http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/07/23/walmart.singles.ap/index.html
This is just bizarre. Wal-Mart had what I think was a pretty clever and decent idea, so of course they killed it. :roll:
–James
I think if you’re going to “flirting sections” in Wal-Mart you might as well have a sign around your neck that says “loser.”
Heh heh heh… you’re probably right about that!
I do agree with Jim’s broader point about Wal-Mart getting rid of anything good, though. Seems to have been their corporate policy for the past decade or more.
Ugh. Did you mean that to sound like elitest West Coast snobbery? I hope not. Among people who have nothing in particular “wrong” with them except where they were born and raised, Wal-Mart is (or may seem like) a reasonably diverting place to hang out.
Quoting the story:
“I’m disappointed,” said Firebaugh, 63. “Where can someone over 40 who doesn’t smoke or drink or go to bars meet someone?”
M
“I’m disappointed,” said Firebaugh, 63. “Where can someone over 40 who doesn’t smoke or drink or go to bars meet someone?”
If you don’t smoke or drink, why bother? 
djm
It’s not “elitist West Coast snobbery,” whatever that is; it’s just common sense. I’m not saying that you can’t meet Mr. or Mrs. right at Wal-Mart, but to go to “flirting sections” in hopes of meeting someone indicates that your life’s movements could be dull and self-absorbed. If you want to meet someone it’s best if it’s in context with your life, who you are and your social activities. Most people I know that have successful long-term relationships weren’t “looking” when they met.
As for smoking and drinking – here in CA you can’t smoke in the pub, and no one forces you to drink alcohol. Many of my friends have met their significant others at our local sessions and such. If you don’t play in Irish sessions there might be other related musical events that C&Fers might enjoy and stumble onto someone enticing. The odds of meeting someone interesting and with mutual interests beyond just “meeting someone” at a Wal-Mart flirting section seems kind of slim to me though.
Also, for someone like me it wouldn’t work very well. The minute I showed up anywhere near one of the flirting sections everyone would evacuate. I just hope they stock those sections with interesting merchandise.
“I’m disappointed,” said Firebaugh, 63. “Where can someone over 40 who doesn’t smoke or drink or go to bars meet someone?”
My perception of most Wal-Mart denizens, at least here, is that they are there only between bouts of drinking and smoking in bars . . .
Target might be more appropriate . . .
I know a lady who had great success flirting in Petsmart, but you have to own a dog for that to work. Budgies don’t seem to be sexually inspiring . . .
There is no one, where I live, who doesn’t shop at Wal-Mart. The only Targets or Kmarts are in the Tulsa area, which is two counties away. Wal-Mart has been in the community for well over 30 years, and as long been the only full-service retailer around.
It could be the beard…
Slan,
D.
You don’t have to go to flirting sections in Wal-Mart to be a loser with a big beard and ridiculous mustache though.
… just can’t get no…
Slan,
D.
Hmm…I can just imagine the radio/teevee commercials. They already “profile” success stories; people who start as “associates” and work their way all the way up to “assistant Managers.”
They want to put that Neil Clark Warren outta business…
As for the final question about where to meet people who don’t drink or smoke, they might try church. The social hour after services are pretty nice occassions.
This answer perhaps serves for some, but there should be other ways to make new friends and form new relationships.
My own experience with church-formed friendships has been pretty negative; they are your friend for just as long as you are active in their church. That’s not real friendship, that’s a form of prostitution.
–James
Did Wal-Mart operate a buy one get one free option? Perhaps the complaints came from those labelled as past their sell by date?
peeplj wrote
My own experience with church-formed friendships has been pretty negative; they are your friend for just as long as you are active in their church. That’s not real friendship, that’s a form of prostitution.
This comparison is a tad extreme perhaps, unless they paid you to go to church?
Wal-Mart makes me uncomfortable on so many levels.
I’ll grant you my choice of words was not the most tactful I’ve ever employed. However, I think the comparison holds: no, they don’t pay you money; but they do pay you in ways that many consider more valuable than money.
Want to find out if I’m right or not?
Just try leaving a church and see how long your “friendships” last.
–James
Way to go James! I hope I haven’t been a bad influence on you 
Also, in my experience, most church people are rather close minded, seeing their vision of life as the only worthy one, but I might just have had bad experiences.
You and me both.
There do seem to be folks who thrive in that environment–I’ve just never been one of them.
–James
Then it would make sense for like minded people to meet there.