People of WalMart

[Strangler Lewis]

People of the Jewish Ghetto, People of the Negro ghetto, etc.

As an aside, I think Candid Camera was far more gentle than Borat. It simply put people into unusual, but fairly benign situations. I doubt anyone was ever called ugly on Candid Camera.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

People of the Jewish Ghetto, People of the Negro ghetto, etc.

Both of which might make for interesting photo collections and I have no doubt the conversation inspired in the comments might be rather interesting. But then, I'm looking at this not so much for a "humor" perspective as a "communication" perspective, and as Brad pointed out earlier - that kind of analysis kills the funny pretty quickly.

But certainly both communities mentioned above have pieces of apparel or styles used to identify them or show solidarity with that community. But Yarmulke and Sagging aren't all that funny in themselves.

[Strangler Lewis]

I was thinking more of collections that I've seen compiled by the Nazis and others to paint their subjects as sub-human or, as I said earlier, too stupid to live. I think you can throw the Irish in there, too, as fit subjects of similar studies. I think the Wal-Mart collection that started this is fairly close to that camp.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

I was thinking more of collections that I've seen compiled by the Nazis and others to paint their subjects as sub-human or, as I said earlier, too stupid to live. I think you can throw the Irish in there, too, as fit subjects of similar studies. I think the Wal-Mart collection that started this is fairly close to that camp.

Yeah never did get to see the original website, so don't really know the tone or intent, so to the extent photos of people going to WalMart were portrayed as a class of subhumans that should be removed from society, I would find the website offensive and certainly not funny.

[€uroMeinke]

I also find it interesting that what we are reacting to seems to be our own concept of what it means to "shop at walmart"

• Only the poor do it
• White trash
• store of last resort

I know there's a positive list as we, people who appreciate good value, convenience, broad selection, etc. But it seems Walmart has an issue with it's brand recognition

[Prudence]

We place so much emphasis on a person's appearance being the sine que non for value. If a person is ugly, fat, dresses funny, has a physical deformity, whathaveyou they are judged to be less valuable humans.

I'd grant some leeway on the "dressing funny", as some people intentionally dress to stand out. I'm pretty sure that Euro knew that his attire was not the norm, and that it not being the norm was the point. I'm pretty sure that sideless shirt guy intentionally turned an article of clothing into a set of torso mudflaps. I'm pretty sure that people who dye their hair blue want me to notice that their hair is, indeed, blue.

But people who wear sweatpants to grocery shop? Or who haven't the foggiest clue how to dress fashionably? I might not be able to stop the internal snicker - that's human. But I don't have to snap a photo and post it publicly with the caption "world's lamest people". If a photo of me in a costume-like get-up makes the rounds - hey, I did it to be noticed. When photos of me going about my usual life get posted for public ridicule because I've been judged insufficiently attractive to be in public, that's pretty harsh. There are plenty of other ways I can make myself feel good that don't involve making other people feel bad.

And they don't all involve curing cancer.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Clothing is all about context. If you wear pajamas to my library, I WILL think you look like an idiot, like a mess, like you have no clue how our society works. I don't care if they are your "going out pajamas". I WILL judge you. I would say sorry, but I'm not sorry about it, so I won't. I have seen countless people in pajamas, at all hours of the day.

It has nothing to do with making myself feel good. To me it's the same as showing up to the supermarket in a tuxedo or to family dinner in scuba gear. Appropriate outfit FAIL.

Regarding "what if they're your friend", well it's not like all of us would wear what all the others wear. We all have our own sense of appropriate dress, of taste. There is quite the range among us. That said - this isn't a big worry in this group. We all have our foibles but we dress just fine...for the most part.

[CoasterMatt]

What if I wear scuba gear to the supermarket, and start yelling "HELLO THERE!" to the lobsters in the tank? THAT's why I stick with the pajamas now.

[3894]

Originally Posted by CoasterMatt

What if I wear scuba gear to the supermarket, and start yelling "HELLO THERE!" to the lobsters in the tank? THAT's why I stick with the pajamas now.

Ha! Only Chanel sunglasses could possibly save this. People like me will be looking only at the sunglasses and wondering if you paid retail.

Word to the wise: show up in pjs at the hotel breakfast room and you're fair game, baby.

Lashbear, take up knitting and knit yourself some socks. Srsly. The first time you put on handmade socks made to measure, you'll curl up in a fetal position and start to purr.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by CoasterMatt

What if I wear scuba gear to the supermarket, and start yelling "HELLO THERE!" to the lobsters in the tank?

I would expect nothing less from you.