Politics and Mystery Shopping
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Fortunately I don't do mystery shopping to make a living! If I did, I'd probably end up shopping companies I have strong ethical and political issues with. As it is, I try to not let a company's leanings influence whether or not I shop there. But there are two restaurant chains I refuse to shop for. There's also a mega discount department/grocery/everything else store I wouldn't shop if it were. It may be, but I've never seen that it is, and I'm not going to go looking for it--LOL. I haven't been inside one for about 10 years, and it would take more than getting paid for me to do so.
That being said, I'm not going to take the time to research every client company for which I shop. But there are some whose reputations are so well known and business practices so well documented that it's hard to not know whether you can in good conscience shop them.
Everybody has to make that sort of decision for themselves.
That being said, I'm not going to take the time to research every client company for which I shop. But there are some whose reputations are so well known and business practices so well documented that it's hard to not know whether you can in good conscience shop them.
Everybody has to make that sort of decision for themselves.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
@MDavisnowell wrote:
In this particular case, I suspect that the two or three members who usually kindly reprimand us for straying into political and religious issues haven't noticed this thread yet.
Not true at all. Both Lisa and Flash have chastised people before for bringing up politics and/or religion. I guess this thread is ok though since they agree with it.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Compared to what I see on some forums I belong to, this thread doesn't seem to really "be" about specific political or religious issues. Overall, it seems more of a "Do you or don't you shop according to your political and/or religious beliefs? And how can I find shops more suited to mine?" Wouldn't that general topic legitimately fall into the realm of discussion about mystery shopping?
Yeah, there have been some topics mentioned, but it looks like people are truly trying to not let those evolve into discussions/debates about specific issues. Seems pretty restrained, actually.
I could understand people getting upset if people were talking about and giving opinions about, for example, the Pope's visit or the televised debates, or candidates' stands on the issues, or something.... But Trump's toupee? Fair game, IMO!
Yeah, there have been some topics mentioned, but it looks like people are truly trying to not let those evolve into discussions/debates about specific issues. Seems pretty restrained, actually.
I could understand people getting upset if people were talking about and giving opinions about, for example, the Pope's visit or the televised debates, or candidates' stands on the issues, or something.... But Trump's toupee? Fair game, IMO!
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I don't think talking about Trump's toupee falling into LisaSTL's wine is political. Hilarious or disgusting, yes; political, no. Now Trump ads are showing on the right side of this forum page. That's some scary shiit. Halloween is right around the corner.
Fine. Why don't we start a thread about guns and shopper safety and see how long that lasts.
Also Trump's toupee is fair game but someone's religion is not.
Also Trump's toupee is fair game but someone's religion is not.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
That's not even remotely funny especially with the recent school massacre in Oregon.
Who was trying to be funny?
I drive a lot at night in rural areas and in inner city areas. Sometimes I'm concerned with my safety. Perhaps I'd like a discussion about how other shoppers handle that? It's not about politics. It's about shopper safety.
I drive a lot at night in rural areas and in inner city areas. Sometimes I'm concerned with my safety. Perhaps I'd like a discussion about how other shoppers handle that? It's not about politics. It's about shopper safety.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I don't care two hoots in a rainbarrel about politics. My husband was a politician for years and is still active. For me religion or politics doesn't have any bearing on mystery shopping and if someone doesn't want a shop because of either of those factors then there's more shops left for me.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
bgriffin,
I seem to recall that there will be a session devoted to shopper safety at the Las Vegas IMSC conference in November.
I seem to recall that there will be a session devoted to shopper safety at the Las Vegas IMSC conference in November.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
@bgriffin wrote:
Fine. Why don't we start a thread about guns and shopper safety and see how long that lasts.
Also Trump's toupee is fair game but someone's religion is not.
Who said it was? Someone's religion, I mean? Nobody here is trying to denigrate anyone's religion or political leanings, as far as I can tell.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2015 02:25PM by BirdyC.
Well, it is you. King of Sarcasm. Go ahead and start a thread about shopper safety. I know there are some scaredy cats out there. You will probably get a lot of feedback.@bgriffin wrote:
Who was trying to be funny?
I drive a lot at night in rural areas and in inner city areas. Sometimes I'm concerned with my safety. Perhaps I'd like a discussion about how other shoppers handle that? It's not about politics. It's about shopper safety.
I shop stations regularly that sell drug paraphernalia and I would never support them with my own money. I consider it admirable to take theirs.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
Some random thoughts on this thread:
I don't shop illegal places intentionally.
Trumps hair is real, just over teased and over sprayed.
A little mischief is good.
I stay out of inner city areas after dark.
Sarcasm can be funny.
People are tired of politicians sticking a finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing (some would like to suggest another place to stick that finger).
I don't shop illegal places intentionally.
Trumps hair is real, just over teased and over sprayed.
A little mischief is good.
I stay out of inner city areas after dark.
Sarcasm can be funny.
People are tired of politicians sticking a finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing (some would like to suggest another place to stick that finger).
Two hoots in a rainbarrel?
Wow.
Wow.
I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
I think the question the OP asks is not necessarily political, but just about if a shopper may have reservations about shopping a business who's values do not match their own. That can work from either side, so it's more a question of shopper values rather than a political statement. I say that makes it fair game for discussion here.
My example of shopping somewhere that ultimately made me uncomfortable ironically involves Trump, since it was one of his hotels. Now don't get me wrong. I'm happy to eat Mr. Trump's food and take his money to add another stamp to my passport. It was the other guests I had an issue with. The bartender starts chatting me up during the bar evaluation and I mistakenly mention that I'm from California...and the rest of the evening ends up in a political discussion with the other guests at the bar, with me watching the clock to put my time in for the evaluation, and biting my tongue through most of it. I'm not sure I cold could do one of those again.
Oh, and Mary, don't think that ^ wasn't noticed! A homophobic post that I reported remains in place, but Mary's post was somehow offensive enough to get deleted. Please...
My example of shopping somewhere that ultimately made me uncomfortable ironically involves Trump, since it was one of his hotels. Now don't get me wrong. I'm happy to eat Mr. Trump's food and take his money to add another stamp to my passport. It was the other guests I had an issue with. The bartender starts chatting me up during the bar evaluation and I mistakenly mention that I'm from California...and the rest of the evening ends up in a political discussion with the other guests at the bar, with me watching the clock to put my time in for the evaluation, and biting my tongue through most of it. I'm not sure I cold could do one of those again.
@MDavisnowell wrote:
I post a thread called "KimCarvente Yuk" and it gets deleted.
Oh, and Mary, don't think that ^ wasn't noticed! A homophobic post that I reported remains in place, but Mary's post was somehow offensive enough to get deleted. Please...
Jacob and the mods do have their favorites. My nose is not brown.
I think the discussion about the topic raised by the OP has been pretty civil and courteous, actually. I don't think the OP's post was particularly political despite it being about politics (if that makes any sense). You can be on either side of the aisle and want to avoid supporting companies whose policies you find repugnant. Regardless of which ones you think are repugnant and which are A-OK.
On another note, newmax.com wants to know If I still support Trump thanks to the previous mentions. I doubt there's an option for "I object to your premise", so I'll not be voting.
On another note, newmax.com wants to know If I still support Trump thanks to the previous mentions. I doubt there's an option for "I object to your premise", so I'll not be voting.
Shopper in California's Bay Area
I'm liberal myself -- but do not get overly concerned about a company's leanings- they ALL want to make money and in that they are the same. I do not know any companies that I can think of that I have a beef with -- well... maybe Hardees and their insulting T'NA commercials showing women in butt floss swimsuits, and "mouthing" their food in slow motion, crawling on all fours etc. Hardees claims they make these commercials because Hardees is "for active hungry young men". (I guess they forget that women, seniors and kids eat there too.) Chik Filet is conservative - but not in an ugly way, though they have come out against gay marriage. I don't agree with Filet's beliefs - but respect the fact that they follow their beliefs and it is their business if they stay closed on Sunday, etc. Starbucks: liberal. Chipotle: liberal (IMHO) Any company that treats their employees better tend to be liberal in my opinion. Hardee's has a general disrespect for women as far as I am concerned.
Since bgriffin decided to point to me specifically, I am another one who found the OP's intent behind the question to be quite interesting. It could apply across the board regardless of one's religious or political beliefs and could include what we deem moral or ethical. It is just what I said, do people put their money where their mouth is or do they ignore distasteful practices by continuing to patronize and/or shop for particular clients? There are businesses I won't go to because I find them to be unethical, such as Walmart. Maybe that is a political statement, but then I know people of various political and religious persuasions who feel exactly the same way. Even apolitical atheists can have ethics.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I find it fascinating that folks would find a pretty darn generic comment about whether they take into account the political or religious position of companies in deciding where to shop to be a political or religious argument/discussion. Is it also going to be inappropriate to say, "I was blessed this week in having all my shops go off without a hitch." or must I say, "I was lucky this week in having all my shops go off without a hitch."?
This is not a discussion about some piece of legislation, the 'lies' some candidate or other is spouting or inferring, the danger of some candidate's proposals. 'Heaven forbid' it should evolve into any discussion of race, sexual preferences, creed, age or disability! Nor was this thread a personal attack on any person or place and no chickens were harmed in this production--organically raised or otherwise.
This is not a discussion about some piece of legislation, the 'lies' some candidate or other is spouting or inferring, the danger of some candidate's proposals. 'Heaven forbid' it should evolve into any discussion of race, sexual preferences, creed, age or disability! Nor was this thread a personal attack on any person or place and no chickens were harmed in this production--organically raised or otherwise.
I'm happy to see that I'm not the only one who felt this isn't a political or religious discussion and that the general topic is a valid discussion within the broad subject of mystery shopping!
I thought for a minute I didn't have my reading glasses on and was misreading posts, or that my brain was scrambled this morning. Well, at least about this. It's usually scrambled before I've had my second cup of coffee, but I thought I was in a cognitive state when I read through the thread....
Personally, I find this thread very interesting. In a number of ways.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2015 05:09PM by BirdyC.
I thought for a minute I didn't have my reading glasses on and was misreading posts, or that my brain was scrambled this morning. Well, at least about this. It's usually scrambled before I've had my second cup of coffee, but I thought I was in a cognitive state when I read through the thread....
Personally, I find this thread very interesting. In a number of ways.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2015 05:09PM by BirdyC.
Flash is absolutely right on the mark! So let's all switch to decaf, please.
I recently did a shop where I was asked to comment on the music being played. It was some sort of dreadful dirge of a song with no redeeming musicality. My friend, who has better hearing and advanced musical training and performance skills, identified it as the worst so-called Christian "rock" interspersed with DJ comments encouraging specific religious beliefs. I simply reported that I could not make out the words but that the music was dreadful and I would have taken my food out to the patio to escape it if the scenario had permitted me to do so. Lest I be accused of bias, let me state for the record that anything else, from Bach chorales to American classic gospel, and including Christmas carols, would have been welcome and enjoyed by me. This was just dreadful music! And the words were right up there with that CM classic, "Flushed from the bathroom of your heart."
I recently did a shop where I was asked to comment on the music being played. It was some sort of dreadful dirge of a song with no redeeming musicality. My friend, who has better hearing and advanced musical training and performance skills, identified it as the worst so-called Christian "rock" interspersed with DJ comments encouraging specific religious beliefs. I simply reported that I could not make out the words but that the music was dreadful and I would have taken my food out to the patio to escape it if the scenario had permitted me to do so. Lest I be accused of bias, let me state for the record that anything else, from Bach chorales to American classic gospel, and including Christmas carols, would have been welcome and enjoyed by me. This was just dreadful music! And the words were right up there with that CM classic, "Flushed from the bathroom of your heart."
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
MrEToomey - I encourage you to remember that you have been unfairly treated and I further encourage you to bring it up whenever possible. We should maintain a fair minded heart but we should never forget when we have been the victim of an unfair playing field. The rules are obviously optional depending on whose post is being considered. That has not changed in the last five years and I am sure it will never change. That does not mean it is acceptable.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
@OceanGirl wrote:
The way I see it, even if I am working for a primarily conservative client, that doesn't reflect the opinions of most of their workforce, and I have the chance to potentially make a positive contribution regardless of where I shop.
I'm curious what makes you believe that the majority of employees who work for conservative clients are liberal?
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
@OceanGirl wrote:
@bgriffin wrote:
This forum is free of politics.
I wasn't aware of that. If that's an official rule, could we get it added to the Posting Guidelines?
Excellent idea. I shall start a thread in the Meta section asking if it can be.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
@Sybil2 wrote:
I could care less if the establishment is displaying a cross or waving a rainbow flag or a rainbow-colored cross. It is all about the Benjamins.@LIJake wrote:
When I shop a client I am there to do a job and earn money. I could care less if they are conservative or liberal.
I'm so glad that you both care. Or did you fail grammar and really mean you couldn't care less?
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2015 11:01PM by bgriffin.
@MrEToomey wrote:
Let me get this straight, then. I'm chastised as a new poster for daring to imply that the healthcare bill was passed without reading, but it's okay for certain long-term posters to make disparaging comments about other people's religious and political choices? Different rules for different people, eh? Sounds like a certain political party.
That is because the people who chastised you are for that health care bill and so it was wrong of you to bring it up. But now there is a thread that they support it's perfectly ok.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
@BirdyC wrote:
Nobody here is trying to denigrate anyone's religion or political leanings, as far as I can tell.
I beg to differ:
@Flash wrote:
But not to worry, the Almighty has made them so perfect they don't need to do shops.
I don't know what religion she was referencing and don't really care. It was rude and a topic that previously most people agreed to avoid.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2015 11:02PM by bgriffin.
Uh-oh.
I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
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