Wal-Mart employee doesn't think much of Michelle Obama

I personally probably would have stopped and had a chat with a manager or a supervisor on my way out of the store. There are just some thing cashiers should not to and that is one of them.

I guess it depends on what Walmart you are at. I was in my local walmart the day after Obama was sworn in and unforunately I had my children with me. I was walking through the produce section where a small group of employees were standing around and talking. They were saying that now that Obama was president that he should help only "black" people and they personally were not going to do anything to help anyone in this country but other "black" people. That everyone else could just fend for themsleves. Now I am editing the bad language that was used so this post does not violate rules. But lets just say my son was asking me what a couple of those words meant. The employees were not exactly being quiet. There were other shoppers that just stopped and stared at them. The employees acted like they did not even care that people were staring. I did talk to a manager about the language. I do not know if he did anything about it. But I tend to avoid groups of Walmart employees now in walmart....especially if I have my kids with me. Personally I think politics should not be talked about at work. It can lead to arguements and trouble. That includes people whose job it is to enteract with the public. Leave politics out of it. And foul language.

I like her too and she looked terrific on that cover of people magazine which means she will probably sell a lot of magazines and get asked to do a lot more covers. That young man is in for a rough few years but you and I can enjoy it.LOL One of the things that I like most about Michelle Obama is that she seems to be having a lot of fun with the First Lady thing. I don't know when I've seen a First Lady who seemed to be enjoying herself so much. I love that.

I didn't vote for Obama and I find his ideology abominadble. But with the exception of Hillary Clinton (because she imediatly put herslef in the position of second president), first ladies are generaly off limits as far as I'm concerned. If it bothered you that badly you could have had a chit chat with a manager, the young man was probably just being social in a twisted sort of way, but was non the less out of line.

Collieluv28, Living here in Texas, I can understand the lack of support you felt, but it does not mean you should not say a word. You have just as much a right to your opinion as anyone else. And assuming that others will not back you up, just furthers the prejudice that you fear.... You should not let other people's beliefs impact the way you feel, especially if they seem full of prejudice... I always believe it is worth the argument, if you feel that there is some injustice going on....opinion is one thing, but when it speaks of something else entirely, people do need to stand up for what is right.

You did better than I would, I have trouble not speaking my mind when people make comments about stuff. I guess there are times to talke about politics and times just to let people go on in their beleifs. Depends on the place and the time you have. In terms of the coverage, people should just know that the First Lady is going to get some. Michelle looks for it a little more than Laura did so she gets more of it. She is also a little more interesting because she does a lot of stuff you wouldn't expect out of a first lady (like giving out marital advice) so there is a little more to write about.

I think it is ok to converse, but you hadn't asked his opinion and you clearly like her, I think he was in wrong. But I would have done what you did. Just ignore it/

Being a cashier is a very difficult position to have work in everyday. Most people have no idea!! As a cashier, you have to deal with all sorts of people and you don't get to pick and choose who you prefer to wait on. Many of the customers approach the cashier with the idea that they can be as nasty or testing as they please. Many hope to provoke a debate while others will simply be rude in every way imaginable. For anyone to suggest that visiting a manager for the simple reason that the cashier was being talkative enough to discuss a different point of view then yours is ridiculous. Customers like this get laughed at the minute they leave the store! Even if the manager promises to set the cashier straight, it doesn't work that way and they all get a moment of amusement. And even if the management gives a hoot, was the offense bad enough to risk this cashier's job? So many of the customers are so rude and arrogant, they don't think twice what the cashier goes through in just one day of work. So few customers are pleasant and helpful to cashiers. I think most people should think about this before they check out: "What can I do to make this person's day a little better, a little easier and a lot more pleasant?" Or at the very least: "What can I do to be less of a nuisance with my demands and complaints?" How many customers realize that: -In busy stores literally hundreds of people go through a cashier in an 8 hour shift? -How little that cashier is getting paid? -That the cashier has nothing to do with whatever gripe the customer has regarding the store, the prices or anything else other then the transaction itself? -That many people come through yapping on cell phones and don't pay attention to what they are doing? -Toss the money toward the cashier instead of handing it to them? -Take forever to find their money or card because they aren't ready when they get to the head of the line? -Take forever counting out exact change? -Change their minds after you ring them up? -Change their method of payment after you ring them up? -Demand special attention? Give the cashiers a break! And stop complaining to their managers about every little thing, because the managers don't really care either and you're wasting their time too. Managers go through all the same stuff as the cashiers, plus some! PS- I'm not a cashier, but I used to be.

It seems to me that this young man was looking for a confrontation with you. You're right that he has every right to state his opinion but while on the job, which it is his job to serve YOU and other customers, I don't think it's at all appropriate for him to become combative like that. The very fact he brought up her being African-American tells me he was really looking to start something. This guy crossed the line and I think at the very least I'd have filled out one of those opinion questionnaires if there were any available but I more than likely would have spoken with the manager. This kind of behavior could very likely cost the store customers. Annie

This may be a free country but this person was on duty as a Walmart Associate, representing his employer. He had no right to voice his personal or political opinions to a customer and I would have gone straight to the manager after I finished checking out and complained strongly.

I'm sure he was just looking for a target to unload his anxiety but you handled it the right way by not responding. An argument like that ends with no winner since you can't change this guy's mind no matter what you say. Have a nice day :)

I don't like Michelle Obama or her two girls. Its not because there african-american its because there everywhere now a days. I really hate watching the news and all they can report on is what Michelle and her daughters are wearing. Liek who cares any other person doesn't get 8 hours of what they wear on television. I'm just stating my opinion here but i probably would have said something to him about it,I would of said "yeah okay sure but i don't agree with you sorry".

I wouldn't be too upset if I were you, everyone has their own opinion, the cashier must think you are a nice person so he started the conversation with you, just take it as a causual conversation and you have decided to agree to disagree with him! cheer up!

personally, when im in situations like that i laugh and say "to each their own", usually the person will realize you dont want an argument or anything so they'll shut up, at least it works for me

Now you know what it is like to be a conservative. IF you tried to question an Obama supporter on what did he stand for or what was his experience you were called a racist. It seems to me that the standard answer if you questioned a supporter was to attack you personally.

"why didn't Laura Bush or Hillary Clinton get the coverage that she does?" Hillary Clinton got much worse. Her husband cheated on her and even people on the left mocked her and said "If I was married to that, I'd cheat too". I don't know how you could have such a short memory to forget that. Laura Bush, on the other hand, was generally left alone. Unlike Clinton and Obama she really didn't push her way into the limelight. When you get yourself on the cover of every magazine and do hundreds of interviews, you open yourself up to public scrutiny. As for the Walmart cashier, it was unprofessional and if a manager had witnessed it he might have gotten fired. As a library employee there is a very strict policy on discussing politics with patrons. We are not to encourage or discourage any political opinions and we are not to offend people. There have been several times I've had to bite my tongue when I hear patrons say excessively stupid things. I can state facts and correct misstatements, but I have to walk a fine line.

yeah, i think i will refrain from commenting too much on this topic. i sort of see his point. it is kind of reverse racism. not my view but i think that is what he is trying to point out and he is not completely wrong there. just like they say barack is the first african american president. he is also half white but they rarely ever gets referenced.

If you had only wanted to pay and go then do not say anything but hello. I also live in the area you do and I have discovered that if you want a conversation all you have to do is say anything beyond hello. It is part of the appeal of the area. The fact that he had a different opinion as you and felt free to express it is really great. I agree that it is good that she is in the press. At the same time the great part about being an American is that you can voice your opinion even if you work a register at Wal Mart. I would have done what you did, most likely. Stoped talking and payed. But I am strongly opinionated also so I may have asked him questions too. Who knows. Try not to let it get to you, and have a great rest of the day.

I would have just let it go as you did. Sometimes its just worth it to walk away. I'm from Texas too, so I know what your talking about. It just seems like she is on every Magazine cover because her husband just took office. I know it seems like he has been president for a while but this is just the start of his 6th week. All of the magazines want there chance to interview her and they know having her on the cover will sell. Laura Bush has been on the cover of people magazine before, more than once and so has her husband and their daugthers together. They did a whole spread when Jenna Bush got married. They have had interviews with her and the Former President all during his presidency. Hilary Clinton was also on mag covers. She was the First 1st lady to be on the cover of Vogue, so I don't know what his clerk is talking about.