millie2112

Walmart in Italy...he he he.. thank goodness there is no walmart in Italy!!!!!!!

I visited my first Walmart when we were in Maui. Not because I wanted anything. I wanted to see the beast that is Walmart. It is a novelty for those of us not living in the Usa.


asm123... not having an iron in a room is annoying...agree with you on that. perhaps you should have asked at reception. I am sure that they would helped you.

massimop

Is Esselunga really all that different than Walmart? There are over 100 Esselunga Superstores in Italy, and I believe the company is based in Milan, with more than one store there.

http://www.larena.it/image/policy:1.5830214:1499906032/image.jpg?f=16x9&h=334&w=597&$p$f$h$w=ee82183

I've been in Target, and I may have been in a Walmart -- yes now I remember I was in a Walmart Superstore In Houston.

Esselunga Superstores are like Walmart Superstores

marvelousmouse

When I've needed something ironed, I've just asked the front desk about their laundry service. I don't think I'd trust a motel 6 iron anyway.

I can see Walmart being a cool stop for international visitors, but most cities, it isn't downtown. So are you telling me that you drive 20-30 minutes for toothpaste and chips when you can just walk across the street to a convenience store like a normal person?

But I'll admit I found it strange that I couldn't buy pain killers or tampons outside of a pharmacy in some countries. On the other hand, pharmacists in Europe actually know their stuff. Walmart pharmacists? Hiding or useless. Actually, that describes most of the Walmart staff I've encountered...

pariswat

A born traveler.

crefloors

This is a troll for sure so don't give her the satisfaction of taking it seriously. It is way to obvious. Hotels selling toiletries, really? LOL

marvelousmouse

um, I don't care about cheap, Massimop. I would think even Italians find it inconvenient that they can't buy OTCs or hygiene products when the pharmacy is closed.

massimop

marvelousmouse,

Whether you care it is cheap isn't the point. It isn't up to you. It's up to the stockholders of major corporations who want market practices that drive competitors out of business. They see it as "efficiency" -- but as you point out, what's so efficient about having to drive to Walmart to get your aspirin once the local pharmacy has been run out of business?

I once lived in suburban town where the affluent locals paid more for goods at the local "main street" stores in a desperate effort to keep them in business rather than have main street collapse and the character of the town chance. Not everybody did it -- some people went to Home Depot and called the people "wasting" their money on the local stores fools. Yes, there are Italians who think Italy would be a better place if they could buy their aspirin at the supermarket. But plenty others don't want the pharmacy to close -- since the pharmacist also offers many medical services that the supermarket doesn't -- and the pharmacist will close if the exclusive license to sell aspirin is taken away.

I walk past the pharmacy in my town every single day, as well as the supermarket. It is not inconvenient to go to the pharmacy to buy aspirin. It would be hugely inconvenient if I had to take a train or taxi to another town go fill a prescription.

marvelousmouse

Nope, you're the one who decided to present the guy as trash. He sees himself as a person. Most Americans see him as a person. The percentage of people who don't in Italy or America is relatively small but apparently includes you. Classy.

So if there are superstores in Italy...do those have pharmacies? I mean, I'm actually trying to learn something about Italy here. If you can walk past the supermarket every day, why would it matter if the
loca pharmacy shut down? If the supermarket gained a pharmacy, you'd still have access. Also, are all pharmacies private? None run by corporations? Here, it's Walmart, Walgreens, Riteaid, or Safeway. I don't really see the difference between buying aspirin from Corporation 1 and Corporation 2.

I wouldn't think holding consumers hostage with OTCs would be a great business plan, but I suppose if it works for Italy...

asm123

Massimop

Thanks for suggesting Esselunga. I'll be making these trips quarterly so I'll have to check it out next time I fly in.

janisj

This is obviously 100% a troll thread. The OP signed up to post this and mentioned Walmart eleven times, and an the missing iron eight times.

Just a goofy troll

kja

@ xcountry: Nicely done x 2!

Macross

It is a joke obviously. One of the things I love about Key West? Cuba is closer than the nearest Walmart.

travelchat

Suggestion: relocate to a residence as close to a Walmart as possible and stay home. Troll or not, this is blasphemy, can't possibly be a real TR.

scdreamer

Time to start staying home.

IMDonehere

I am thinking of opening a Golden Corral in Milano. Maybe a Denny's. Right in La Galleria. Maybe there is a hidden market.

Traveler_Nick

A Carrefour hypermarket makes the average Walmart look like a corner store. You won't find one in the city centre but then how many Walmarts are in the city centre?

kovsie

@xcountry: I can see that you are having fun!

@asm123: of course the rest of the world must be just like your country. How else could anybody be contented ... and wrinkle free?
Congrats with effective trolling.

millie2112

i think every old town square in Italy should build a walmart, preferably around the corner from the 500yr old basilica. that way all the american tourists can feel at home.

quokka

I don't know whether I should laugh or cringe.

Ever wondered why the stereotype American is not the most popular person on the planet?

bilboburgler

Interesting post

just a few questions

1) did you ask for an iron? When you booked the hotel was "iron availability" on the tick sheet?
2) did you ask where a big supermarket was at reception?
3) did you ask reception where a fast food restaurant was?

My only other thoughts are, if you come to the land of slow food .......