The idea of a commercial space aping the design of a city is somewhat familiar when it comes to the suburban shopping mall. Malls were famously designed after urban downtowns or shopping districts. The big-box discount store, on the other hand—with its exposed steel ceiling, utter lack of ornamentation and warehouse atmosphere—makes no pretensions. So it is striking that even in such a utilitarian setting, and such a quintessentially suburban one, the old urban DNA still survives.
This is a much better comparison than I was expecting. I am surprised they didn't say anything about the walmart greeters (I guess maybe these aren't really a thing anymore?)
Like, "Sure it's an alienating hellscape out there and most of the people you're sharing the store with would run you down if you take too long to cross from the entrance to the parking lot. But once you're inside you have a friend who is (being paid minimum wage to pretend to be) happy to see you and you can have a moment of human interaction, remember that?"
No real point, just seems to fit the premise well
when walmart bought asda they brought the concept of greeters to my shit town
we have dour customer facing people even by british standards, cos you know, they live in this hell hole so of course they're miserable
so seeing the big american style fake smiles and cheerfulness from someone making minimum wage standing outside the supermarket all day was really fucking weird lol
Greeters definitely are a thing here in Ontario Wal-Marts. And I'm pretty sure they're going to be doubled as anti-theft soon enough as well, if they're not already. Although they're usually super-old people doing it as of right now. I think they check receipts occasionally though.
Yeah, they're just "security" where I've lived. Just harass you if you walk out with a full cart or decide to opt for no bags.
I think they're gone in northeast American, but it's also possible I don't notice them because I rush through the store as fast as possible trying not to talk to anyone when I end up at Walmarts.
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