An elderly man with huge breast implants spilling out of his open shirt. A black woman in knee high I-skinned-Elmo red fringed boots and a matching red crop top and Elmo hair extensions. A white woman dressed in stripper heels in a micromini dress bending awkwardly over her grocery cart. The people – or “Wal-creatures” as the site names them – are all real Wal-Mart shoppers and are all featured on a new website called People of Walmart.
Admit it: if you saw any of these people at your neighborhood Wally World, you’d chuckle. You might even text a friend. I did exactly that the other day, actually, when I was waiting to try on a sports bra and the person waiting directly behind me was a man. Also holding a sports bra. It was weird and hilarious and the friend I texted was amused for hours. But what if I had snapped a pic on my cellphone? And sent it out as a text blast? And posted it to my Facebook? And then sent it in to People of Walmart?
Where do you draw the line between getting a harmless chuckle out of the strangeness of everyday life and cruelly poking fun of people who are, after all, just trying to buy some groceries.
The Case for Funny
– Life would be boring if everyone were the same, right? I love me a good character. Heck, sometimes I am that character.
– Why was the Internet invented if not to pass around funny pictures? Hello, remember Awkward Family Photos??
– The site also features harmless pics like a bike with training wheels chained to a sign or this one of a car with a homemade plywood spoiler on the back:
– Wal-Mart is a magnet for strange. It’s about time someone capitalized on that.
– Everyone should get their 15 minutes of fame, right? Why else would anyone leave the house dressed like that if they didn’t want the attention?
– We laugh at celebrities all the time for looking like morons – isn’t it only fair that we’re the targets sometimes too?
– The captions are usually pretty benign. Actually, they’re usually hilarious.
– They are equal opportunity mockers. Sure there are quite a few fat-people-in-bad-clothes shots. But there are an equal amount of weird mullets. And lots of bizarre cars. Not to mention all the crazy stuff that Wal-Mart actually sells.
– Anyone wearing a swastika sweatshirt deserves to be publicly shamed.
The Case for Cruel
– While the captions may be mostly nice, the commenters sure don’t hold anything back. They are mean. Of course, most of the people who comment on my Huffington Post articles are also seriously rude so it’s not like it’s limited to that site.
– If you can’t go to Wal-Mart looking schlubby then where can you go at 2 a.m. in your pjs for cough syrup? Must we always look perfect before stepping out in public?
– Most of the featured people look disadvantaged in someway – either elderly or handicapped or poor or not of our culture or just not “all there.” Isn’t making fun of people who don’t know better and/or can’t help themselves the definition of cruel?
– The pictures generally appear to be taken covertly as most of the subjects don’t seem to know they’ve been snapped. I don’t know if I’d be okay with that.
– The site calls them “Wal-Creatures”, as if they’re not even human.
A Grand Social Commentary
Gawker.com went so far as to declare the site neither funny nor cruel but rather a compelling portrait of 2000-era Americana in all it’s unairbrushed, quirky glory. I can see their point – in a world where we are bombarded with carefully crafted media messages that only show perfect people, it does seem important to remember that most of us are just normal people living lives that are only remarkable in small ways. Or maybe that’s just a justification for laughing at others so we can feel better about ourselves?
I did a little poll on Facebook and of my 8 friends who answered me, all came down on the side of funny (albeit some a little guiltily). What say you: funny or cruel? Or something else entirely?
Charlotte, this is really a very interesting commentary. I hate to say that at first, I thought funny & those crazy people not only at Wal-Mart but out & about. BUT, after reading your post, I do wonder what it would be like to NOT care about what other people think & just "be". What would that be like. I think many of us might find this funny before reading your post but I wonder after reading it if these people are just happy with who they are & screw everyone else.
I am sure some are disadvantaged & some may "not be all there" & others just are poor & have nothing else. Others may just be happy with themselves & who are we to say they have to look or be anything different than that.
I just think this is an extremely interesting commentary.
Thx for making me think!
While the site itself seems kind of cruel (and a bit high school-ish), I must say that I am also drawn to characters. They're much more interesting than people who try so hard to be cool or cutting edge!
What I don't like is when tje anonymity of the internet allows for extreme cruelty. Why do we always have to make fun of people?
(On an entertainment "news" show the other day, Ryan Seacrest started taking potshots at Kevin Federline's weight gain. And the rest of the "reporters" on the show followed suit! It was disgusting, and I don't even like K-Fed!!!!!)
It's hard to differentiate between people who are doing it for attention and people that are dressed like that for reasons outside of their control. When you can tell the difference it's funny, but it's cruel when the line is a little blurred.
I like to err on the side of comedy with the hopes that there is a mediator that sifts through for the funny and disregards the malicious.
Cruel. It's not fair to anyone to take photos of them without them knowing and then laugh at them about it.
That's not to say I don't find the pictures funny- because I do. But I still don't think it's right. It's more cruel than it is funny. I think that it's okay to find something amusing, but if we're plastering photos of people on the Internet and poking fun, then it goes a little bit too far.
I've always hated being laughed at. No, I wouldn't want to be exactly the same as everyone else- but that doesn't mean I want to be ridiculed for looking different, either.
Great question, Charlotte!
Hmm, well really it's both. How's that for P.C.? It is cruel to laugh at poor, defenseless people and spash their faces all over the internet for all to see… with the sole intent of having people laugh their asses off. Having said that, I just spent the last 5 minutes looking at every photo and laughing my ass off at nearly every one(except for the swastikidiot, at whom I cringed. So, I guess that makes me a hyprocrite. By the way, I think that the captions were in good taste.
I don't think it should be acceptible for anyone to have their pic posted online without their knowledge. Especially with mean people commenting and some of the pics being face on. However, I do love the photos. I think it shows how great it is that we have the freedom to do and wear whatever we want…for better or worse!
I'll get yelled at for saying this but we've gone too politically correct. That site was hilarious. Why can't people just admit that there is some outrageous sh*t out there, have a chuckle over it and move on? Everyone wants to blame poverty, and mental illness but seriously there are a zillion articles devoted to celebrities who dress bad. I guess if you are offended by one you have to be offended by another otherwise that would be discrimination right?
I will also add that some of those pictures are truly awesome.
*I do think though, all the faces should be blurred.
I'm reserving judgement on the site, since I'd be super sad to see myself on there (though since I tend to avoid Walmart, it's unlikely I will), but at the same time, some of those outfits are so silly (or repulsive, like the swastika people).
But regardless, I've never mastered the art of taking photos of crazy looking people in a covert manner. Kind wish I had, but no such luck.
I get torn.
For me when I exit the domicile I truly DO NOT CARE what other think and wouldnt care at ALL were I posted and giggled at.
that said, I find sites like that cruel.
its all about people not setting themselves out and out to be filmed or pics snapped.
the assumption of anonymity when we do something as mundane as shopping for groceries.
FRACK Im rambling huh?
put me in the "celebs assume such risk (like the KFed thing) and we regular peeps do not and should be off limits" camp.
I have to agree it's both funny and cruel. And sure, maybe a few people are looking at these shots with empathy but 90% or more of the folks who see the shots are laughing at these people and many are layering on additional ridicule in the comments.
I try to imagine being one of these people, an overweight insecure woman perhaps, inappropriately dressed because I either don't know better or am mentally challenged, and then discovering that my picture has been displayed to millions all over the country who feel I am disgusting and pathetic. And given how cruel people are, I'm sure there's a good chance someone will tip them off.
I have to admit that a few days ago I went to the site and laughed, but on further reflection I don't think I want to support it with my page views, given the potential human consequences. It's one thing if people were voluntarily exposing themselves for publicity, but these are candid shots of people going about their business.
Great question and discussion, thanks Charlotte!
When I go to Food Maxx (the local Walmart-equivalent grocery store) I find myself dressing perhaps a bit more outrageously than usual because, what the heck, it's Food Maxx!
It would totally serve me right to see my photo on a website.
I think that because their faces aren't blocked out, it's crossing a line.
The biggest thing about it that got me is that, like Tricia said, their faces aren't blocked out. I mean, what if one of those people turned out to be you, or your neighbor, or the guy in the cubicle next to you? I don't think most people would find it as funny then.
I will fully admit that I don't go to Wal-Mart looking nice. I've gone sans makeup, hair in a bun, wearing SpongeBob pj pants. And I don't really care. But, I don't want a picture of my saggy SpongBob pants on the internet for others to mock.
It's both, but I think it's more shortsighted and presumptuous than simply cruel.
This is a really thought-provoking topic, and I'm going to diverge slightly away from it. Like you, I love characters. And I'm fortunate to live in a neighborhood where I can't walk a block without tripping over four or five (South Boston – it's like the movies, but better).
In a class I took last the fall, we got talking about the personalities of different urban areas, which somehow segued into the culture of dive bars, and "slumming it" as amusement. How college kids/young people especially enjoy going to local watering holes ironically, to watch (and presumably make fun of) the regulars who frequent these places.
My teacher brought up the profoundly interesting and painfully obvious point that while we might be going out to dive bars, Wal-Mart, Waffle House, etc simply to get a laugh, or under the pretense that it's some sort of sociological amusement park, what we call "slumming it" is someone else's LIFE.
It's amazing how few (i.e. none) of us had ever thought about it that way before.
I'm not going to lie – I still laugh at people for wearing or doing ridiculous things. I still think of people as minor characters in the ongoing novel of my life, when I should realize they're also the main character in the ongoing novel of theirs. But behind a jorts & mesh tank combo, or bizarre and varied facial hair arrangement, these folks have entire lives they're living. All the time. When they walk away, or I stop looking at a candid and pithily captioned awkward photo of them, they still have lives they're living. It always makes me pause a little when I consider that.
We can never know anyone's whole story simply from one encounter or one photograph, but I think it's important to keep in mind that they, and we, all have one.
That might have gone way off topic, but again, really made me think!
Thanks for all the great, thought-provoking posts.
I always leave the house in black tie. In the house, too.
char – you should SO HuffPo this…
char – you should SO HuffPo this…
char – you should SO HuffPo this…
Maybe they are disguising themselves so no one will know that they are shopping at Wal=Mart.
Now we can add "man who hits the misbehaving children of complete strangers" to the bizzare Walmart shoppers list. Here's the link to the article:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2137913/man_slaps_child_in_walmart_for_crying.html?cat=9
High School… all over again 🙁
I don't like that they don't know their pictures have been taken. To me that is unfair…BUT I think if you go out and look a bit goofy you have to expect to get a few wierd comments…I know when I make a 2AM 711 run I look very bad and if people mocked me, well, hey. Oh well…
For me, really, I find it disturbing when people need to make fun of other people, celebs or otherwise. I don't think it's cruel, I just think there are other things to do that are much more laudable. 🙂
Sorry – gotta say funny. Just as it's your right to go out looking however you want, it's my right to snicker at it. Sometimes I leave the house looking ridiculous and if someone wants to feature me on a website, fabulous! Cruel, maybe, but that's how I feel. 😉
It reminds me of the TV program, "Candid Camera". That show scarred me for life – I was really young when the original was on and ever since, I've always had the feeling that someone is watching me.
(Does that sound paranoid? Hmmm)
I tend to agree with others who have said that these people are just living their lives, going about their business, totally unaware that they are being ridiculed on the web. How would any of us feel if we found our own photo there?
(And the beard and boob guy — that's just sad.)
Haven't looked at the site yet with the exception of the photos you linked to, but I fully intend to go over straight from here.
I don't know about all the photos but the ones like the lady in the red boots and the one with her behind hanging out the back of her pants are just asking for it. They obviously think they look pretty awesome that way. The other day I saw a very nice looking lady that was every bit of 65 yrs old dressed rather nicely with about 90% of her boobies out for God and everybody to see. Ridiculous. I think if you don't want people to snicker at you don't do that crap. It's a choice they make when they leave the house. Just like Tallulah Willis and the photo of her behind hanging out of her shorts. Her mother is pitching a royal fit about it. My take on the deal is that if you keep your cheeks inside your shorts they don't get photographed. Especially when you know you are subject to be photographed by paparazzi. Maybe her momma should police what she wears a little more!
I agree with this statement, "Anyone wearing a swastika sweatshirt deserves to be publicly shamed."
It seems like you can only make the cruel/okay determination in context. The about us section tries to sound like POW is not making fun of the "handicapped" and that it's about "Americana" but a little whitewash doesn't wash off the stink of mocking the poor, uneducated, or–heavens almighty–the strongly individualistic (as opposed to the individuals buying a different identity that's marketed to them as acceptable individualism). Also I think the guy in clown clothes is probably an entertainer and not someone rocking a fashion statement.
This is my 1st time at your blog and it rocks! Keep up the great work. I loathe Walmart…I love the pics.
Great Pics! I don't think they are cruel, just showing people in their "natural" state.
A lot of those photos aren't as funny as the one's cherry picked. Some of the people are just heavy, or are people who are wearing pretty benign clothes that are made fun of.
The question is, how much becomes an intrusion on privacy? How many of us want to be secretly photographed then shown to the public?
I didn't find a lot to laugh at on the site…
What surprises me is the number of people (both here and there) who think that it's ok to laugh and shame people who look, dress, or act a little different than they do. I can't help but notice the amount of homophobia the site supports as well.
I guess diversity of any kind isn't to be tolerated, or perhaps it helps us feel superior to be so damned self righteous.
Now I have to admit I was totally disappointed in the site. I looked through every page, and expected to see something truly outrageous, but didn't see anything different than what you see on main street America any day of the year…
and yes, even the stuff that was obviously costume (like Captain America)… which I've seen on Halloween, and during Sci Fi and Comic Book Conventions.
So what?
Big ups for sharing, simply hilarious.
An open message to those that cannot seem to laugh: GROW A GOD DAMN SENSE OF HUMOR.
These people choose to go out in whatever they wear. I'm sure most have a mirror. So if that's what they're gona wear in public, I will laugh my a$$ off.
Comedy is truth and pain. It's a release from tension. Don't believe me? Go check out every episode of "that funny show" you love so much. Armed with this new information… you'll be quite surprised at what you now notice.
I had never seen this before, but honestly, I laughed my butt off. So funny! Then I came back to your blog and read your thoughts… but honestly, it didn't make me feel bad for laughing. I'm exactly of the same opinion as Quix on this one. It's not posting names, addresses – it's just posting a pic. If you don't want to be seen looking ridiculous, don't go out in public looking like that.
I guess I'm just not clear on why people would be embarrassed if someone they knew saw them looking like that on a website, but not embarrassed if someone they knew happened to be in the store when they were there looking like that.
I’d have to say most people who find the site funny are really only people missing a certain thing called a “conscience”!
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Laughing at the less fortunate says more about the laugher than the laughee. The “less fortunate” includes those who , for whatever reason, don’t have the social consciousness or ability to blend into society.
This should be illegal. It’s never ok. You think this is funny and these people deserve it?General tolerance of this type of thing is enabling cyber bullying. THIS is cyber bullying too! Except the victims are clueless. Your teenage daughter wouldn’t be If you are here laughing know that someone can take a photo of your daughter in the gym shower and post that everywhere. I heard of a case today that some girl was raped while she was drunk and photos of that went around. Everyone was told she was a slut and wanted it. She committed suicide. A straight A student too. Everyone(idiot teens) thought she deserved that. Grow up people. And don’t think it can’t happen to your offspring someday..or even to you. It can. When we tolerate this and think it is Ok–the line will cross in other places. Anyway nobody deserves to have the world laughing at them just for dressing too skimpy one day. This is nuts.