daisy: blog 
daisy's blog
i want to shop at night...darn it
Published Jul. 30, 2008
Last Saturday night I went to Wal-mart to pick up some groceries. I don’t normally shop that late by myself but I figured it would save time and some gas to go ahead and stop. Well, I remembered why I don’t like shopping at night alone! As I was leaving a guy followed me to my car and was asking for money as I loaded my bags. I told him I didn’t have any cash and hoped he would move on to the next person. Instead he stood there as I loaded the trunk and tried to have a conversation about my car and asked for a ride. A RIDE, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! By this time I was starting to feel uncomfortable. Where are all the people in this crowded parking lot! I know there were lots of others checking out, I had to stand in a line 5 buggies long. Why am I feeling like the Lone Ranger out here? And what about that little white truck with the yellow flashing lights, where is he when I need him?
I told the guy to go away or I would start screaming. I know, a little dramatic, but he quickly moved away…mumbling that I was crazy, lol. I am a nice person, I hate to be rude to anyone but some people just won’t take a polite “no” for an answer.
This brings me to my point of the blog. Why must I, as a woman, be afraid of shopping at night? This is the United States, land of opportunities, should be there an addition to that saying, land of opportunities….but don’t go shopping after sundown!
I know there are many that talk of arming citizens and I loved my snub nose .38 before it was stolen in a home break-in 5 years ago. But you can’t carry a gun into most public places so its not going to do you much good if its not handy. How responsible are the stores in securing their parking lots? One little white truck of security seems hardly enough for a big store like Wal-mart, plus that guy is usually parked on the side next to the entrance.
The recent brawl that started in the Raleigh mall has started the conversation about security that I think should have already been corrected at the shopping centers. How many other people have changed their shopping patterns to avoid going out at night? Or in the case of the mall, now don’t go there because of security issues? Why is it only around Christmas that retailers beef up security? Don’t they want shoppers year round? And police officers should be doing more than just cruising the parking lots, that’s a waste of tax payers’ money, in my opinion. What’s your opinions on all this?
I want to be able to shop whenever I please and feel fairly safe!!!
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GOLO member since July 5, 2007
July 30, 2008 2:31 p.m.
GOLO member since September 5, 2007
July 30, 2008 1:59 p.m.
July 30, 2008 12:48 p.m.
Getright, I hear what you are saying but I don't want to get myself in trouble. For some reason, I am the type of person who questionable people seem to approach, my ex used to say it was because of my habit of always looking at people in the eyes. I would be afraid that knowing I had a gun in my pocket might tempt me to pull it out.
GOLO member since November 14, 2007
July 30, 2008 12:38 p.m.
I had to explain to my daughter that she can't dawdle while getting into the car because it wasn't safe.
I'm not a paranoid person; I feel safe most of the time. But the news over the past few years of robberies has definitely put me on guard.
GOLO member since April 25, 2008
July 30, 2008 12:25 p.m.
GOLO member since August 1, 2008
July 30, 2008 12:23 p.m.
GOLO member since December 20, 2007
July 30, 2008 12:23 p.m.
GOLO member since April 24, 2008
July 30, 2008 12:18 p.m.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 30, 2008 12:17 p.m.
As far as your snub-nosed .38 goes... it's only illegal if you get caught. That's how I see it. Don't pull it out unless you really need to. If you really need to then the consequences to an otherwise law-abiding citizen would pale in comparison to the horror you may have averted. Law or no law, I will protect me and mine. If you're going to carry into a place that specifically syas not to you'd better mind you Ps & Qs but, better safe than sorry. Again, that's just how I see it.
GOLO member since February 28, 2008
July 30, 2008 12:15 p.m.
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