# How do women in poverty become obese? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 12, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123 "2017-07-12T20:14:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2017, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/202 "2017-07-19T23:07:51Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Yeah that was a poor choice in wording on my part. Saying that I felt as if I were starving myself wasn’t accurate. I should have said that it felt, mentally, as if I hadn’t eaten but a tiny bit of what I should have eaten for that day, despite eating over 60% of my normal caloric needs. It made me realize just how easy it is to eat waay too many calories without even really noticing or feeling it. Cool, thanks for answering. Just wondering if you were actually feeling hungry, or it just seemed like you hadn’t eaten enough. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2017, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/203 "2017-07-20T04:25:00Z")
One factor is simply that depressed or otherwise down people very often eat to self medicate. And lack of money, up to a certain point, does increase the likelihood of this. It doesn’t take much to get to the actual different rates. We don’t need some fundamental difference, just a small one. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/204 "2017-07-23T13:15:53Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Shit, I get the\* cashier \*making comments about what I’m buying. I’m not ashamed to say I had a itchy butt at one point and debated over getting Tucks. When I saw that Tucks is basically witch hazel, I opted for the cheaper bottle of witch hazel. Good thing, since the cashier took her time examining each item and repeating the name of it out loud. > > Thank goodness for self-checkout. This drives me nuts. “Is that good?” No, I’m buying it because it sucks. Then again, I remind myself that these people spend all day ringing people up in a grocery store. That can’t be too exciting. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/205 "2017-07-23T14:01:26Z")
Yeah, but no matter how bored I get ringing people up I still need to behave myself. My comments are more typically “How do you use/cook that item?” or “stocking up or having a big party?”. I don’t comment about birth control items, what I consider poor food/health choices, or anything that might be considered an “intimate” item, like underwear (fancy or not). I’m not too fond of being put on the spot “What do YOU think about X?” Um… well, I’m not you. We have been having a promo giving away a free pint of a new type of ice cream and when asked I can say I’ve only had one customer say they didn’t care for it, which is true. If pressed I might say “I liked it” or “I didn’t care for it” but add “that’s strictly my opinion, if you like X type of food you might like Y better than I do”. Like “I don’t care for cilantro, but it certainly does _look_ fresh today, and it smells like cilantro should.” I _will_ say something if I notice something wrong with the food “This package is open”. “Are you aware there is a moldy strawberry in this container?” “Um… this avocado is _squishy_, are you sure you want this one?” ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/206 "2017-07-24T06:04:47Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Yeah, but no matter how bored I get ringing people up I still need to behave myself. > > My comments are more typically “How do you use/cook that item?” or "stocking up or having a big party? This always pisses me off. I go to the store to buy my food, not make small talk with somebody who wants to discuss my food items with me. Why the hell should I have to explain my food purchase to the person cashiering? Maybe I want to eat 3 gallons of ice cream myself. Maybe I don’t want to explain it’s for a funeral. The fact that you’re ringing me up doesn’t give you the right to make me have to discuss it with you. It’s not helpful, it’s not friendly, and I’m not here to satisfy your curiosity about what I’m buying and why. This is why you see people using self-checkout when there are open lanes. They don’t want to make small talk with bored, nosy cashiers. If you want to know his to cook something, myob andgoogle it. Don’t quiz me about why I’m buying it. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/207 "2017-07-24T07:48:49Z")
OTOH, my own recipes tend to be simpler than anything anybody will find in a site or book about cooking and I’m happy to give them to people. Different strokes and all that. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/208 "2017-07-24T13:11:24Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > This always pisses me off. I go to the store to buy my food, not make small talk with somebody who wants to discuss my food items with me. Why the hell should I have to explain my food purchase to the person cashiering? Maybe I want to eat 3 gallons of ice cream myself. Maybe I don’t want to explain it’s for a funeral. The fact that you’re ringing me up doesn’t give you the right to make me have to discuss it with you. It’s not helpful, it’s not friendly, and I’m not here to satisfy your curiosity about what I’m buying and why. This is why you see people using self-checkout when there are open lanes. They don’t want to make small talk with bored, nosy cashiers. If you want to know his to cook something, myob andgoogle it. Don’t quiz me about why I’m buying it. I think you misunderstand. I take the cue off the customers. Some of them ARE chatty, very chatty, and if I _didn’t_ say something they would not be happy and I’ve ever had people complain I’m not friendly enough because I didn’t say anything. Then there are people such as yourself who just want to get your stuff and go. I can’t “make” you say anything. And I’m expected to be a goddamned mind reader and figure out in 1.2354 seconds which sort of customer you are. If you don’t want to chat it’s actually a relief because otherwise I’m talking for _eight straight hours_. If a cashier is too chatty for you _say so_ - “I’m in a hurry and don’t feel like making small talk” or something of the sort. I once walked into a drug store which is infamous for the long corporate-speech the cashiers were required to say and told the lady “I’m in a really big hurry and I want you to skip the usual script and get me out in a hurry” and that’s exactly what she did - skip the speech, ring me up, and get me out in record time. Just don’t bitch when I say the corporation-required speech at the beginning of your order (unless you explicitly tell me to skip it) or, if I don’t know what a particular exotic vegetable or fruit is, don’t bitch if I ask you what it is so I can properly ring up your order. And if you want to use the self-checkout because you loathe human contact go right ahead, it’s no skin off my nose. Options are good, so use 'em. The jobs those lanes took were gone already when I started this job, and I don’t fear being unemployed by automation anymore because that’s already happened - that’s how I wound up a cashier. For every person who prefers no human contact there’s another who demands it, and they’ll keep me busy through retirement. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/209 "2017-07-25T01:12:18Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I think you misunderstand. > > I take the cue off the customers. Some of them ARE chatty, very chatty, and if I _didn’t_ say something they would not be happy and I’ve ever had people complain I’m not friendly enough because I didn’t say anything. > > Then there are people such as yourself who just want to get your stuff and go. I can’t “make” you say anything. > > And I’m expected to be a goddamned mind reader and figure out in 1.2354 seconds which sort of customer you are. > > If you don’t want to chat it’s actually a relief because otherwise I’m talking for _eight straight hours_. If a cashier is too chatty for you _say so_ - “I’m in a hurry and don’t feel like making small talk” or something of the sort. I once walked into a drug store which is infamous for the long corporate-speech the cashiers were required to say and told the lady “I’m in a really big hurry and I want you to skip the usual script and get me out in a hurry” and that’s exactly what she did - skip the speech, ring me up, and get me out in record time. > > Just don’t bitch when I say the corporation-required speech at the beginning of your order (unless you explicitly tell me to skip it) or, if I don’t know what a particular exotic vegetable or fruit is, don’t bitch if I ask you what it is so I can properly ring up your order. > > And if you want to use the self-checkout because you loathe human contact go right ahead, it’s no skin off my nose. Options are good, so use 'em. The jobs those lanes took were gone already when I started this job, and I don’t fear being unemployed by automation anymore because that’s already happened - that’s how I wound up a cashier. For every person who prefers no human contact there’s another who demands it, and they’ll keep me busy through retirement. No, YOU misunderstand. Small talk is “How’s the weather?” or “Did you find everything?” Not “Why are you buying that?” “Are you having a party or just stocking up?” You shouldn’t be commenting on a person’s purchase items unless they bring it up. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/210 "2017-07-25T01:19:46Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > “Why are you buying that?” “Are you having a party or just stocking up?” I think the first question is obviously inappropriate but “Are you having a party or just stocking up?” seems like a totally harmless, small-talky thing to say. Especially when you consider the context: someone buying party supplies in bulk. I can’t imagine a better line for small talk in that situation, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Hocus\_Pocus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/41988e/32.png) [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/211 "2017-07-25T02:41:04Z")
Broomstick, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your contributions to this thread. They’ve been on the money (no pun intended)! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/212 "2017-07-25T04:31:32Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > No, YOU misunderstand. Small talk is “How’s the weather?” or “Did you find everything?” Not “Why are you buying that?” “Are you having a party or just stocking up?” You shouldn’t be commenting on a person’s purchase items unless they bring it up. And see, others will complain because the checker _didn’t_ chat with them. and some complain about canned comments like “Did you find everything?”. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/213 "2017-07-25T04:46:47Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > No, YOU misunderstand. Small talk is “How’s the weather?” or “Did you find everything?” Not “Why are you buying that?” “Are you having a party or just stocking up?” You shouldn’t be commenting on a person’s purchase items unless they bring it up. I think you need to get a grip and realize that not everyone is you. As I said, I have to take my cue from the customer. Some are very chatty. Some are not. Presumably, you are not and I’d take my cue from that and probably say very little to you. Other people will fill me in, unprompted, with all manner of details about their life. Some of my customers are even _regulars_ - I see them a couple times a week so we’re no longer complete strangers. And, by the way - my company specifically no longer wants us to say “did you find everything?” because, by the time you get to the checkout no one usually wants to wait while we send a runner back to get said item, if we even carry it or have it currently in stock. I NEVER say “why are you buying that?” because that’s just stupid. Obviously you’re buying it because you need or want it. If someone is purchasing $60 worth of kale (and yes, someone really did that) I might ask “do you mind if I ask why you need so much kale?” but if they said it was none of my business I wouldn’t pry. When someone came in and purchased our entire stock of a particular motor oil (a palette and a half worth) I did admit to curiosity about such a large purchase and he related that he owned a small fleet of trucks for which he did the oil changes and our price that week was extraordinarily good, at which point I asked a manager if perhaps we could order in bulk for his gentleman, and/or the best way for him to become aware of similar sales in the future. So now when we have sales like that we know to order extra because this guy is coming in for motor oil. Yeah, how horrible, I helped this guy get what he wants not just now but in the future for a good price. Another time a lady came in and cleaned out our stock of cilantro. Then left half of it behind. Well, because I’d asked why she was buying so much cilantro we knew what restaurant to call to tell them half their cilantro was still in our store and they were able to call her, she turned around, came back, and got what she’d left behind. In other words, it’s not always a bad thing. If you don’t want such questions them don’t purchase a palette and a half of motor oil at a time from a retail store, or enough kale at one time to fill not one but two large shopping carts, or clean out our entire stock of cilantro at once including whatever we have in the back room. Really unusual purchases like that will raise an eyebrow. Given that such purchases also deplete our stock to the point we have to put in an emergency request for more stuff we might like to know if you intend to come back tomorrow for even more. But hey - if someone would rather not say I’m OK with that, too. I get a lot of curmudgeons who don’t want to talk. I’m OK with that. It’s a relief after a dozen chatty Cathys. Cashiers are not mind-readers, and I have to deal with ALL sorts of people, not just you. If you want something, or don’t want something, then TELL THE CASHIER instead of making her or him guess. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/214 "2017-07-25T04:47:50Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > and some complain about canned comments like “Did you find everything?”. My company got so many complaints about that one they stopped doing it entirely. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/215 "2017-07-25T05:44:58Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I NEVER say “why are you buying that?” because that’s just stupid. Obviously you’re buying it because you need or want it. Isn’t this a contradiction? You claim that you NEVER say “why are you buying that”, but it’s OK if it’s kale or motor oil? :dubious: And palette? Really? ---
**Author:** ![Hocus\_Pocus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/41988e/32.png) [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/216 "2017-07-25T09:37:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > and some complain about canned comments like “Did you find everything?”. To which I always respond “Why, are you hiding some stuff?” ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/217 "2017-07-25T13:14:45Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Isn’t this a contradiction? You claim that you NEVER say “why are you buying that”, but it’s OK if it’s kale or motor oil? :dubious: I think you fail to understand “context” and “exceptions to the rule for a good reason”. If someone came in and bought our entire stock of bullet wouldn’t you _want_ someone to ask why? > [@](#): > > And palette? Really? Palette and a half. Really. Before I started working at this place I was oblivious to people who purchase massive amounts of an item but it happens somewhat often, probably once a week we get someone requesting something of the sort (most recently was a couple who wanted to buy out all our general mills cereals - that was a no, because that sale had a per customer limit. We’ve also had that problem with sales of 2-liter soda bottles, a single person attempting to purchase four large carts worth of soda. Again, exceeded the stated sales limit). But I assume this is just you looking to nitpick again, rather than address content. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/218 "2017-07-25T13:28:53Z")
I’m a store cashier, and I also take my cue from customers. If someone comments on something, I answer them back. If someone is buying a lot of paper cups, plates and napkins, I will ask “What’s the event?” I once asked a man buying twenty-five packs of Krazy Glue “I have to ask. What are you doing with all this glue?” He answered “I’m a mortician. We use a lot of it.” I responded “I’m not going to go into that.” We laughed. But if a customer doesn’t seem to want to talk, I ring and bag them, take the money and say “Thank you.” ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/219 "2017-07-25T13:30:33Z")
He might have meant that it’s spelled “pallet”. But I agree with his point – I should be able to buy whatever you are selling, in whatever quantity, without raising any eyebrows. I mean, the motor oil was way on sale; couldn’t you just assume why someone might want to buy a lot of it? ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/220 "2017-07-25T14:34:14Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > But I agree with his point – I should be able to buy whatever you are selling, in whatever quantity, without raising any eyebrows. I mean, the motor oil was way on sale; couldn’t you just assume why someone might want to buy a lot of it? This. “Good Morning” “Thank You” and “Have a Nice Day” is ALL that is required at the checkout. And I respond in kind with “Good Morning” “You’re Welcome” and “You too”. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123/221 "2017-07-25T15:56:28Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > He might have meant that it’s spelled “pallet”. But I agree with his point – I should be able to buy whatever you are selling, in whatever quantity, without raising any eyebrows. I mean, the motor oil was way on sale; couldn’t you just assume why someone might want to buy a lot of it? Well, yeah, of course he wanted to buy a lot of it, he WAS buying a lot of it. It was, however, an extraordinary amount he was buying. That’s what was unusual. Keep in mind, too, that some types of illegal activity can show up as unusual purchases. As I said - if someone came in and wanted to purchase every single bullet in our ammunition supplies maybe you’d _want_ to know what was up? If someone pulled up to our gas station and asked for 500 gallons of diesel fuel [_maybe_ it would be in society’s interest to ask what’s up?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANFO#Malicious_use) If someone comes in and attempts to purchase over a certain amount of some types of non-prescription medication we are, in fact, _obligated_ to get law enforcement involved. Yes, most of the time you should be able to purchase whatever you want in whatever quantity (barring stated quantity limitations) but there’s a subset set of circumstances where maybe questions should be asked. Most of the time the purpose is going to be legitimate, and sometimes we might even be able to help you out, but there are instances where maybe things aren’t all OK. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-women-in-poverty-become-obese/791123.md?page=12)