Pleasanton, California Kohl’s Store
We don’t have a Kohl’s Department Store in our area, so when I had an opportunity to check out a new store near Livermore, CA, I took it.
Truth be told, there was nothing in the immediate area and I really had to use the restroom. Initially I had no intention of shopping when I requested the unscheduled stop. However, after I took care of my immediate needs, I did take a look around.
It was impressive; the floors were so shiny they sparkled. The lavatory was immaculate and well supplied. Every sign in the store was posted in English and in Spanish. At first I thought that rather odd but on closer inspection, it was likely very necessary.
It was upon closer inspection that I began noticing the little details. It was then I realized that every person working in the store was Hispanic — every single one. Shortly after I made that revelation my husband caught up with me and when I shared my observations with him, he pointed out to me that every single shopper in the store, at that time, was white (of Anglo Saxon origins).
After speaking with a few employees, it was obvious their English was limited. Which would account for the need to display signs in their native language. I doubt seriously if they were for the benefit of store patrons.
It was a disturbing pattern that was to repeat itself all day long. Every restaurant, store, gas station and business we entered was staffed by mainly Hispanic workers, who speak very poor English or have thick accents that were difficult to understand. Those few workers who were not of Latin American decent, were exclusively from third world nations.
Have we evolved this quickly into a class society where we have the worker class and the buyer class? The buyers being almost entirely White American’s and Chinese, while the workers are from poor Latin American countries. There is something seriously wrong with this picture.
I can’t quite put my finger on what disturbs me the most about my new discovery. With the influx of so many foreign workers, it’s plain to me that we will be forced to deal with even more notices, in foreign languages, infused into our every day lives. It’s plain to me that communication in the coming years is going to be more of a problem and solutions will be needed to deal with this growing segment of our society.
I am happy that so far, our family has not had to deal with this new phenomenon but rest assured it’s coming to a city near you.
On the other hand, Kohl’s had some terrific bargains, with most of their inventory on clearance for 40-70% off, which of course only means they were charging too much in the first place.
I’m not certain when that particular store actually opened, but it’s hard to understand how a brand new business can have merchandise to put on clearance already. Oh, well I picked up a new robe for my son that was just what we were looking for and the price was right.