaving makes your hair grow back thicker."
Heavy_Educator9822
"I used to believe this one. I was very disappointed when I learned it was BS."
leebon427
Both Sides
"There are two kinds of thinkers: Right brain people are who are creative, and the people that use the left side who can do math."
Beaver_Buster
"Try telling that to psychologists/psychiatrists who do research/clinical studies/trials. I’ve been denied dozens of times to partake in research studies revolving around mental health, specifically depression, and anxiety."
"Why did they deny me [even tho I was a perfect candidate]? Because I write with my left hand. And apparently it would make their study 'invalid' because they 'don’t want to interfere with results.'"
"Please tell me how excluding a large amount of people from a research study would somehow give you the correct answer for treating mental health for everybody?"
asianstyleicecream
Find them...
"That you have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing."
Zatiebars
"Especially with children, the quicker the police can get to the 'crime' scene the fresher the evidence and easier to follow leads. I used crime in quotes because there could have been a crime or the kid might have just wandered off."
"But it's not just for kids though... If you know someone is a home body and never leaves home and you know something has happened, by all means call the police. Even if they like to take random trips, it never hurts to inform the law."
Zatiebars
Crackle... Pop
"Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis."
Famous-Background329
"Probably just normal. Cracks are just little bubbles of nitrogen that settle where there's space. They don't build up over time, once the space is occupied by a little bubble then no more can join it. A knuckle that hasn't been cracked in 50 years is the same as a knuckle that hasn't been cracked in a few hours."
ConstantSignal
Give a Howl
Angry Wolf GIF by CuriosityStreamGiphy"Alpha wolves being real. The guy who did the original study disproved his one study and gets mad when people get it wrong now... lol."
Silverj0
"Came looking for this, also extrapolating this BS to human beings and 'sigma,' go read. The articles are all available. It's nonsense that people still believe s* like this with access to everything in their hands."
artemispock
The wolf pack is always ready.
Trivia
Facts GIF by Judge JerryGiphy"A 'factoid' is an often repeated statement that isn't true, but is now believed to be true due to people saying it all the time. Its not a mini fact, or like, fun piece of trivia."
JackofScarlets
Breakfast Companies
"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The quote was made by Kellogg's to make people buy more cereal. If you search up articles that say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, most are sponsored by Kellogg's."
Jazzlike-Caramel7103
"I’m not sure Kellogg’s made it up. In my country there’s a saying that’s been around forever that alludes to the importance of breakfast that goes 'have breakfast like a king and dinner like a poor person.' Kellogg’s might’ve simply exploited an existing popular belief."
kaleidoscopichazard
Hey Stumpy
"Caffeine makes you short."
CForey62
"This one makes me laugh. I've been drinking coffee since I was like 9 years old and turned out 190cm tall."
TurquoiseBeetle67
Spuds
"Potatoes absorb toxins. The amount of people that believe putting potato slices in your shoes or wear them around your neck as a holistic medical treatment is shockingly high. It’s just oxidation."
wheresmychin
"I recall seeing a antivaxx meme that said if you had to get a COVID shot to put a potato slice at the injection site to absorb all the toxins. I’m all for sharing that idea if it makes people get vaccinated."
OrangeTree81
Look Out
Flying Fox Bat GIF by Barbara PozziGiphy"Bats are blind."
IWantOneSpatula
"I remember getting into a really stupid argument shortly after high school with a friend over this who just couldn't believe that bats weren't actually blind."
__M-E-O-W__
"Fine. Bats are legally blind."
shifty_coder
Now I've learned more.
Do you have anything to add? Let us know in the comments below.