Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Walmart...Read: Death Trap!

I hate Walmart. Only, I think that hate is not a strong enough word. Unfortunately, I also love Walmart because there are things that I can get there, that cannot be found elsewhere. The problem with Walmart is that Asians have no idea how to shop there. In fact, Walmart is the antithesis to Asian culture.

Walmart is known for it's "one stop shopping," read "efficient," read "should be quick and easy." As a point of reference, the only time Asians get in a hurry is when public transportation is involved. That is getting on a crowded bus, embarking/disembarking a plane, and boarding a train. At Walmart, and most other places, Asians are super slow and "sui bian" or "go with the flow/whatever."

When I go to Walmart, I have a plan. I know what I want to buy. If there is something that I don't know if Walmart sells and want to check, I plan for that as well. I think "hmm... where might that item be located?" I get an idea. I go. I glance. I find or I don't find. I keep moving. Asians do not plan when they go to Walmart. They go for the experience. They saunter. They look at everything. They don't keep moving.

In America, Walmart is huge. It's one level. And you could get lost. In Asia, at least at mine, Walmart is 2 levels. It is not huge. Can you see where I am going with this? 1.6 billion people sauntering, experiencing, looking, NOT MOVING, in just 2 small stories. It is a death trap.

One day, my friends, you will read the international news and this will be the headline, "American's Brain Explodes in East Asian Walmart"

How was that Brad B?