People's grocery carts at Wal-Mart!
Not that it's any of my business but my mom and I always end up checking out what other people have in their grocery carts...and today, I saw this cart...good lordy. They had like 20 mini pies, about 5 boxes of Dr. Pepper, super sugary cereals, cartons of ice cream and everything!! Their was 2 little kids with them :( It's terrible...that family is one of many who is going to pass on obesity to the next generation.
I just wanted to go up to these people and talk some sense into them, they were all very heavy too, including the children.
Do you ever find yourself checking out other people's grocery carts?
I know it sounds nosey but I'm just a nosey person, I can't help it. :(
Original Post by jenningermany:
Original Post by sleepydumpling:
So what judgements do you make when you see a thin person with a cart full of unhealthy food? Are you as critical of them as you are of an overweight person with the same types of food in their shopping cart?
Oooooo. She must have gotten dumped today because her boobs aren't big enough.
*I have fear that my husband doesn't like my smaller boobs even though he says he loves 'em.*
Power to smaller boobs! But...I prefer guys to not have a 6pack unlike most girls, I actually like guys a little more chubby like a teddy bear haha =) So, it's the same thing with guys! Most guys prefer bigger boobs, but some don't, and prefer the smaller type.
I would guess that kind of bulk is for a party.... Some party tho, eh?
I'm more worried about myself, and the things in my cart. I guess I shouldn't be though. Our stuff isn't all that bad. When I'm on my own it'll be even better.
Original Post by laura916:
Yes.
You realize the OP is 16 right? A bit harsh maybe.
We all judge as nice as we pretend to be. I have to catch myself at times. At least she is honest about it.
OP, best wishes with a healthy lifestyle. 
<3
I look and ask if something catches my eye if it's good and if I can look at it. I'm checking sodium mostly.
so you do realize that they could be shopping for a party right? to me it sound like a dessert bar at a super bowl party. Maybe they did their real shopping for " real" meals before?
Canned or frozen has the same nutrition (no salt added kind) and for some things I make canned works better. Some times they are even better then fresh since they are packed at peek may what to look it up.
I'm surprised how many people here are anti-looking-into-other-people's-carts. People-watching is a time-honored pastime in any public place, and I think that sneaking a look or two into what other people are getting at the grocery store certainly falls into that category.
Although I admittedly do this with more curiosity than judgment. At Whole Foods, I sometimes play "Are they a vegetarian? Or a vegan?" Sometimes I wonder what they're planning on cooking that night with the ingredients they're buying. Or wonder how they like to eat certain foods, and when. After all, I have been known to put a carton of ice cream in my cart along with the healthier stuff, so I can't judge people too harshly!
Original Post by caprette:
I'm surprised how many people here are anti-looking-into-other-people's-carts. People-watching is a time-honored pastime in any public place, and I think that sneaking a look or two into what other people are getting at the grocery store certainly falls into that category.
Although I admittedly do this with more curiosity than judgment. At Whole Foods, I sometimes play "Are they a vegetarian? Or a vegan?" Sometimes I wonder what they're planning on cooking that night with the ingredients they're buying. Or wonder how they like to eat certain foods, and when. After all, I have been known to put a carton of ice cream in my cart along with the healthier stuff, so I can't judge people too harshly!
Same here :P I love watching people, fascinates me...lol. I love when I'm driving also to look at people's license plates and say they're from Texas...I like to look and see if they actually look like they're from Texas. Like once, I saw this license place from Texas and it was a lady and a man and they both had cowboy hats on!!! I laughed so hard...
To the OP... so, what thoughts race through your mind when you see an overweight person who's cart is filled with foods that you consider healthy food (like your vegetables, or your un-canned corn)?? Would you think "yay! they're trying to be healthy"... or would you judge them and think "hmph, they must be doing something wrong"?
I find it disheartening when I hear you say that someone's diet choice is "pathetic" simply based upon what is in their grocery cart, especially considering you have no idea where this food is going. Perhaps they were hosting a party, buying for a church get-together or donating to a foodbank b/c Walmart food is cheap... And even if the food was for them, I'm sure they realize that their diet may not be the healthiest but that's their personal choice. As human beings we all deserve the constitutional rights of autonomy, dignity and respect... the right to make our own decisions, and to be free from judgment when we do. My suggestion is that you keep your eyes on your own cart, and keep your negative thoughts in-check... they are teetering dangerously into the realm of prejudice against individuals whom you have no knowledge of.
Sadly, it is this type of stereotyping that is becoming increasingly ingrained into the background of society. And it is this stereotyping that is creating negativity and tension between peoples of different social, cultural, ethnic and economical classes. We shouldn't be concerned with the items within a person's shopping cart, but concerned with the people themselves. The way you've phrased this post, it seems almost as if you are making jest and finding the fact that they have a cart full of "unhealthy" foods humorous. It is really untoward to laugh at peoples' choices, whether they be good or bad, and it doesn't seem as though you're trying to understand them... rather, it seems you are trying to push your personal bias onto other people by posting your topic in this manner.
I do check out other people's carts all the time. However, just four months ago my cart would look exactly like that. It sucks know that I was probably judged for what I was eating, by someone like you.
I am becoming increasingly thankful by the day that I have pretty thick skin. I couldn't give a rats @SS what others think about my shopping cart. I suppose I am just one of those rare people who could do any matter of embarrassing/ stupid thing, and keep moving on with my life. People can judge me for whatever they want (I'm sure they do) but it is 100% truly so not crucial to me. If my cart ever gave anyone something to laugh @, then it is what it is. At least it gave them some momentary distraction from life. I doubt they remember me now. Its not that serious. And keep in mind the OP is 16 guys. Tryin to make it all deep and stuff. Good night and Geaux Saints!!!!!!!
I love to people watch too. I don't like to and I consciously avoid people-judging, though.
I didn't realize the OP was 16, I only saw her pics, she appeared much older. I'm sorry if I said anything mean, although it was not directed at the OP, but more so at judgmental folks. Either way, I felt guilty... so... 
I love watching other people's carts. Mostly because I'm curious, and sitting in the lane is BOOOORING. You have to look at something. I try not to judge. People eating junk doesn't phase me, but I do something catch myself judging people buying cheap liqour in bulk, and they look like drunkards....
Anyways, the most important to me is MY cart. Usually I have a mental checklist of buying stuff, but I often get attracted by some deal. Sometimes I start and all I buy is 80% sweets because I'd already bought my bulk other things in cheaper supermarkets when I drive. So I look in my cart and see soo many sweets... I take most of them back, so I have a better good/bad stuff ratio before going to the check out.
Other times I go so crazy in the fridge/fresh zones, all I have are vegetables (like 6-7 types), fruit (several kinds), organic low fat dairy (yoghurt, milk, cheese), lean cuts of beef and chicken breast, and 10 pound packets of steel cut oats (all the family eats this for breakfast). I OFTEN get looks when it's super healthy. People giving me a condescending smile, and even comments like: soooo, is nofat yoghurt any good? Or "why do you want to lose weight, you look fine" (WTF, I maintain thank you very much, you can maintain on healthy stuff)
i too love to people watch. i would say it's one of my top five hobbies. ;) not because i'm nosy or judgmental, i just think people are fascinating. i look at other people's stuff as they check out and try to imagine what kind of lives they live. for example, do they have kids? what age? are they married? in a love relationship at the moment? do they enjoy baking? do they like to eat while they're watching tv? breakfast person? on one of those ridiculous low fat or low carb diets? do they avoid hydrogenated oils or go for unprocessed or organic? what's their income like? how much time do they have? vegetarian? vegan? kosher? diabetic? total meat freak? are they into football? like to party? athletic? duh, i keep in mind that what they're buying may not actually be for themselves, and of course there are tons of reasons they may be buying this stuff that i don't know about, so i don't judge, it's just my fun little hobby. i also like writing fiction so it's kind of like doing that in my head. no judging.
I don't consciously do it, but sometimes when I'm bored in line I'll check other carts out, but I don't put much thought to it. If they have something that looks good then I'll want it, I don't really correlate the buyer with the items. But I am an avid people-watcher. I enjoy that. As far as carts go though, I don't pay much mind. I don't really notice if people are peeking in mine either.
Also I use self-checkout so that may have something to do with it. Sure I'll look at what the people in front of me are buying (when we have to use regular lanes), but I can't really say I judge them for that. It's more of a 'how could they buy that, it's gross' type of reaction (when people buy a food I don't particularly like) than an 'ew, that must be why they're fat' reaction.
On a side note, I feel some animosity here. Kind of intense...
I work in a Wal-Mart.
I once had a 200+ pound woman, sitting in one of the motor-carts mind you, fight me over an apple pie, bacon and Kool-Aid. She had already spent $200 on crap food, and then had a huge debate with me over whether or not she wanted to purchase those 3 things. She told me to "Stop ringing when I got to the Kool-Aid." She had those 3 things stacked together. So I rang 'em up. She started screaming about how she didn't want the pie/bacon. I voided 'em off. Then she just kept going on about how stupid I was and reiterating the fact that she didn't really need three pies and three racks of bacon, she only needed two. I bit my lip and said nothing. She then insisted on talking to my manager (who was 10 ft away, laughing her butt off at this crazy woman) because I was a "skinny white girl with no respect". Mind you, I had not said more than "Hi how are you this evening?" and "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, I'll void off those two things." Sigh. 10PM brings out all the crazies, I swear.
What I REALLY hate is the fact that I can get a 10% discount on anything and everything in the store EXCEPT for the healthy food choices. Want a bag of chips or a candy bar? Ok, you can get 10% off that. Want to buy some grilled chicken or frozen veggies? No discount.
Original Post by ambereva:
Healthy eating is somewhat subjective. Someone else may be looking at the processed cheese and deli meat in your cart and be thinking to themselves 'tsk tsk,
Best to just keep your attention on your own cart.
Good Valid Point!
I do have to say though ambereva, your cart might get some attention because you look so fit!!
Original Post by blueberry_lips:
haha, i know i've checked out with some pretty weird things. my dad works coupons so most of our groceries come out to $0 and sometimes we make money (lol!) but that means buying unusual stuff. these are examples of what we might buy at one time:
-8 liters of soda (no one here drinks soda, we gave thisaway)
-100 soy joy bars
-60 protein bars
-16 sobe life water things
-four gallons of ice cream
-tens of boxes of cereal (usually it's the really sugary kinds that go on sale)
-tampons (enough to last me through college and beyond!)
-tens of boxes of morning star veggie burgers
-twelve boxes of white pasta
-twenty four large jars of marinara sauce
-four fragrance things for the bathroom
-twenty book covers
-tons and tons of pens and mechanical pencils
-tons of granola bars
there's more, so much more, i can't think of it all! so i try not to judge.
I've heard of people doing this before. How does that work?
Original Post by sfredbull:
Original Post by ambereva:
Healthy eating is somewhat subjective. Someone else may be looking at the processed cheese and deli meat in your cart and be thinking to themselves 'tsk tsk,
Best to just keep your attention on your own cart.Good Valid Point!
I do have to say though ambereva, your cart might get some attention because you look so fit!!
Anyone checking out my cart would see a ton of fruit and vegetables, bags of beans, oats, quinoa and all kinds of raw nuts and seeds, almond milk, and most importantly, coffee and dark chocolate. 
Original Post by theresa_09:
Original Post by blueberry_lips:
haha, i know i've checked out with some pretty weird things. my dad works coupons so most of our groceries come out to $0 and sometimes we make money (lol!) but that means buying unusual stuff. these are examples of what we might buy at one time:
-8 liters of soda (no one here drinks soda, we gave thisaway)
-100 soy joy bars
-60 protein bars
-16 sobe life water things
-four gallons of ice cream
-tens of boxes of cereal (usually it's the really sugary kinds that go on sale)
-tampons (enough to last me through college and beyond!)
-tens of boxes of morning star veggie burgers
-twelve boxes of white pasta
-twenty four large jars of marinara sauce
-four fragrance things for the bathroom
-twenty book covers
-tons and tons of pens and mechanical pencils
-tons of granola bars
there's more, so much more, i can't think of it all! so i try not to judge.
I've heard of people doing this before. How does that work?
it's a HOBBY and omg i would never do it, it's just that he enjoys it. by hobby i mean he takes pleasure in spending hours racking through newspapers, finding online coupons, and going shopping. it's literally a treasure hunt in the grocery store to find the right brand, etc. just planning the trip takes about an hour. i think he gets an adrenaline rush from going to CVS at midnight because that's when the sales start and he doesn't want to miss anything. lol. get this, there's other people there too at midnight who do the same thing, and they've all gotten to be friends because they'll see each other at one CVS and then drive to the next CVS and hit up all of them in town in the wee hours of the morning. he loves it, but it's not worth it unless you enjoy that sort of thing. much of it is local grocery stores and coupons, so that's not something i could share with you since it varies from week to week and is different depending on where you live, but this is one that is a bit more general: http://www.savingwithshellie.com/. also you can find store coupons for buy-one-get-one-free and find an online manufacturer's discount for the same thing, so you get two for free because each coupon pays for the other. we have a walk-in pantry, extra freezer in the garage, and a walk-in closet full of stuff like cereal and pasta, because often times you have to buy a lot to get the discount. also, for example, he came home yesterday with this anti-scalp-itch stuff and we were all like "what the heck?" but he made $3 buying it, so whatever... it's just insane, but hey, whatever makes you happy.
Original Post by laura916:
ayemee, i think you're missing the feedback you're getting here, so let me summarize:
1. the fact that you think you have the right to judge other people based on their purchases at walmart is disgusting
2. there is nothing moral/immoral about buying healthy/unhealthy food
3. stop using other people's behaviors as a means of reassuring yourself that you're great. somehow you've equated being thin and eating healthy with being "good" and it seems like you're in constant need of reassurance that your behaviors are good and other people are bad/worse. it's desperate and unattractive.
did i miss anything?
Wow, look who's Ms. Grouchy Pants!
Anywho,...I too love watching people. It's free hbo people!!!
I can't even imagine a life so utterly devoid of interest that spying on what someone else chooses to spend their money on becomes entertainment.
(But I'm totally going through your medicine cabinet when I visit your house!)
