I was at Walmart the other day when I overheard a young associate mutter to a coworker, “They’re just too lazy to check themselves out.” I glanced over—and the line was full of customers who were well into their 70s and 80s.

My fury hit me instantly.

Let me set the record straight, kid.

These folks aren’t lazy—they’re the backbone of this country.

While you were gaming, scrolling, or learning to navigate screens, they were working hard—in cotton fields, cotton mills, and harvested crops with no modern tech to assist them. They built the world you walk through today.

To label someone as lazy just because they can’t use self-checkout? That’s ignorance masquerading as judgment.

These same hands you think are idle planted seeds, built factories, carried families. If you ever had to dig up produce from the ground instead of grabbing it off the shelf, guess who’d be teaching you how? That’s right: the people you called lazy.

And remember—those “lazy people” pay your salary. Think about that.

Rather than poking fun from behind your register, maybe offer to help. Scan an item. Bag it. Show them the way. Empathy costs nothing; arrogance costs everything.

As one former associate put it in a viral comment:

“These folks can still work circles around you…they have a work ethic and drive that you probably know nothing about.”

And another added:

“Stop calling the customers lazy people—and take a look in the mirror!”

Be careful how you step on toes—today’s disrespect might be tomorrow’s apology tour.

Let’s get this right: respect every generation. Offer help. Practice patience. And when in doubt—choose kindness.

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