# What does "Code Pink" mean at WalMart? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 18, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946 "2006-07-18T00:18:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/41 "2006-07-21T01:57:51Z")
[QUOTE=Mathochist] Generally there’s only one “worker” in the room with “customers”. That is, there’s no reason for codes because by the time I can talk with other department members about my theories on how ribbed sweaters are attractive because while generally shrouding curvature they highlight geodesic deviations[1], the students are nowhere around. [1] Seriously, I came up with this back in fall of 2002. It’s not just cooked up as a response to your phrasing. [/QUOTE] In minerology you can describe hotties as being spathic. That is, having good cleavage. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/42 "2006-07-21T01:58:23Z")
At our hospital, code pink means a baby in the neonatal unit can’t breathe or is having some other catastrophe. It’s always something scary and horrible. If I heard it over a Wal-Mart loudspeaker, I’d probably flip out for a few seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/43 "2006-07-21T02:49:58Z")
[QUOTE=Dr\_Paprika] At our hospital, code pink means a baby in the neonatal unit can’t breathe or is having some other catastrophe. It’s always something scary and horrible. If I heard it over a Wal-Mart loudspeaker, I’d probably flip out for a few seconds. [/QUOTE] This might be a bit off-topic (mods, if you want I’ll start a new thread), but do hospital workers really become that reactive? When you hear “code pink”, your body just reacts instinctively rather than rationally thinking you’re off-duty and not at the hospital, so the meaning is probably different? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/44 "2006-07-21T05:10:20Z")
I’ve never heard a “code pink” called at a Wal-Mart, and I’m pretty sure that my reaction would depend on how tired I was. I’ve no doubt that in a few seconds it would occur to me I’m in a stinking Wal-Mart, but IU could easily see my blood pressure going up for a second or two before that suck in. I think emergency doctors might be more reactive than some other specialties. ---
**Author:** ![Mathochist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c89c15/32.png) [@Mathochist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathochist)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/45 "2006-07-21T05:15:01Z")
[QUOTE=Dr\_Paprika] I’ve never heard a “code pink” called at a Wal-Mart, and I’m pretty sure that my reaction would depend on how tired I was. I’ve no doubt that in a few seconds it would occur to me I’m in a stinking Wal-Mart, but IU could easily see my blood pressure going up for a second or two before that suck in. I think emergency doctors might be more reactive than some other specialties. [/QUOTE] I see.. I want to clarify, by the way, that I don’t mean to imply that there’s anything wrong with being hardwired to jump. In fact, I could see that being a very good trait in that line of work. I was just wondering if ER doctors (or other hospital workers) have trouble turning it off when they leave the workplace. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/46 "2006-07-21T09:07:56Z")
[QUOTE=Carlyjay] “Mr. Sands” means fire? [/QUOTE] Yup. It’s how the front of house staff alert each other and so can get the evacuation set up before they sound the alarm and the audience all panic. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/47 "2006-07-21T09:52:14Z")
I’m kinda surprised that hostage situations come up enough that WalMart needs a code word for them. :eek: :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/48 "2006-07-21T10:17:43Z")
[QUOTE=Ranchoth] I’m kinda surprised that hostage situations come up enough that WalMart needs a code word for them. :eek: :dubious: [/QUOTE] Well, they don’t need to come up _that_ often for it to be worthwhile. A bit like in that classic English police film _The Blue Lamp_[sup]\*[/sup] in which, towards the close, the villain has taken refuge in the crowd at a dog-track. The police arrive and explain the emergency to the proprietor. Two words later - “Operation Turnstile” - the ground is being locked down, quietly and without any fiss. Or even fuss. (\*In which dear old Police Sergeant George Dixon is murdered by the scared, gun-toting villain, but revives in time for the iconic spin-off TV series.) ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/49 "2006-07-21T15:30:57Z")
[QUOTE=Ranchoth] I’m kinda surprised that hostage situations come up enough that WalMart needs a code word for them. :eek: :dubious: [/QUOTE] Well, there was that thing a while back about managers locking employees in after hours and not letting them leave until their work is done. Does that count? ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/50 "2006-07-21T15:42:01Z")
[QUOTE=Phase42] Well, there was that thing a while back about managers locking employees in after hours and not letting them leave until their work is done. Does that count? [/QUOTE] I hate to defend Wal-Mart again, but if these people would just… gee, tell someone? There’s a special number for us to call any time there’s problem to let someone at home office know. Posted everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2006, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/51 "2006-07-21T23:16:03Z")
[QUOTE=chaoticbear] I hate to defend Wal-Mart again, but if these people would just… gee, tell someone? There’s a special number for us to call any time there’s problem to let someone at home office know. Posted everywhere. [/QUOTE] So they can call the number and give the “hostage code” to whoever answers? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/52 "2006-07-22T00:20:27Z")
[QUOTE=Mathochist] When you hear “code pink”, your body just reacts instinctively rather than rationally thinking you’re off-duty and not at the hospital, so the meaning is probably different? [/QUOTE] Yes. Military members - particularly pilots, submariners and infantry who depend on their instincts to save them - will react in all sorts of strange ways to stimuli you wouldn’t expect. If someone yells “Fire” in a crowded theater, you can spot the submariners: they’ll be running towards the fire, because on a sub, if you don’t, then everyone dies. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/53 "2006-07-22T00:36:02Z")
[QUOTE=Jurph] Yes. Military members - particularly pilots, submariners and infantry who depend on their instincts to save them - will react in all sorts of strange ways to stimuli you wouldn’t expect. If someone yells “Fire” in a crowded theater, you can spot the submariners: they’ll be running towards the fire, because on a sub, if you don’t, then everyone dies. [/QUOTE] There is a story I read online about an experienced airline pilot who, while driving home after a long flight, realizes that the car in front of him has stopped suddenly. His reaction? Stomp on the accelerator as hard as he can and yank back on the steering wheel. :smack: Unfortunately, this didn’t have the same result for his car as it would have in an airplane. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![gabriela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@gabriela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gabriela)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/54 "2006-07-22T00:55:22Z")
I jump if a strange voice behind me in the store says “Doctor Gabriela”. “Doctor” is my work title. It means I’m about to do an autopsy, talk to a grieving family, or testify in court. Nearly makes me jump out of my shorts when it’s addressed to me when I’m wearing… shorts. Damn medical students. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/55 "2006-07-22T02:30:56Z")
Is it possible they just _want_ to see you jump out of your shorts? Personally, I don’t think I’d mind ;). **chaoticbear** , is it perhaps possible that the particularly unethical Wal-Mart franchises which are locking their employees in, maybe don’t post the complaints number? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/56 "2006-07-22T02:49:08Z")
[QUOTE=leandroc76] uh… yeah, your a smoking hot redhead… “code pink”… you don’t have to work at Walmart to decrypt that! Did I mention your absolutely georgous. {code pink, people! code pink!} [/QUOTE] Agreed. Wow. I’ve never visited any of the Doper Pix threads, and now I suspect I never can (through fear of crushing disappointment with the “real world”). ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/57 "2006-07-22T06:30:17Z")
I can turn off most aspects of my job when I leave the hospital. I don’t think about my job or difficult cases when not at work, I don’t want or expect people to call me “doctor”, I’m pretty good at relaxing and not particularly obsessive. But a “code pink” is a really crappy thing, and when you work in a small hospital, it is a really crappy thing I am likely to become very involved in. If I come across someone in a bad car accident, who has had a major fracture, who collapses on an airplane, etc. – I would feel obliged to help out in these situations. I certainly don’t go looking for trouble, but I have got quite a few free air miles out of this sort of thing. When you leave the workplace, the radar goes way down, but maybe not off. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/58 "2006-07-22T16:29:06Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] Jeez, why have codes if you’re going to blurt out the meaning of it anyway!! (Yep, he definitely meant you if you looked anything like that picture.) I always used “pancake” with my best friend at the time to alert him to guys I thought were cute. [/QUOTE] I don’t know why, but I find myself dying to know what “pancake” has to do with cute guys – how’d you come up with that one? ---
**Author:** ![iwakura43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de0a6/32.png) [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2006, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/59 "2006-07-23T00:26:16Z")
[QUOTE=Asimovian] I don’t know why, but I find myself dying to know what “pancake” has to do with cute guys – how’d you come up with that one? [/QUOTE] It might have something to do with [this](http://www.eiaonline.com/uploaded_images/rabbit_pancake-737190.jpg) (SFW). ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946/60 "2006-08-24T22:30:06Z")
Ah yeah… a “Service 77.” We used that at Cala Foods when I worked there a few years ago. There were quite a few regular 77s, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-code-pink-mean-at-walmart/364946.md?page=4)