I am growing more and more disturbed by something - no, its not the apparent final breakup of Cheryl and Ashley Cole, its not that Colleen Nolan is leaving Loose Women, its not even how Amy Winehouse's father is handing out her clothing to fans in front of her house - what has me disturbed is the influx of American stores and products to the UK market.
The first major introduction (or re-intoduction actually) was in June 2010 when Taco Bell opened at Lakeside. Americans all across the UK rejoiced and begged Taco Bell UK to come to their town, and I will admit "back then", I was rather happy about this and pledged to go ASAP (although I never actually went until last weekend and strangely enough, honestly, it wasnt very good). Then you started seeing Mountain Dew (albeit some icky energy drink version) in every store, then I discovered (with absolute delight and now incredible guilt at my delight) that Bucca Di Beppo has a few restaurants in the UK, then Forever 21 opened on Oxford Street and news broke today that William-Sonoma will be coming to London in early 2012 ... and now disturbia has set in...Where does it end??
What's wrong with what is already here? I don't want my High Street looking like an American shopping mall. I don't like the idea that something is "better" because it's American. I like embracing the British alternatives for things I used to enjoy and discovering new things to crave. I like going back to America and re-enjoying things I used to love with new vigor and appreciation. I've already lived in America; now I live here and I don't want it to try to be the same place.
Am I the only American expat who doesnt embrace the Americanization of her new country? Am I the only one who now wants to go buy cheap clothes at Primark, eat at Zizzis and buy some overpriced kitchen items at Harrods in protest of the new American options?
I'm afraid I probably am...
Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts
Friday, 29 July 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
The Ranch Dressing Fixation
What is it with American expats and ranch dressing? I like a good splodge of ranch just as much as the next person and will choose ranch as my dip of choice for french fries, mozzarella sticks, carrots, pizza crust and just about anything else dippable, but I am continually amazed at how many expats act as if they've lost an arm when they lose the ability to buy ranch dressing at their local grocery store.
Not surprisingly, ranch dressing has been the most popular salad dressing in America since 1992 and can be found in just about any restaurant and any store that sells food of any kind. An American who has lived in America their whole lives couldn't dare to imagine a day the creamy goodness wasn't readily available... Until they move to the UK....
Here's what happens: A happy expat gets up the courage to visit his/her local supermarket (as discussed previously here) ready to stock their undersized UK fridge with a few necessities and head to the condiment aisle. Ketchup? "Check". Mustard? "Where's the French's bright yellow stuff? That’s ok. I can do without the mustard" Ranch dressing? .... Ranch dressing? ..... The salad dressing shelves are nearly bare in comparison to the heaving shelves they are used to in America and there is NO RANCH DRESSING. Gasp! Bring on the heaving breathing, the heart palpitations and try not to faint. Sit down while I tell you that it's true - 99% of grocery stores in the UK will not sell ranch dressing. Do not panic. You will survive without it. And more importantly, it doesn’t make this a bad place because it's natives do not enjoy the fatty (15 grams of fat in 2tbs) creaminess that is ranch dressing.
My unsolicited advice: You know that saying "when in Rome"? Well, if you're a recent expat or thinking of making the move, you're in (or will be in) "Rome" now and don't make it harder on yourself by dwelling on the unavailability (is that a word?) of silly things like ranch dressing, or Triscuts, or Paul Newman salad dressing or whatever you're having trouble finding UK. Have a bit of fun trying out local alternatives or if you must have your ranch fix, order it from one of the very many American food vendors (my favourite is this one). Remember, there is more to life than popular American condiments, no matter how delicious and versatile they may be.
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| Photo: Facebook |
Not surprisingly, ranch dressing has been the most popular salad dressing in America since 1992 and can be found in just about any restaurant and any store that sells food of any kind. An American who has lived in America their whole lives couldn't dare to imagine a day the creamy goodness wasn't readily available... Until they move to the UK....
Here's what happens: A happy expat gets up the courage to visit his/her local supermarket (as discussed previously here) ready to stock their undersized UK fridge with a few necessities and head to the condiment aisle. Ketchup? "Check". Mustard? "Where's the French's bright yellow stuff? That’s ok. I can do without the mustard" Ranch dressing? .... Ranch dressing? ..... The salad dressing shelves are nearly bare in comparison to the heaving shelves they are used to in America and there is NO RANCH DRESSING. Gasp! Bring on the heaving breathing, the heart palpitations and try not to faint. Sit down while I tell you that it's true - 99% of grocery stores in the UK will not sell ranch dressing. Do not panic. You will survive without it. And more importantly, it doesn’t make this a bad place because it's natives do not enjoy the fatty (15 grams of fat in 2tbs) creaminess that is ranch dressing.
My unsolicited advice: You know that saying "when in Rome"? Well, if you're a recent expat or thinking of making the move, you're in (or will be in) "Rome" now and don't make it harder on yourself by dwelling on the unavailability (is that a word?) of silly things like ranch dressing, or Triscuts, or Paul Newman salad dressing or whatever you're having trouble finding UK. Have a bit of fun trying out local alternatives or if you must have your ranch fix, order it from one of the very many American food vendors (my favourite is this one). Remember, there is more to life than popular American condiments, no matter how delicious and versatile they may be.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Ready for Rain!
The sun came out today and as I have come to expect of most British people I know, every single one of my colleagues went for a walk during their lunch breaks and upon their return released a moan/sigh noise which sounded somewhere in between post-orgasmic bliss and as if they'd just been treated to a free massage (they are always better if they're free, aren't they?).
Being naturally disagreeable, it got me wishing for rain and thinking of one of the best things about living in what is often considered a rainy place - the ease at which you can justify buying multiple cute umbrellas, even if they are insanely overpriced!
Here are a few that are so cute, you may even join me and wish for rain!
Being naturally disagreeable, it got me wishing for rain and thinking of one of the best things about living in what is often considered a rainy place - the ease at which you can justify buying multiple cute umbrellas, even if they are insanely overpriced!
Here are a few that are so cute, you may even join me and wish for rain!
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| Mademoiselle Young Miss $72.00 Umbrellas.net |
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| Lulu Guinness Birdcage by Fulton £32.00 Lulu Guinesss |
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| Lulu Guiness Cameo Stripe Eliza £35.00 Lulu Guiness |
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| Pasotti Rosa Turquoise £250.00 SimplyUmbrellas.co.uk |
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