November 3rd, 2010
Linda
What a sad day for so many Americans who happen to be shopping at Walmart and are not dressed according to the “People of Walmart” dress code (“A Candid Look at the Characters of Walmart,” Oct. 20 Magazine).
It’s equally sad that Luke Wherry and Adam Kipple felt their college education was disposable and trashed it in favor of mocking, ridiculing and tormenting other people. Thankfully, Andrew Kipple has chosen to stay in law school.
I’ve gotten the “People of Walmart” e-mails in the past and no doubt I’ve laughed while scrolling through the strange and bizarre pictures. But then I read the PG’s article and decided to visit the website, and what I saw and read completely changed my attitude. Some of the pictures are indeed laugh-worthy, but if you read the “Hate Mail” link on the website you’ll quickly understand just how much these men are hurting people.
We’re teaching our children that making fun of others is actually a means by which to make a living. We talk about bullying that takes place in our schools and how reprehensible it is and how desperately we need to change the mindset of children to be more tolerant. Hmmm. How about what this website is promoting?
If you don’t think this is bullying, then I’ve got news for you … it most certainly is. It’s an adult form of bullying and it stinks. Come on, guys. Put your advanced degrees to work and make a living the old-fashioned way and stop advocating meanness.
Linda,
64 Comments, Comment or Ping
Wow, you say you love the site then trash it? What a friggin’ hypocrite. Get a life and a better sense of humor.
November 3rd, 2010
Linda, please do everyone else a favor and turn off your computer. Next throw it out a window. Get off you high horse. This website is hilarious and you are a stick in the mud!
November 3rd, 2010
Okay wait, when you see the 300 lb woman who is dressed in neon green spandex, going into Walmart, you cannot seriously believe that this woman thinks she looks okay. When you seen the man who looks as if he has rolled in the mud, and smells like it was something else he rolled in, you cannot seriously think that he thinks he looks okay.
I go into Walmart. I am just your average, every day person. I don’t care WHERE you are, if you dress and act like a fool, someone is going to look at you, think you are a fool, take a picture, and post it. You don’t like it, then stop dressing in neon green spandex that wouldn’t fit my 2 year old granddaughter!
November 3rd, 2010
“make a living the old fashioned way”?
A couple of guys come up with an idea, start a website. Website, a business, catches on with public, gains popularity through word of mouth. Business continues to grow, and eventually expands into new products (books, in this case.)
The guys obtain a level of success via their vision, in a free-market economy.
That IS making a living the old-fashioned way.
Sounds like you’ve had a change of heart, once a fan, now a detractor.
Congrats on your new found sense of moral outrage.
Now please go away.
November 3rd, 2010
The guys who run this website ARE making a living the old fashioned way.
damn, how much more “old fashioned way” can you get, than to start a small company (Website), and have it grow by word of mouth, until it becomes what it is today?
That’s the american dream, baby!
Sounds like you’ve a newfound sense of moral outrage, as you comment you used to think this was funny. You’re certainly entitled, as you’re also entitled to be a hypocrite.
I think you’re stretching it, more than a little, by stating this website bullies those who end up in it’s pages.
November 3rd, 2010
For Linda, the American dream is to live a life of sloth on welfare and once the obesity overtakes her ability to walk and breathe, to get on Medicaid and SSD for the scooter and oxygen.
She’s resentful that POWM has the nerve to document it.
November 3rd, 2010
Wal-Mart is the new “Main Street.” When you leave the house you gotta think you’re going to run into someone who might judge the way you look. Not that you are are fat or skinny or handicapped, it would be cruel and childish to make fun of that. But, we are ALL judged by first appearances and how we look out there on Main Street, at the gas station, on the bus or at Wal-Mart. So, dress appropriately or you might find yourself pictured online with folks you don’t know judging and writing their humorous takes on how you appear in public. Gotta go to Wal-Mart, later.
November 3rd, 2010
Bullies? If you don’t like it don’t look. these people deserve to be ridiculed. When you go out in public with your ass hanging out it is to be expected. And yes there is a unspoken standard by which we all measure each other to. Most people fall into the “normal” category, whether you like to admit it or not.
November 3rd, 2010
Here’s an idea. . . grow thicker skin! We bash on people considered to be bullies and coddle those whining about it. How about we smack the sh*t out of both of them. One for bullying and the other for being such a whine sack!
November 4th, 2010
Hey Linda, if anyone has the gall to go out in public dressed like they do in the POWM pictures, I’m sorry, they are clearing asking for ridicule. Some of these people are actually posing for their picture. They know what they are in for. If you are stupid ennough to go out in public “dressed for attention”, don’t get mad when you get the attention you are seeking.
November 4th, 2010
I would like to clarify the obvious misunderstanding about bullying. The reason people are upset about the kids being bullied in school is because it isn’t fair to them. The reason it is okay for POWM to make fun of the degenerates found in Wal-Mart is because they aren’t actually people and don’t have feelings. Hope that helps.
November 4th, 2010
Hypocrite.
November 5th, 2010
linda your a no fun cunt!
November 6th, 2010
Linda if i were you i’d worry more about the television ads that think it’s ok to advertise viagra, ky intense and other sexually related paraphanellia. Seriously, does anyone else really want to know grandma gets freaky with her vibrating touch? That would scar any child in my opinion.
Not to mention quizno’s obsession with advertising with rats, seal, and kittens. Can someone tell me what those animals have to do with toasted subs?
November 7th, 2010
Some of the comments by the viewers can be harsh, But I wouldn’t consider posting the pictures as bullying. To be honest, the one thing I like about Walmart is, I don’t have to change out of my smelly house cleaning clothes to run up and get something. I worry that my picture will be on here some day. And if and when it is posted, I will feel very embarrassed and deserving of the funny comments under the photo. When I am too lazy to change my clothes, I hope I don’t see anybody I know. But it’s MY fault if I get caught. Some of these people need to know they look funny, but I bet most of them already know and like themselves just the way they are. They share their look, therefore they want to be noticed.
November 10th, 2010
So let’s assume the definition of “Bully” according to http://www.dictionary.com is correct where it says:
-noun “a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.”
-verb “to act the bully toward; intimidate; domineer.”
-synonyms “cow, browbeat, coerce, terrorize, tyrannize”
How exactly does PoWM coerce or terrorize these people, not to mention the sheer lack of intimidation or domination.
Simply stating the obvious – color or lack of clothing, interesting/disturbing hair-styles, or irregular activities withing the store do not a bully make.
Please go back to school and get yourself a college degree before you start bashing these brilliant entrepreneurs. If by chance you do have a collegiate level degree, congratulations on wasting 4+ years of your life because your little “rant” shows little in the way of formal education.
November 10th, 2010
If it were up to me these assholes/psychos that are displayed on here would be put into the stocks in the town center for:
1)Lacking self discipline by being obese
a)riding in the fat and lazy motorized carts
b)getting in people’s way with said carts
2)Cutting in line
3)Having illegitimate, unruly children
4)Defacing public property
Honestly I could go on all day. My point is we laugh at these people because all of us can relate and if you can relate to a Walcreature clear across the country then it’s even funnier. If they don’t want to me ridiculed then they shouldn’t stand out and/or act like jackasses.
November 11th, 2010
yes this website is bullying in a way. Here are the reason it is not. First most of the people on here r unidentified except for the state. Second the people they pick on on here r “adults” (I use that loosely). Third most of these people wouldn’t be dressed the way they r if they didn’t want attention when u dress for attention u don’t get to pick the kind of attention u get. Trust me when I make my middle of the night run to walmart in my pj’s I half expect to get busted on here at some time luckily haven’t been yet
November 11th, 2010
ppl that are actually stepping into walmart looking this stupid should get a reality ck like this one! how proper is it for ppl to walk into walmart have naked knowing theres children around! its disgusting and they should be exposed this way!!!
November 11th, 2010
excuse me i meant HALF NAKED!
November 11th, 2010
The idiots on this site who are barely dressed, wearing profane shirts, are filthy (and likely smell very bad), and/or are displaying terrible parenting skills are the REAL bullies here. They are subjecting everyone around them, including children, to their disgusting, ABNORMAL lifestyle. Who the hell asked for that? Who goes into a store WANTING to be offended by such nasty f*cks??? These asswipes NEED to be called out on their offenses! It’s about time that people everywhere started to stand up for DECENCY. This kind of sh*t is NOT acceptable; and I’m glad that this website exists for us to expose these idiots as the offensive pieces of garbage that they are.
Sorry, Linda, but the “people” you are portraying as the victims here are really the bullies. We, the general public, are offended and sickened by it. Get it right.
November 12th, 2010
the fact that you actually took the time to write this is kinda weird. and the people deserve it, it teaches them a lesson, think about what you wear to walmart. im just happy that the majority of these arent from Arkansas
November 15th, 2010
To the author that is law school still, people have banned from the bar license for less.
November 16th, 2010
What a bunch of dumbasses! She never said she loved the website, she said she’s laughed at some of the pics, rightly so. But she didn’t trash anyone to releive some itch that she was afraid to itch in someones face! She can look and laugh like the rest of us and still give her opinion that some of it goes too far and is more wrongly judgemental than truly funny. An opinion is evryones right! If you dont like it shut off your own damn computers and go make fun of someone to their face and see how rght, just, and funny you are then! Then we’ll look you up online and laugh at you too, just like we do everyone else. I still like PoWM, but I think I laugh harder at te hate mail, whew fun stuff.
November 16th, 2010
I read the article hyperlinked in the hate mail. Wow, the creators of this site are almost as fat as the Walcreatures they mock.
November 17th, 2010
Seriously, if someone’s self-esteem is so low as to be torpedoed by one of these pictures, they have far more problems than can be garnered from one website.
Don’t want to be made fun of? Don’t look like a freakshow-fool in public.
November 17th, 2010
I find it interesting that Linda brings up some valid points and you all jump all over her like a pack of rabid puppies.
80% of the pictures aren’t funny. I gave up looking at this site months ago because they post stuff like a picture of a guy in a ski suit in Colorado and I’m supposed to think it’s HI-larious!! It’s not hilarious, I live in Colorado, I’ve seen it a million times … so at least it could be fresh stuff. I also wonder why seeing people in flannel or too-tight pants is funny. Is it? I guess I’m too old and have seen too many people in flannel to laugh.
Yeah, some of the people are dressed like crazy lunatics and obviously want to be noticed … I don’t care about that, but that’s like 20 pictures. The rest? Well, I see a lot of people going to/coming home from work, maybe they’re sick and they really didn’t care about putting on something other than PJ pants to go to the Pharmacy.
Morally .. yeah, it’s wrong. You all are bullying the folks in a good majority of these photos – really dull, boring photos – and if you’re a Christian you can just keep on doin’ it, it ain’t me or Linda that’s gonna judge ya.
And … lol … yeah, I guess they are making an “honest” living, just like Larry Flynt or the “Girls Gone Wild” guys make an “honest” living … they don’t even do any real work, they let all you schmucks take the photos and comment.
November 19th, 2010
i am pretty sure some of the creatures featured here have made $$$ the old fashioned way…as in the oldest profession in the world
i wish i had been briliant enough to come up with this website before they did
i heart peopleofwalmart.com
November 21st, 2010
Bulling ???? are you kidding me….and you ask what are we teaching our children with this web site. First of all I wouldn’t let my child look at this web site. People seem to blame web sites for teaching our children bad things. I blame bad parenting for it. When you don’t know what your child is doing when online you can blame anyone but yourself. If you don’t want them to see it make sure they don’t.
November 21st, 2010
Please. This woman is like the person who stops traffic to look at a car wreck but honks at the guy in front of her for doing the same. I have laughed at some of these pictures till I cry.Being as I work fulltime, and attend college fulltime, A really good laugh is hard to come by. Furthermore, there are people who I go to school with who make bets and lose or are dared to go to Wally World dressed this way on purpose So, keep up the good work of suppling us all with a good laugh. And Linda, go in the bathroom, pull the big stick out of your ass, and you will feel alot better
November 22nd, 2010
Rabie puppies ? sounds pretty scary too,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
November 22nd, 2010
Considering the fact that this site isn’t exactly a small, unknown thing it seems to me that most of the people pictured should already be aware that their horrible choices in clothing and displays of bad parenting skills in WalMart might some day be shown here. If they didn’t want to be seen they wouldn’t go out in public. So stop your whining already and just don’t look at the site if you think it is so inappropriate. Coming on here whining about how horrible it is just gives them one more hit that they can use to help sell more ad-space and therefore get more money. Which means you are helping it grow….bravo.
And the bully thing.. what happened to “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt”? Bullying used to be called character building. Now we coddle our kids to the point of creating a bunch of helpless retards who don’t want to put in the effort to graduate high school because mommy and daddy will just take care of them anyway. They’re the downfall of society. Teach your kids to suck it the hell up and not worry about whether or not some kid thinks they’re fat or have ugly hair. Or better yet, just don’t have kids so there won’t be as much stupidity in the world.
November 23rd, 2010
I have to agree here. Yeah, these people dress different, or in clothes that are too small or have crazy hair. That’s who they are. I see these people at walmart, and I do think “What are they thinking?” But I would NEVER post pictures of them on the internet. How would you feel if you found yourself on this website? I’m sure most of you just think it’s funny because it boosts your self esteem. I’m sure on some days when I run out to walmart someone would want to snap my picture because I’m not in trendy clothes, or my hair isn’t done. What gives you the right? I hope these people stumble upon this site, see a picture of themselves and sue you for everything you are worth, that’s what you deserve.
November 24th, 2010
These people obviously don’t care that people are laughing at them, so why should you?
November 27th, 2010
this web site has nothing to do with bullying. im not rich i don’t ware designer cloths but for god sake i would never ever go to walmart or any public place for that matter dressed in the fashion that some people here do. and if by some chance i did and i found my self here well then i would assume it was coming to me for not using my gray mater.
and this site is not teaching children any thing at the end of the day the only people that can be blamed for there childs behavior is you guessed it the parents. there the ones responsible for there childs upbringing not the rest of the world. it really gets me when parents start blaming music tv movies the internet games or media in general when there the only ones to blame.
November 29th, 2010
Just a reminder to the one in law school, just because they let you into the school doesn’t mean they’ll accept you into the bar. Your antics on here will probably be used against you. Or did you forget the stuff about professional responsibility?
December 1st, 2010
I’ve read the hate mail and I still love this site.
The people whining hurt feelings are still stuck in an ABC after school special (or Glee). It makes great fiction but it’s NOT reality. Feelings get hurt and I’m not inclined to walk around on eggshells because Mr and Mrs. Lookatme!, got their feelings hurt.
If you dress for attention and get it, you can complain, but don’t expect me to care.
December 3rd, 2010
Wait, so now you’re saying that it’s ok for an 80 year old man to put on a spanish skirt, wear a tank top, and wear hot pink flip flops?
December 3rd, 2010
I hate this website. It’s complete garbage. It amazes me how hateful people really are deep down inside. Making fun of fat people that they do not know, making fun of women and men with really long hair (seen at least four photos doing such), and picking people apart over every little thing. Their age, their clothes, shoes, bags, ANYTHING. It’s terrible!
They only say this stuff because they are behind the comfort of their computer. They are weaklings, who are BULLIES. The world does not revolve around them and their “standards” of beauty. Some of them even go as far as to say that those people in the pictures deserved to be bullied.
It will catch up to them some day. What goes around, comes around. You reap what you sow.
December 6th, 2010
Linda you are a smug, self-righteous hypocrite! You admit to having laughed at the photos and then condemn everyone else for laughing at the photos! How dare you! The people in these photos who have outlandish hairstyles and vulgar words printed on their t-shirts (in plain view of little kids) do so to get attention. Well, this site gives them that attention. So shut the f@@k up!
December 8th, 2010
Linda,
It also hurts to have your photo snapped in Walmart against your will at a very inappropriate time, most likely due to the mindset that it is okay to photograph anything that “looks funny” inside of Walmart.
Here’s a little of my experience: http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/?p=16799#comments
That happened too long ago for me to supposedly be bothered by it, but it still distraughts me today.
December 9th, 2010
Sounds like Linda is just jealous. Jealous that these guys are intelligent enough to create and market a website AND turn a profit while doing it. I’m sorry that you are so offended by the content of this website. Wait, no I’m not. If you don’t like what you see then block the website and never return.
December 11th, 2010
Oooooh boy. I’ve read through all the comments so far, and let me just say, this whole “issue” is kind of a joke. I mean, seriously? You guys are gonna sit there and piss and moan over people pointing out that a lot of other people go to public places looking… well… stupid? Where in the world were you 15 years ago when I was getting my hair pulled out by the roots and my face pounded against the school brick wall… y’know, *real* bullying? I’m so sick of people nowadays crying over someone pointing at them and calling them a pooh-face. This is the result of several decades of us telling our children that they’re all “unique” and “special” without them even earning those titles… so the first time someone comes along who disagrees that they’re the most *awesome* person ever, these fools have to scream and pout and cry “bully”.
For the record, if someone comes across themselves in one of these pictures and asks the picture to be taken down, the owners of the site happily oblige. Hardly the behavior of evil, terrible, awful assholes.
And no, I don’t like to have to take my toddler on a quick errand in public, only to have her subjected to a bunch of morons with their asses hanging out of their pants or their bras on outside their shirts… if they’re even WEARING shirts. It’s disgusting and I’m sick of it. I’m not raising a Future Porn Star of America here… she’s going to be a lady, dammit.
Lastly, pointing out when others break societal norms is not stupid or mean… it’s ingrained in our society as a survival trait. Look at it this way: If you saw a gang of high school boys mugging an old lady, would you walk away with a smile and a wistful thought of, “Oh boy, those teenagers sure are BEING THEMSELVES”? If you had a sliver of a conscience, the answer is hell no! Even though this is an extreme example, at the basic level, it’s just showing how we’re SUPPOSED to react when someone breaks the societal norm. Think I’m full of it? Go sign up for a semester of Sociology at your local Community College.
By all means, wear what makes you feel “unique”. I don’t care if you’re goth or preppy or just plain colorfully weird. But for heaven’s sake, do it tastefully. And no, wearing Spandex so tight I can see the cellulite on your ass from 45 feet away is not “tasteful”. Doing it in a way that makes the rest of the universe uncomfortable and then expecting the whole world to just accept you because you’re, like, soooooo special, makes YOU look like a total a-hole, not the people who point out your lack of sensibility.
And yes, I HAVE pointed out to people’s faces that they look/act completely trashy and are an embarrassment to themselves. The most common reaction is actual surprise (as in, “What? You mean you don’t WANT to see my nipples??”).
December 13th, 2010
Linda is right. This site is funny, but after reading Lindas letter, I realized that this really is a terrible thing for children to be looking at. They llearn to make fun of people and laugh at other people’s misfortune, failings, and even mental disabilities. This teaches people to make fun of people because they are less educated, intelligent, as well as people who are just extremely unattractive. Kids already dont learn to respect people any more as it is, and each generation is becoming more self centered. People can go on this site and say “ha, im so much better than these freaks”. Pretty brutal
December 18th, 2010
You may be teaching your children that but I, however, do NOT allow my children to visit this site. I screen and protect all internet use of my children. Therefore, I, as an adult, can enjoy the humor of this site without teaching my children to be mean. I have often wondered if this site should somewhat be revealed to my children to teach them respect for themselves and others who are forced to look at them in public though. I’m guessing these are things you do not teach your children?
December 22nd, 2010
You don’t have to lecture “us children” about bullying. Okay, some of the comments are harsh, but if you are going to go to walmart dressed like a total idiot, you are going to get attention!
December 26th, 2010
Perhaps this site will actually serve as an example of how NOT to dress or behave in public, both to our children and to the inbreds who currently believe wearing fishnets and crop tops to the store is considered acceptable. And you have admitted to laughing at such photos in the past, what brought on this sudden epiphany? Get off your moral highhorse.
December 28th, 2010
All of us, when encountering those dressed in such revealing or outlandish fashion either snicker secretly or attempt to hide our disgust. To try and deny that at the very least we’re thinking that girl in the tank top and booty shorts with all her glory hanging out is a skank is simply hypocrisy.
December 28th, 2010
Linda’s post is offensive to those who are truly being bullied.
January 1st, 2011
Who is WE…? WE are trying to change our kids’ mindset… WE are trying to get children to be more tolerant… Who is WE? I am a parent, and I think nothing of the sort. I think people like these are literal TRASH, littering our planet and halting evolution. My children are learning what NOT to do. Here are people who contribute nothing to the planet – they are self imposed outcasts. My only criticism to the people who operate this site is this: these idiots dress/act the way they do to attract attention to themselves – all you’ve done is given them the exposure they crave! But, since I’m having a great time watching you do it, I guess everybody wins! So no harm done! Linda, chill out…
January 2nd, 2011
What is such a sanctimonious snob doing on this website anyway, much less adding a comment? I mean, seriously, what? Everyone has every right to laugh at something we find funny, and it seems that Linda is trying to bully everyone using a pretense of shame to deny us that right. I wonder if Linda would let her kids dress in Daisy Dukes, crop-tops, thigh-high patterned leggings and bowling shoes, topped off with a mullet? Does Linda let her kids drag around on the floor behind the cart? I doubt it. Or, at least, I hope not.
January 4th, 2011
Linda,
You laughed at the pictures that were emailed to you… but now find it distasetful… Did you see a picture of yourself and get your feelings hurt? Were you the one with the pee bag? Poop-stained pants? Wrong size pants? Without pants? Come on tell us which one was you!
January 8th, 2011
Ok, let’s break this down. For starters, this is not teaching a child bullying if you do not allow your child access to this website. If you do, that is a clear sign of poor decision making as a parent. Secondly, I don’t know what kind of everybody is the same and we all get trophies for first place world you’re living in, but we’re not all the same. In fact, it is a very cynical world that treats those that do not have the wherewithal to dress themselves and act properly in public with a certain level of disdain and ridicule. I, for one, have on several occasions pointed out the overly tattooed, gaged eared, bull ring through the nose, sideshow freaks for what they are. One does not do these things to themselves without expecting some sort of response. That is, by definition, merely pointing out the obvious–a far cry from bullying. If you cannot move past your own short sightedness to understand that you are wrong, I suggest you step out of your gated community and live amongst rest of the world. Then you too will see some people simply ask to be made an example of.
January 10th, 2011
If anything, it teaches children that going out in public in your bathing suit, with your ass hanging out of your pants or wearing clothing inappropriate to your size makes you look ridiculous and that you will get ridiculed.
To bad, so sad.
January 24th, 2011
Linda please get a sense of humor its a joke calm down………. Dont go all crazy on everybody seriously..
March 10th, 2011
You can make a living making fun of people? SWEET! Hope those guys write a how to book.
March 16th, 2011
WHAt if the people who make this website are woman huh go make fun of other women callin them ladies
March 18th, 2011
Hmmm…. her correct grammer, spelling, logical flow compel me…
But she forgot to say KARMA’S A BITCH
March 23rd, 2011
Wow. Really? It’s a website about people who go to Wal-Mart. All of you need to get over it.
May 1st, 2011
I’m honestly torn between laughing my ass off at these pictures, and feeling guilty because the truth IS some of the these people ARE too depressed to even look in the mirror to ensure they look “appropriate” before leaving their homes. This, I don’t find funny. However, I still can’t wrap my mind around leaving your home dressed like the hamburgler. ‘Nuff said.
May 8th, 2011
@ Michigan Bar: Why would the website be used against him when he went to take the bar exam? He’s not doing anything wrong with this website.
May 25th, 2011
@Linda: “We’re teaching our children that making fun of others is actually a means by which to make a living.”
So, Linda, you disapprove of comedians. All of them. Right? Because I’d be darned if they aren’t out there to earn a living making fun of others.
Yes, Linda, so is life, that you can make a living by making fun of others, and it’s OK. Bullies can be comedians, too, but the opposite is not necessarily true. Get your implication arrow pointing the right way, please.
July 9th, 2011
We gotta get rid of SNL now! It makes fun of people!
ZoMg ItZ LYk T3h D3vIlL!l!!!!!11!!11!
July 25th, 2011
IF YOU DON’T WANT YOUR PICTURE TAKEN IN WALMART, DON’T DRESS STUPID AT WALMART! IT’S PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
January 29th, 2012
Reply to “Linda”