What?

If I ever have a panic attack, I guarantee it will be at Walmart.

That place makes me so anxious.

Not to mention dealing with harsh-toned comments such as, "Move your body so I can get through!"

Whatever happened to "please" or "excuse me?"

There isn't one specific thing I dislike about Walmart. It's a combination of things. While there are some benefits to going there such as its "one stop shop" advantages, I try to avoid the place at all costs.

I had the day off work today, and promised my sister I'd purchase her some toiletries and deliver them when we visit. The only reason I went to Walmart specifically was because she said her conditioner could be found there.

My first anxieties started in the parking lot. It's ALWAYS so busy. I don't understand this. I worry about getting run over, about my car getting hit, about freezing to death before I reach the front door, and about not being able to find my car upon exit. I entered near the groceries, but immediately remembered the toiletry section is a mile away. This meant I needed to maneuver my cart around a gazillion people to reach the deodorant aisle. UGH. Seriously. Dozens of people were crammed into those itty bitty aisles. Many people have no regard for other people. It's as if everyone hates the store, but has a need to go there, so they run around bumping into people, cutting in front of them with their carts, and shooting icy glares at anyone who dares stand by the shampoo section when they are the ones who need shampoo.

My initial plan was to slowly peruse the aisles. This is what I love about Target. The aisles are wider, it's never obnoxiously busy, and I can take my own sweet time shopping. I love examining different items, brands, prices, and colors. I love that everything is clean and organized. Mostly, I love that I have my own space. I love the shopping experience I get at Target, and I've told my husband before that I'd gladly pay a few extra dollars to escape the craziness of the "rollback" store. I usually choose days I have time to shop, as I dislike being rushed. At Walmart, my heart rate can't take a leisurely shopping experience. After I collected the shavers, deodorant, conditioner, face wash, cough drops (for myself), I found myself a secluded area and mentally prepared for the next task.

I had to track down deep woods bug repellant for the expats living in Belize. Bug spray in the middle of winter in Wisconsin with the temperatures to drop to negative 29 on Sunday, you say? I didn't want to deal with being the lost puppy dog searching to no avail, so I readily asked two Walmart employees. They stared at me confused before asking, "What kind of bug spray?" Maybe they were thinking I had some special kind of winter bug I needed to repel? Or maybe they thought I was delusional. Who knows? Either way, I was directed to the camping/sporting goods area, and thankfully hit the jackpot.  I finally made it across the length of the store to arrive at the grocery section, and again was met with a crowd of people. So many people. Truly, it was 10:30 a.m. on  a Friday. Where do all these people come from? I picked up my almond milk, grabbed a carton of cage-free eggs, bought some apples, kale, and sweet potatoes from the produce section, and RAN. I wish I could have ran. I Mario-karted myself around a few lost carts and ended up in a check-out line another half-mile long. And patiently waited. I did actually feel safe here.

Thankfully, the end was in site. But it wouldn't be an experience without a rude person demanding you "move your body" so they can walk past you. That happened, the kind check-out guy totaled my items, and I was thankfully not forced to stay any longer.

Once in the safety of my Forester, I immediately texted my husband. I needed de-stress in the form of a text message about how much I dislike Walmart (did I mention this yet?).

Are there any stores you dislike going to? Any bad shopping experiences? Does anyone feel the same way about Walmart as I do? To be honest, I don't like shopping much at all, so getting groceries or toiletries are both at the bottom of my list of things to do. Please share. It feels good.