Wednesday, July 9, 2008

WalMart ain't no Garden of Eden

Every once in awhile I must stray from my more tame autobiographical account of my family life and go on a rant. Today's rant has a spiritual angle so you can feel uplifted while I vent.

In Genesis 3:10 Adam and Eve admit to hiding from the Lord and are embarrassed of their nakedness. I know we are lots of generations away from Adam and Eve, but why are some of us more embarrassed by our nakedness than others? This came to me while in a very long line at WalMart. I typically have lots of time to think deep thoughts at WalMart since the lines are always long. I probably could have solved the energy crisis and invented a new nuclear weapon with all the time I had yesterday, but I was having to clean up as Noelle destroyed the magazine rack. But a couple of people ahead of me was the most ghastly sight I have seen in awhile. A woman in a mesh halter top. The back was completely bare. The front had a lining over the important parts, but the rest was mesh. Mesh, I tell you! I thought mesh was only reserved for tents these days. Unfortunately for all of us in WalMart yesterday, I was wrong.

This bothered me on two counts. I had my boys with me and I don't like them to see half-naked women. My other issue is just one of social propriety. A grocery store is not a proper environment to wear your lingerie. I don't care if you are a size 22 or a 2, please cover your body in a public enclosed place! Do what you want in your yard or even on a hiking trail. But have some respect for the rest of us.

Maybe since a WalMart Supercenter carries everything else, this woman could have bought a 'coat of skins' to cover herself up in. She really wasn't wearing much more than fig leaves in the first place, but if God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden in skins it's good enough for me.

That is all. You don't have to read your scriptures today and please retire all mesh clothing items. Thank you.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Too true! I usually get around my frustration at half naked individuals in public places by commenting on Esther's loud remark, "Mom, that lady isn't modest." "No, she's not. She doesn't understand it is disrespectful." Too disrespectful on my part? Possibly, but it makes me feel good to know at least my daughter understands the importance of being modest.

The Allreds said...

We had a bad experience at WalMart yesterday too...
Garrett grabbed onto an end-cap and down went several contents, including something very breakable that shattered all over! Then as I was ringing up my groceries, my milk somehow punctured and white liquid was erupting everywhere. I had already rang it in so that forced me back to the BACK of the store for MORE milk. I was more than ready to get outta there. If it were Macey's some cute teller would have cleaned it for me and ran and got me more milk. I know I keep shopping at the WRONG store!
By the way I own a mesh swimsuit coverup. You better not go swimming with me or you'd have to bear mesh once again : )

cold cocoa said...

Thanks for the spiritual angle. Your poor boys. I'm surprised they didn't make loud obvious remarks! Either those people are further ahead on the road of body acceptance than we are or they just don't look in the mirror? Totally appropriate for Walmart though, sadly.

hOLLIANN said...

I am very sorry for your experience. However, I look fabulous in mesh...wanna come over and I can change your mind? ---Please note - I am kidding - my neighbor reamed me the other day for being sarcastic - it was only a matter of time!

TisforTonya said...

We had a lady speak at... hmmm, maybe it was stake conference, or women's conference - one of those recent events where she talked about modesty - and she liked to point out immodest wear on television by shouting "more clothes Lady" at anyone on the screen (even though they obviously couldn't hear her) until her 9 year old daughter repeated those very words LOUDLY as they were walking into Wal-Mart. Personally I applaud the effort - but hey, apparently Wal-Mart attracts lots of half-naked individuals!

Hmmm... this isn't your first blog vent about Wal-Mart :) I would say to switch shopping places but hey, I've had to boycott the Circus ever since Trev was a tot because the outfits were so indecent - there is no safe haven of modesty!

LC said...

I was just hoping to escape to a good read and here I found it... (Kate is freaking out about having to go to the dentist)

There are so many good lessons from the scriptures--hide if you're naked, for example.
How uncomfortable for everyone and their boys.

Megz said...

T---too true on my WalMart rants. I have boycotted them about oh, 875 times now, but I always have to go back because they are so dang convenient and cheap. And you know that my language is the language of the bottom line. One day when money is no object and gas is back to .99 a gallon I will boycott them permanently.
Oh and it's good to get Michelle in the discussion! yay for internet!

Sherie Christensen said...

Maybe you should go into la la land like me where you never really see or hear anyone -- except my own children who I mostly just don't take. I guess I do look around to see if people are noticing how cute my kids are. Cousin Daniel did get my attention at Walmart once but he was laughing at how many times he had to say my name first.

hOLLIANN said...

Megan - you have to check out the book ain't gonna paint no more - you will laugh really hard after the comment you left on my blog...or better yet, buy it at Walmart. I think it comes with a mesh dust cover!

DKAZ said...

Try tubing down the Salt River in July on a Saturday...at least it was in context.

Anonymous said...

First of all, Michelle is being 100% honest about her comment. 2nd of all--yesterday we were at the "Renaissance Fest" at the Park and we found it quite "huh humm." Apparently, the people that wanted to get dressed up thought it was called "Ladies of the Night Renaissance Fest." In addition to that, there were performances by a group called something like "Fa la Sha moo loo", the local belly dancing group which has several 250+ pounders, as well as a lady who is prego. So we ask ourselves, where does it end? Clearly not at Walmart, our park, or any other Family Friendly place. The places we get to go and feel safe are church and family reunion. Way to go Christensen Women!