Just another step in the.......
 

so-called "wussification" of America. Today Walmart announced that starting Friday they will have "sensory friendly" hours from 8-10 AM when the lights will be lower, the radio off and the TV screens set to a static image. Are they kidding???? What individual or group made this complaint and why in the world would Walmart even give a second thought to listening to them, much less enacting such an idiotic policy.

Let's hope we never get into a real war. I can see it now: "Sargeant, would you please tell the enemy to cut it out---their bombs are too bright and too noisy. Also, you failed to designate which foxholes are free speech zones." We are in trouble.

you must be joking, Doc,...really??

And I thought it was Walmart that was joking.......

I don't shop WalMart

I don't see this as a problem. This is to accommodate people/children with Autism. It's no different than handicap ramps or gluten free menus for people with Celiac disease.

Really?? Walmart is experimenting with a new concept in an attempt to increase profit. If it works, it will stick, if not, they will move on to the next idea.

So why is that a problem? Isn't that what companies do?

I can only report the story, I can't understand it for anyone. If anyone can't understand the subtexts involved in these types of decisions, we truly are in trouble

I know how to have a sensory-sensitive shopping experience every time, and 24/7. Go to that big box store's website and order from that. See, no radio, no TV, no loud noises, no kids running around, no bright lights, no shiny floors or white walls or opening/closing doors, no whatever bothers you.

Problem solved, completely, cheaply, and without inconveniencing anyone else. Easy-peasy.

Sensory sense
 

Lower the lights. All the better for shoplifting.

Shouldn't you stick with being a global warming denier?

"We are in trouble."

Have been for some time.

Like Dad used to say whenever some fluff piece made the news: "Good times!". Meaning that if times were more challenging, such as having to bust your butt for the essentials of life, we'd not have time to pay attention to things like sensory-friendly shopping, safe spaces, 104 genders (according to my granddaughter, that was the count about five years ago--probably more now), offensive t-shirts/signs/whatevers, etc. etc. etc. Mom and Dad (probably can be said for most of us here) were products of the Great Depression and knew just how valuable it was to have a job and the security of knowing where your next meal was coming from. You paid attention to THAT, not to terminal airheadism.

I'm more than capable of multi-tasking:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

PS: I'm don't deny "global warming", its been going on for the last 20,000 years and cyclically many times before that. The "deniers" are those that are oblivious to the obvious truth--that 20,000 years of warming has nothing to do with driving your SUV.

Companies are always trying to find ways to attract customers and increase sales. Some are good and some fail (Target comes to mind) and they either profit or suffer the consequences. If you don’t like it don’t shop there.

Or cows

Don't worry, I never set foot in that place

Global Warming is the biggest scam foisted on the American public, since re-settlement of Indian tribes.

Even if it existed, the rest of the world couldn't possibly care any less.

As for Wal-Mart. Good for them. There's too much sensory overload in the world these days. I hope it helps sales and they keep it up. Not getting harassed by the AT&T Mobile booth, would be a huge plus. Oh wait, that's Sam's Club. I don't shop at Wal-Mart.

Blackrock ESG/DEI ...Get with the program, or else :)

The biggest scam foisted on earthlings is Central Banking....But, yeah.

Small Changes, Big Impact: Sensory-Friendly Hours Return

No big deal IMHO. Except for parents with kids with autism. Or teachers of them, etc.

A step in the right direction as far as I am concerned.
Background music, which usually consists of some caterwauling female screeching how much she loves me, or 30 tv's on different channels blasting away being turned off, will be a great improvement.
The lights I don't mind, bright or dim, I pretty much know where everything is located that we buy on our weekly shop.
Just keep your trolley to the side, and don't butt block the aisle as I blast past.
Thank you. :shrug:

Hmmmm.....Sensory deprivation to increase profits?

Of course, one of the most profitable businesses ever uses total sensory overload---Las Vegas casinos.

And no clocks anywhere.

Why Casinos Don't Have Clocks or Windows (Explained!) - FeelingVegas

Where is it stated that it is a problem????

Sorry I said I didn’t see it as a problem and I took your comment as a disagreement.

So our youngest is a Behavior Physiologist specifically high functioning autistic children, under age 8.

He also spearheaded after hours program for teens and young adults to slowly adjust them to navigate grocery and shopping. Two days a week their Walmart had 2 hours with low lights, no music, or electronics.

This was a college town with one of the top 3 autistic programs. No one seemed to mind the change in the store, some enjoyed the more quiet peaceful atmosphere. All hands on deck from the college, with their students, along with some parents, and family.

He said it was such a great honor, that Walmart recognized they could help further a better lifestyle for such a special group of people.

This program was started in early 2001, and continues with very little deviation today. So nothing new with this concept, but most have never lived in such a concentrated, community, with autistic multi age groups.

Thanks for the clarification. When I saw the news article and posted , I wasn't thinking of the autistic community or their families. My first response was simply "here we go again" with some inane cause such as global warming or free speech zones. But you are spot on with the assessment that lower stimulation is better for the autistic---my apologies. I wish the news snippet would have given the reason for these special hours.

What didn't you understand about my post?

In this day and age it all about making the 1 to 4 percent happy and the hail with rest. Until rest get feed up and shop with they wallet.

I’m clock watcher, maybe I should sue cause I am being deprived. :shrug:

That was nice post. It was nice of you to acknowledge that the Wal-Mart plan does have some benefits to those more likely to be affected by sensory overload.

Article written by Denise Malloy Deaderick, Senior Vice President and Chief Belonging Officer

Is that a real title?

Personally, I do not like Walmart's choice in musical entertainment. But, that's just me. Quiet is good, but I could not care less. As for a few that are having a problem with the store's environment, try to remember that you are in the minority. Why should the store (or anyone) feel the need to cater (coddle) a few? But, it it their business and like everyone else, if I don't like it I can order on line and either have it put in my car or have it delivered. Hey, if they are suffering from an illness, can't they do the same?
Oh my, I need to get my special needs dog suited up so I can go shopping.

Oh are we ever, and many (most ?) have no idea the direction we've been taking for a number of years now. It all converges; you make major but very gradual. incremental, changes in school and university curriculum, at the same time you gradually diminish the role of the parent for the "higher ground" of protecting the child, you wage a war on firearms making them the cause of all the increased violence and unrest, while at the same time gradually closing state and federal mental health hospitals, you slowly curb the manufacture of ammunition until the military is at critically low level, then lower the nation's oil reserves while focusing on the development of battery dependent tanks for battle, this list could go on forever. Most will spend their time accusing one or the other parties for all this, while 90% of the population has no ability to recognize patterns and relationships of all these incremental changes and the interrelationship of all these elements. We need to do as police detectives do, take a huge room and make a time line of all these incremental, "harmless" changes that all appear to have very noble goals ! Are we equipped for WWIII, no, not emotionally, socially, physically, or materially. I fear the "greatest generation" is no longer admired or honored. When I was in school, that was an important part of the interwoven total curriculum. American exceptionalism is now a badge of shame. Don't like to contemplate where this will end ?

That's true, but I doubt that is what the posting individual actually meant; that we should not accommodate the disabled. My interpretation was not as narrow a view, more like a comment to reflect how, as a total population, our very culture is changing. I "think" the poster was looking at the "big picture", not trying to indicate that an adult or child with Autism is not to be respected or accommodated. But, I might be wrong ! From a totally personal perspective, I would prefer no music, no overly dim or overly bright lights, etc. in any businesses (not talking about massage spas and such). I might consider going to WM to shop during the "lowered intensity" hours, I just don't believe the poster was attempting to say WM is "wrong" to have, or not have, music, etc. Wish the villages would take the hint and NOT blast their villages radio at the pools, but, on the other hand, many would not enjoy the relative quiet to be able to read, chat at lower decibels, even "nap" in the sun without WVLG. So, can't please us all all of the time !

Good analysis, thoughtful comment. I never took "advantage" of the so called "senior shopping hours" during the Covid panic, but if it worked for people, it sure did not keep me from going at other hours. It's all relative said Einstein... or so they say, LOL ! Who knows, people without disabilities may find they really enjoy the toned down atmosphere and shop those hours too causing WM to even increase the "lowered stimulation" hours even more ! ? Never can tell if you have a winning idea until you give it a trial. I just agree, apart from comments on disabilities and medical accommodations, that the general population is far LESS able to deal with such things than my parents and grandparents were.

I like all three of your posts and you are exactly right. Like I stated in my subsequent post, I didn't even think of those hours as being an attempt to accommodate the autistic community. I thought it was just another corporation appeasing some idiotic woke concept to lead us further down the path to destruction. Naturally, if their motivation was to help those individuals, I'm not against it at all---it's hardly an inconvenience to anyone else.

I’m calling BS.

People/children with autism don’t only shop at Walmart 800-1000am. Nonsense.

Please read post 26. It's not a perfect solution but it's a start.

:bigbow: