One of the things we've learned from people about going back to America, is that the overabundance of consumer choices can be paralyzing. There has been no end to the anecdotes from people returning after 2 years (or visiting for the first time in the case of Georgian friends) and being driven into a stupor, even tears, at the prospect of trying to choose a product from a shelf with so very many different choices.
It seems a strange phenomenon, but really, if you want coffee in Georgia, you usually have 2 brands in the local store. During my service, I've seen a doubling and even quadrupling of the choices available for most items. It still doesn't come close to the number of options an American has. The idea of a whole shelf, or whole aisle devoted to coffee seems absolutely bizarre at this point. Ok, it seems bizarrely wonderful as I adore good coffee, but the idea of a whole shelf of different of styles of paper napkins seems bizarrely stupid. Who needs to choose from 10 different kinds of napkins. Couldn't the time and brain energy spent comparing the price, thickness, color and style be better spent some other way. Do we really need more than 2 options (big or small)?
On the other hand, it's strawberry season right now in Georgia. This means that a whole section of the outdoor market is devoted to strawberry, cherry, and other berry vendors. Instead of walking into a store and selecting some strawberries from the produce section, we get to wander up and down rows of different berries tasting and inspecting until we find the best. The berries come from small patches all over Georgia, and each has it's own size, shape, and flavor. Having to drive somewhere just to try a second type of strawberry makes me really wonder how well I'll adapt to life back home. Actually, I can't remember if they even let you taste the produce before you buy it in America. I can't imagine paying for some fruit I haven't personally sampled for quality. Lucky for us, we'll be getting back to Ohio in a good season for fruits and vegetables.
And in case your wondering, 2.2 pounds of the most delicious, juicy, sweet, flavorful strawberries you've ever tasted costs about $1.60.
No, you aren't generally allowed to taste the produce at US grocery stores before buying. Some vendors at our farmer's market do give out samples, though. Enjoy your last months of cheap, delicious produce and freedom from too many napkin choices (:
In the US, produce sampling is limited to looking, squeezing, sniffing, and, in the occasional store, rolling it down the aisle.