Nickel and Dimed Chapter 3 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who does Barbara help in this section?

Melissa

Their job turns out to be keeping the ladies' wear area ________?

shoppable

Instead of ________?

asking if customers need help

What do they have to do to keep the area ___________?

shoppable Signup and view all the answers

How does Barbara feel the first few days at Wal-Mart? Why?

Resentful and somewhat contemptuous because nothing feels urgent. Signup and view all the answers

What do Barbara and Melissa measure their workload in?

Carts Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take them to complete each task?

Initially 45 minutes, later reduced to 30 minutes. Signup and view all the answers

Does Barbara like Ellie or Howard more, and why?

She likes Ellie more because Ellie is polite and demure, unlike Howard. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Barbara move rooms at the Clearview?

Because sewage was backed up in her original room. Signup and view all the answers

What does Alyssa ask, and what does Barbara realize because of the question?

Alyssa asks if a $7 polo shirt might fall further in price, and Barbara realizes that it's more than she can afford at her wage. Signup and view all the answers

What does Barbara notice about the room next door at the Clearview?

There is only one bed for two men who take turns sleeping. Signup and view all the answers

How does Barbara picture the owner of Clearview Inn's wife?

As a product of an arranged marriage who rarely cleans thoroughly. Signup and view all the answers

What act of kindness does Melissa do for Barbara and why?

Melissa brings Barbara a sandwich for lunch because she mentioned living on fast food. Signup and view all the answers

What causes Barbara's two 15-minute breaks to now be vital?

Her shift change requires her to juggle more responsibilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is Barbara's attitude change between the first half of the shift at Wal-Mart and the second?

She is helpful and cheery initially, but starts to detest shoppers later. Signup and view all the answers

What does Barbara find when she comes back to her section after her last break one evening?

A new employee folding T-shirts in her area. Signup and view all the answers

What does the mysterious woman say is her job and why?

She only folds because she's too petite to reach the upper racks. Signup and view all the answers

What is Barbara's worry about her personality after working at Wal-Mart?

She worries about becoming a meaner, bitchier person. Signup and view all the answers

What happens on the day Barbara tries to move into the Hopkins Park Plaza?

She finds out the room won't be available until next week. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Barbara apply for a weekend job in Minneapolis? Does she get the job? Why or why not?

She applies at Rainbow supermarket but doesn't get the job because they want her five days a week. Signup and view all the answers

Where does the YWCA refer Barbara to? What does she rule the recommended place out?

They refer her to Budget Lodging, which she rules out because it only has dorm beds. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Barbara call for insights? What rejuvenates her sense that she's not entirely alone?

Barbara calls Caroline, who invites her to move in with her family. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Barbara leave Clearview Inn? Where does she choose to stay?

Clearview wants $55 a night, so she chooses Comfort Inn for $49.95. Signup and view all the answers

What makes Barbara feel less defeated when she has to leave the Clearview Inn?

Seeing a headline about skyrocketing apartment rents provides her with perspective. Signup and view all the answers

How long did Barbara think she was going to stay at the Comfort Inn? What did the Comfort Inn turn out to be? Why does Barbara feel defeated?

She thought she'd stay one night, but it signifies her final defeat as she spends over $500. Signup and view all the answers

Though Barbara never finds an apartment, what is her last attempt?

Calling the United Way of Minneapolis for assistance. Signup and view all the answers

What does the woman at the United Way of Minneapolis suggest to Barbara?

She suggests moving into a homeless shelter to save for rent and deposit. Signup and view all the answers

At the first office, what is included in the emergency food aid the woman gives Barbara?

A bar of soap, lots of candy and cookies, and a one-pound can of ham. Signup and view all the answers

At the first office, who does the woman mix Barbara up with? What does this show Barbara?

She mixes Barbara up with another Wal-Mart employee, showing the shared struggles of workers. Signup and view all the answers

What does Barbara realize as she picks up after the mothers that are shopping?

She realizes she is doing what most mothers do at home—picking up toys and spills. Signup and view all the answers

What is Isabelle's reaction when she hears Barbara's theory?

Isabelle laughs at her theory about child abuse rates. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Barbara think no one complains about the wages they're paid at Wal-Mart?

She hypothesizes that drug tests and personality surveys create a servile workplace. Signup and view all the answers

What does Isabelle say when Barbara asks how she can afford to live on $7 an hour?

She says she lives with her grown daughter who also works and tells Barbara to be patient. Signup and view all the answers

What does Melissa say about her wage history? Does Barbara understand Melissa's unwillingness to search for another job?

Melissa made twice as much when she was a waitress, and Barbara understands her reluctance. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Melissa not like taking too long on a task?

She worries about wasting the company's money. Signup and view all the answers

What does Howard say when Alyssa tries to negotiate the price of the $7 polo down after finding a stain on it?

He says there are no employee discounts on clearance items. Signup and view all the answers

What causes Barbara to realize Wal-Mart needs a union?

Listening to an associate complain about poor health insurance. Signup and view all the answers

What does Barbara discover when she talks to other employees about the union?

No one gets paid overtime, and health insurance is deemed not worth the cost. Signup and view all the answers

What does Stan say about his wages and his life?

He initially wanted to work while studying, but had to drop out due to work demands. Signup and view all the answers

What does Marlene say about Wal-Mart?

She says Wal-Mart prefers hiring new people over treating existing staff well. Signup and view all the answers

Does Barbara believe unions are a cure-all?

No, she thinks they could help but are not a complete solution. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason Barbara wants to create a union in Wal-Mart?

To puncture the fantasy of the Wal-Mart 'family' and its rhetoric. Signup and view all the answers

She's also discovering how ___________ a lot of low-wage work can be?

monotonous Signup and view all the answers

What happens on the news on the day Barbara decides to quit?

1,450 unionized hotel workers strike at nine local hotels. Signup and view all the answers

What caused Barbara to commit 'time theft'? What does Howard say when he sees Barbara? Was committing 'time theft' worth it and why or why not?

She needed phone numbers from her car but got caught by Howard, who admonished her. Signup and view all the answers

What is Melissa's response when Barbara tells her that she is quitting?

Melissa says she might quit too. Signup and view all the answers

What does Melissa say in response to Barbara telling her about the book she's writing?

She hopes she hasn't said too many negative things about Wal-Mart. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Barbara choose Minneapolis?

Minnesota is a liberal state and generous to its welfare poor, and there are jobs for $8 an hour and studio apartments for $400 or less. Signup and view all the answers

What car is Barbara driving in Minneapolis?

Rent-A-Wreck Signup and view all the answers

Where did Barbara stay in the beginning of Minneapolis?

An apartment of friends of friends Signup and view all the answers

What kind of job is Barbara looking for in Minneapolis?

A change to retail or factory work Signup and view all the answers

Did Barbara get all of the questions right on the personality survey at Wal-Mart?

False Signup and view all the answers

What is Sam Walton's personal philosophy, according to Roberta?

service, excellence, and something else Roberta can't remember Signup and view all the answers

What is Barbara's concern about the drug test at Wal-Mart?

She had a slight indiscretion involving marijuana in the past few weeks Signup and view all the answers

What does Barbara do after finding out she may not pass the drug test at Wal-Mart?

She goes to another job interview Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the woman Barbara meets and visits in Minnesota?

Caroline Signup and view all the answers

What is Caroline's story?

She moved to Minnesota to escape a difficult home situation Signup and view all the answers

How does Caroline relate to Barbara?

She is a real-life version of Barbara's experiment Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Minneapolis Arrival

Barbara chooses Minneapolis for its liberal welfare policy and availability of $8/hour jobs.
She rents a "Rent-A-Wreck" car upon arrival.

Initial Accommodations

Stays at a friend's apartment while taking care of a cockatiel; room is small and cozy.
Shares the space with the cockatiel, reflecting low-wage workers' often cramped living situations.

Job Search Experience

She seeks retail or factory work to change her job circumstances.
Begins filling out applications at Wal-Mart and Target, realizing in-person applications may improve her chances.

Wal-Mart Interaction

Barbara develops a rapport with Roberta, an employee sympathetic to her job search.
Fails to score perfectly on the personality survey due to attempting to avoid appearing insincere.

Drug Test Concerns

Faces a drug test at Wal-Mart and contemplates her history with marijuana, raising anxiety about passing.
Pursues an assembly job opportunity at Menards, prompted by a "Now Hiring" sign and a feeling of urgency.

Encounter at Menards

Experiences a tougher personality test at Menards, which includes odd questions about fistfights and drug dealing.
Offered a position in plumbing for $8.50/hour, contingent on passing the drug test.

Housing Struggles

Struggles to find affordable housing with a vacancy rate below 1%.
Contacted by Hopkins Park Plaza about applying for affordable weekly rentals.

Connection with Caroline

Meets Caroline, who shares personal struggles; Caroline's family makes $40,000 a year, categorizing them as middle class.
Barbara realizes the difference between her own situation and Caroline's resilience.

Drug Testing Insights

Understands how drug testing hampers workers’ job mobility and adds significant stress.
Completing drug tests highlights systemic issues within employment practices.

Job Offers and Confusion

Secures jobs at both Wal-Mart and Menards, but struggles with conflicting schedules and exhaustion.
Reflects on the lack of negotiation opportunities in job hiring processes.

Experience at the Clearview Inn

Declares Clearview Inn potentially "the worst motel in the country", characterizing it as moldy and unsafe.
Observes the vulnerability faced by poor women in precarious living situations.

Employment at Wal-Mart

Assigned to the ladies' wear department; her tasks revolve around making the area "shoppable", often neglecting customer assistance.
Feels contemptuous towards the work structure and finds initial days lack urgency.

Team Dynamics

Enjoys working with empathetic colleagues like Ellie but dislikes Howard's strictness during meetings.
Measures workload in terms of carts returned, highlighting the inefficiency of the shopping process.

Final Thoughts

Barbara's experiences shed light on the complexities of low-wage work, housing instability, and the constant juggling of economic demands.### Work Environment Observations
Alyssa inquires about a clearance item at Wal-Mart, highlighting employee struggles with affordability on low wages.
Barbara observes the living conditions of neighboring workers, noting inadequate sleeping arrangements.

Internal Struggles and Dynamics

Barbara perceives the owner's wife as limited in her cleaning duties, suggesting a background of arranged marriage and potential language barriers.
Melissa’s act of kindness in bringing food to Barbara contrasts with corporate penny-pinching mentality, emphasizing camaraderie among workers.

Shift Changes and Workload

Barbara's shift changing impacts her break management, forcing her to multitask essential needs in limited time.
Attitude shift occurs where Barbara grows resentful of customers, recognizing a shift from initial helpfulness to frustration with shopper behavior.

Interactions with Colleagues

A confrontation occurs with a new employee about T-shirt organization, reflecting tensions in workplace dynamics.
Barbara begins to worry about becoming a harsher version of herself after noticing changes in her personality during her time at Wal-Mart.

Housing Challenges

Barbara faces housing uncertainty when a promised room becomes unavailable, reflecting the struggle for affordable living.
Attempts to secure a second job are thwarted by Rainbow supermarket's demand for full-time hours, complicating her financial situation.

Community Resources and Support

YWCA directs Barbara to Budget Lodging, but she finds it unsuitable, reflecting on the difficulty of finding affordable accommodation.
Reaching out to Caroline provides Barbara a moment of reassurance, reinforcing her sense of connection despite isolation.

Financial Strain and Job Market Realities

Barbara’s financial strain is highlighted when she realizes her earnings from Wal-Mart are insufficient after three weeks.
Last-ditch efforts to find housing lead to a recommendation for a homeless shelter, signaling desperation.

Reflection on Job Experience and Wage Issues

Barbara connects household duties to her work, suggesting working mothers may treat stores like Wal-Mart as a break.
Isabelle and Melissa share experiences about using lower wages to survive, revealing the shared struggles employees face.

Union and Worker Rights Awareness

Realizations about the need for a union arise from discussions with coworkers about poor pay and lack of overtime.
Concerns expressed by Stan and Marlene about workplace practices reflect a broader critique of Wal-Mart’s employment strategy.

Personal Decisions and Conclusions

Barbara's contemplation of quitting coincides with a labor strike in the area, hinting at the broader labor movement.
Decisions about "time theft" at work illustrate the pressure employees feel when balancing job demands with personal needs.

Quitting and Future Endeavors

Barbara shares her resignation intentions with coworkers, hinting at a shared dissatisfaction that may lead to others leaving as well.
She discusses her writing project with Melissa, highlighting her desire to document employee experiences and struggles within Wal-Mart.

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Description

Explore key concepts from Chapter 3 of 'Nickel and Dimed' through flashcards. This chapter discusses Barbara's reasons for selecting Minneapolis and other important insights into her experiences and observations. Test your understanding of the material with these flashcards.