The Mindlessness of the Big Box Stores of the World

The other evening we attended to one of my most dreaded trips--going to Walmart. I avoid it as much as any human can. However, when the only hardware store that's open is the size of three football fields and all we need from there is a light bulb, the thought of trekking through not one but two big box stores drives us to the process of elimination where we can get the light bulb and detergent--so Walmart it is.


There's just something about a store this size that seems to exemplify all the worst we have come to be as consumers. Aisle after aisle of items that are of limited use, of limited quality, and limited value. Do we really need plastic everything in every color?

The public has been in an out-cry about spending hard-earned lottery dollars ever since it came to the state of Indiana. The ruination of the family; the creation of a great number of working poor; people will spend mindlessly on tickets when they need to buy bread. Is anyone seeing a similarity here?

Look at the average shopping cart at Walmart when you enter the store--they're massive! Think about the size of a "normal" grocery store shopping cart...then look at these behemoths. They're big for a purpose; they're scaled with the enormity of the store just like Vegas scales their signs on their casinos. Now look at the people coming out of Walmart--90% of those carts are filled to the absolute brim with items. Needed items? And all these items in under-sized plastic bags with the Walmart advertising emblazoned--free advertising all around--it's mind-boggling.

The holidays will soon be upon us; the economy isn't growing at nearly enough of a pace to be pronounced healthy. The Christmas trees were already appearing at Walmart--and doesn't everyone need a blue or pink or purple Christmas tree? (I actually saw those when I was on this dreaded trek.) Christmas music will soon be playing, and the prices will soon be artificially falling. And people will buy and buy and buy for whatever reason. The massive carts will continue to spill over with merchandise; then the bills will come.

I have nothing against the Walmarts of the world in general. I question many of their economic principles, but this could be any big box store doing the same damage to the general public. Walmart just seems to enjoy the forefront status, so they're the biggest of the big.

My concern does lie with the idea that we're in a lower-middle class to middle class rut that isn't very pretty from an economic or sociological standpoint. We're buying odd things at an odd time. We're not living below our means and trying to be conservative. We feel deserving. We feel that large amounts of "stuff" will make us feel better. Unfortunately, like a house of cards, it's going to fall...yet again. The economic turn isn't done with us yet. But we can certainly soften the blow by THINKING.

This season let's think out each purchase and teach our kids and grandkids valuable lessons in life along the way. Buy one good, sturdy gift--not 9 things that will fall apart by spring. And, for every gift bought, give something to someone who truly needs it. Allow your kids to see that they are a part of that sacrifice for their brothers and sisters around the world and in their own back yards. What better "gift" can we give to our offspring than the gift of high principles that involves loving our neighbors as ourselves?

Have a fine day.