Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Standing in the queue at the busy supermarket the other day, I noticed a curious thing (aside from the weird stuff that everyone else seemed to be buying – it was like they were in a different shop).
The shopping trolleys here (or ‘carts’ as they call them) have cupholders. Right behind the handle are two wire receptacles for the beverage of your choice.
This is getting ridiculous.
German automotive engineers have been known to weep like babies when they get the feedback from testing their new ultimate driving machines in the US: ‘handling, safety, engine management, transmission . . . all that stuff is fine. But there’s nowhere to put my 50-ounce Big Gulp cup of Dr Pepper.’
But now it seems some Americans can’t be driving any sort of wheeled vehicle without access to a sugary soda or a grande double decaf soy mocha latte.
The supermarkets often have juice and coffee counters, so you can get smoothies or your cup of joe. I thought it was mainly for takeaway, but now I see that people refuel while they’re shopping.
Not exactly cafe society.