Do people avoid discount stores because they dislike poor people?

Question

One of the guys I work with told me he disliked Walmart because he didn't like being around poor people. I told him I didn't care about who was at the stores since I ignored the other shoppers anyways. Do people resent poor people these days? Why the dislike? (Note: I'll have to ask the guy to elaborate if he mentions it again)

Answer 1

I'll tell you, I got slapped and punched by a woman at a WalMart. That is not something you see at Macy's.

Peace!

Answer 2

That's absolutely why people avoid discount stores. I don't think it's always a conscious thing like with your coworker, but it's definitely a reason. People watching at Wal-Mart is a fascinating past time. For one, you can see EXACTLY what the media is talking about when they say Americans are obese.

It's not so much that people resent poor people- they're just uncomfortable around ways of like they're unfamiliar with. You shop where you're comfortable and where you feel you fit in. I hate shopping at Stein Mart because the employees seem snooty to me- I can afford to shop there, but I choose not to because I get the impression I'm not "good enough" for them (maybe it's just my particular location). I suppose the same can be said for how people fit in at Wal-Mart.

People also avoid discount stores like Wal-Mart because they take away from smaller businesses (watch a documentary on Wal-Mart and you'll be crazy amazed at how it all works). They choose to shop elsewhere to support local business owners.

Answer 3

I find myer and david jones are a lot better, their sales are better value and much cheaper then say BIG W's original prices, returns are easier, staff are freindlier, and prices are either compatable or matchable anyway, so I shop at the larger more established classed department stores. Who cares about price-matching an extra 2$ on a dvd if your time in line is reduced by 20minutes, you have no screaming children or loud rude individuals abusing the checkout staff, lowering their and your moral, and you can get support you need from staff, and the staff training does not consist of (and I paraphrase from my boss at Kmart) "don't encourage the shoppers to much to seek assistance, be polite, but try to keep in mind we are a self service store, we are not Myer, so we generally won't help out customers too much, encourage them to look after themselves.)

Answer 4

You know, I love shopping at discount stores and I am not poor at all. In fact, I know a few very well-off people that actually clip coupons and shop at the Dollar Store for day-to-day personal items and cleaning products, LOL!

I think that not shopping at discount stores has to do with image... this country focuses way too much on what other people think of other people. That's funny, though, because logically you would think everyone would WANT to shop at discount stores to prove that they are thrifty and financially sensible.

Answer 5

That's ignorant of him! Most people avoid walmart and other discount stores because the quality of the merchandise is generally poorer (think clothes, shoes, towels, etc), or they need/want more service and help in making decisions (electronics). Or perhaps they dislike the low wages, no benefits, and other problems associated with the "big box retailers"

There are plenty of weird people in Saks Fifth Avenue too.

Answer 6

Most people have a status issue when it comes to things like that. They don't want to go to Good Will stores for fear that someone might see them and think that they don't have enough money to buy the expensive things. Or buy Walmart cloths because it has to be the most expensive brand out there to wear. It is all in peoples heads and I wish everyone could get over it.

Answer 7

Wow, your friend must really have his nose in the air! First of all, define "poor". Ugh, I can't stand people with that kind of mentality. I can't stand people with that "better than you" attitude. I wouldn't call myself poor, although I can't say that I'm rich, either. What I do have I'm very, very thankful for, and what I don't have, well, I'm not taking a freaking thing with me when I leave this earth, anyway. Your friend's comment reminds me of someone I used to work with. His philosophy was that he didn't need any friends-he had his money to keep him warm. My thought was that I hope they line his coffin with it. This question has angered me more than any other I've seen so far. There are so many short sighted, narrow minded people in this world.

Answer 8

Maybe it is not the other shoppers but the panhandlers in the parking lots and then of course you do have the ones who just stand by the doors asking for money and change. Ya don't see people begging for money in the parking lot of the malls now do ya?

Answer 9

its not that they're poor,
its just the bad manners and unclean some of them,
Actually, its probably more of an issue about the shopping conditions, its so crowded in that store, people in the line-ups at the checkouts get grumpy and rude, and no one can feel nice or special there. Staff are too busy to be pleasant, you're just another number in the crowd.
Rudeness exists in posh places too, some rich people can be very rude rich snobs

Answer 10

One of the girl I met she said poor people are gross, so she never get to any discount stores. But I do go to discount store for one purpose I need a bargain!

Answer 11

He's afraid, being seen at a discounter could give people the impression, he is fallen on hard times and don't want to be associated with less fortunate ones. It's dumb but what you going to do.