topic Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story in Community Chat

Heartbreaking Walmart Story

elated — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:15:46 GMT

Today, I stopped by Walmart to get a few items. When I went to checkout the woman ahead of me was paying for her groceries. Her little girl was playing on the cart. I saw her continuing to count her money. I thought the cashier was not finished ringing up her groceries. The woman gave the cashier back some of her groceries. They were two frozen dinners. They were the Mega Banquet Dinners for $2.98 each. By the time the groceries were returned, the cashier gave it to her coworker to put away. I would have paid had I known she was short. The cashier said the woman wouldn't listen to her about counting her money on the grocery bag turn table. She was disgruntled.

It just breaks my heart to see people struggling to pay for food. It made me stop and think to be thankful for what I have.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

CrazyDaisy — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:23:07 GMT

Happens at just about every store.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

Shelbelle — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:28:32 GMT

Reminds me of the exact same scene in Terms of Endearment.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

Effie54 — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:30:53 GMT

Oh no, that's heartbreaking. I would have also offered to pay. That could be the difference between them eating a meal and going hungry. The employee seemed to be lacking empathy.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

meallen616 — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:39:09 GMT

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

occasionalrain — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:40:12 GMT

Grocery store cashiers are not well paid. She probably has her own issues to endure.

Did you notice what else the woman bought? Milk, eggs, bread...or overpriced junk food like the TV dinners?

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

KKJ — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:43:37 GMT

@occasionalrain I don't think we should be so judgmental of what was in this lady's cart.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

elated — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:47:39 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
Grocery store cashiers are not well paid. She probably has her own issues to endure.
Did you notice what else the woman bought? Milk, eggs, bread...or overpriced junk food like the TV dinners?

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

elated — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:47:00 GMT

@elated wrote:
@occasionalrain wrote:
Grocery store cashiers are not well paid. She probably has her own issues to endure.
Did you notice what else the woman bought? Milk, eggs, bread...or overpriced junk food like the TV dinners?
No, I came when all the groceries were already bagged. I think you missed my point. I am not judging a person on what they purchase. People purchase what they can afford.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

cheriere — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:48:33 GMT

@elated

That's such a shame folks are struggling with buying food right now. If not for the grace of God, any one here could have that very same problem. Food security is a growing concern for many.

Even though this was terribly sad to read, I am glad you posted it. I think sometimes we too often get bogged down thinking about our own struggles, that we sometimes forget what those of another might be.😔❤️

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

occasionalrain — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:52:57 GMT

@elated

You seemed to be judging the cashier, but perhaps I'm wrong.

I was thinking of the child and that the woman could have done better with her limited finances.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

TheMemphisVette — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:54:32 GMT

i can't imagine what folks with young families are going through just trying to feed them

the grocery prices are unreal

hard to get worked up over the price of a top on shopping channel that no one really needs

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

KKJ — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:54:51 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
@elated
You seemed to be judging the cashier, but perhaps I'm wrong.
I was thinking of the child and that the woman could have done better with her limited finances.

Wow! And that's not judgmental?

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

elated — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:55:30 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
@elated
You seemed to be judging the cashier, but perhaps I'm wrong.
I was thinking of the child and that the woman could have done better with her limited finances.

I am not judging anyone. I relayed what the cashier stated. Why are you trying to derail this thread with your opinions. Very sad we can't have adult discussions.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

Snowpuppy — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:56:48 GMT

I lived it at one time in my life. Not ashamed of that experience at all.

The 10 Items or Less line needed to tide us over for a week.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

rockygems123 — Tue, 21 May 2024 22:06:05 GMT

@elated wrote:
Today, I stopped by Walmart to get a few items. When I went to checkout the woman ahead of me was paying for her groceries. Her little girl was playing on the cart. I saw her continuing to count her money. I thought the cashier was not finished ringing up her groceries. The woman gave the cashier back some of her groceries. They were two frozen dinners. They were the Mega Banquet Dinners for $2.98 each. By the time the groceries were returned, the cashier gave it to her coworker to put away. I would have paid had I known she was short. The cashier said the woman wouldn't listen to her about counting her money on the grocery bag turn table. She was disgruntled.

It just breaks my heart to see people struggling to pay for food. It made me stop and think to be thankful for what I have.

@elated

Thank you for posting this, it is truly heartbreaking and as others have stated it makes us look inward and not to take for granted our own situations.

Makes you think what we can do as individuals on a small or even large scale.

I appreciate your post.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

kaydee50 — Tue, 21 May 2024 22:09:49 GMT

@elated @rockygems123 Looking for a way to contribute? Donate to your local food bank. Here in Chicago we have the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Every litte bit helps!

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

rockygems123 — Tue, 21 May 2024 22:11:20 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
@elated @rockygems123 Looking for a way to contribute? Donate to your local food bank. Here in Chicago we have the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Every litte bit helps!

@kaydee50

Yes that is a great reminder! We already do that and would like to do more.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

kaydee50 — Tue, 21 May 2024 22:14:47 GMT

@rockygems123 wrote:
@kaydee50 wrote:
@elated @rockygems123 Looking for a way to contribute? Donate to your local food bank. Here in Chicago we have the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Every litte bit helps!

@kaydee50

Yes that is a great reminder! We already do that and would like to do more.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Eye opening experience and very rewarding.

Re: Heartbreaking Walmart Story

eadu4 — Tue, 21 May 2024 22:26:07 GMT

@occasionalrain respectfully, since we don't know what was in her other bags and you are judging her on two frozen dinners perhaps you might consider her reason for those two dinners. She has a small child, perhaps she works multiple jobs and those would have given her a break from cooking. Not everyone is a good cook, or has time to put together a "homemade" meal every night. Yes you can make meals ahead but since no one here walks in her shoes and has ANY idea what her life is like, perhaps we should not judge her on a couple of items?
We all try to make good choices. I know when my kids were young there were times I opted for a "quick meal". I was working weekends, holidays, and for a time two jobs. I didn't feel guilty and my kids weren't harmed. It gave me more time with them. I considered that a "better choice" 😊