Differences

When I'm in Asia I'm usually writing about new experiences.  When I come home I don't necessarily have new experiences but I have been living in Asia long enough to notice certain differences when I come back to the US.  I typically don't blog too much when I'm back in the US but am going to try and do better about it this time.  I think that pointing out the things that are probably common things to all of you but that now stick out a bit to me will give me a lot of opportunities to blog.

This past weekend Alan and I went grocery shopping.  This is a weekly errand that we all do.  I even do it in Asia.  The difference is the size of the grocery store and the variety of items that we have here.  The one aisle where this really stuck out was in the cereal aisle.  At our Harris Teeter store we have a super long aisle where one entire side is all cereal...100s of options.  In Singapore there are maybe 20-30 different cereals and that is in the largest store.  This was very noticeable to us when we were on the prowl for Rice Krispies last December. 

It makes sense that there are less cereal options in Asia because they don't have separate breakfast foods.  Most locals will eat noodles, sandwiches, or basically anything you would eat for another meal for breakfast.  I am personally of the opinion that food eaten in the morning should be breakfast food and that breakfast food should not be eaten for lunch or dinner.  Of course, on occasion having pancakes or Alan McMuffins (yummy egg dish that Alan makes me) for dinner is a nice treat but should not...I repeat...should not become common practice.

I wonder what people from Asia think when they turn onto the cereal aisle at the grocery store?  Are they excited about it?  Do they think it is odd that we have so many options for the morning meal?  Do Cocoa Puffs and Fruity Pebbles and Froot Loops look appetizing to them?

The next time you are at the grocery store take a minute to really appreciate all of the cereal options.  You might find yourself someday living someplace where you can't choose from so many choices.

And...you people haven't commented in AGES...so...audience participation time.  What are your thoughts on eating breakfast for dinner and dinner for breakfast?