My wife and I are infrequent Walmart shoppers—at best estimation. But on Nov. 19, 2022, we ventured to the store in La Mesa, Calif., because eyedrops were in stock and priced considerably less than other retailers—whether local or online. We made the trip more meaningful by walking around the quaint downtown district and shopping at two bookstores, one stocking Christian reads (including Bibles) and the other tomes of all varieties; both shops sell new and used inventory.
Inside Walmart, I laughed at—and so had to take the Featured Image of—one of the displays. I can think of so many ways that this Dr. Seuss character is the wrong choice for promoting anything. He steals Christmas from Whoville. That said, some adults (and their kids) might delight in what they see as the good Grinch. No disrespect to them, but he wears a sinister grin.
With the exception of small businesses, retail really rates poorly for customer service—particularly since SARS-CoV-2(severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 mandates inflicted so much economic and societal misery. So I was surprised—no shocked—to find the Walmart bustling, not only with customers but employees, who while actually being busy (e.g., working) were available. The eyedrops were locked up, and when I pressed the call button someone appeared within 90 seconds to open the case. How many places have you been lately where you had to hunt down staffers, assuming any were available? Let me give a hat tip to Walmart.
Photo vitals, aperture manually set: f/4, ISO 100, 1/120 sec, 28mm; 10:51 a.m. PST; Leica Q2.