Today was a prime demonstration day (for me)...

[audette]

I always used to think it was a bit strange for stores like Trader Joes and such to limit the selections available in a given category of grocery item.

And then, I went shopping at a large grocery store after spending two years shopping at a teeny commissary in Korea...  (seriously, the largest of the commissaries easily available to me had a footprint smaller than a large home...  it was small)

Today's trip was to a mid-range grocery store that was at least 10-15 times the size of that commissary.  At least.  I might even put it closer to 20 times the size.

And I found that over and over and over again, while shopping, I'd stand in front of a collection of x item (say olive oil, which was on my list today), and freeze up, trying to decide which of the eleventy-billion options of olive oil I wanted.  Did I want this brand, or that one, or the store brand, or this other brand I recognize from working in an Italian restaurant ages ago, or this other brand that I knew made oils, but didn't realize they now made olive oils, or do I want a flavoured olive oil of some type, and if so, what flavour?  And, do I want plain old olive oil, or light olive oil, or virgin olive oil, or extra virgin.  And then, what size bottle of oil do I want?

Before, I'd be at the commissary and go, "oh gee, they have the large size of extra virgin olive oil in stock today...  I'll get that..."

I ended up getting the same kind of olive oil I bought at the commissary in Korea...  I didn't do that for every item on my list, but certainly for some, and mostly because I recognized them, and it helped me get past the mental freeze-up.

It's going to take a while to get used to "normal" grocery stores again.

[compassrose]

I felt the same way coming back from field work in both Antarctica and Central America. It's totally overwhelming. At least you were able to pick one and move on!

[bugandbibs]

I feel this way on Amazon sometimes.

[tacom]

this, along with the obnoxious XXL carts, are some of the main reasons I avoid "normal" grocery stores.

trader joe's for life!

[panicked]

Been there, done that! Target gave me a legit case of nerves/vertigo when I walked in for the first time after coming back stateside.

[nsl]

I remember standing in the snack food/chip aisle with my high school BFF while she dissolved into tears at how overwhelming the choices were after spending a year in India.

[VillainV]

Yep! Have you been to Target or BB&B yet since you've been back??? Those still amaze me.

[audette]

Feb 15, 2015 20:15:39 GMT -5 nsl said:

I remember standing in the snack food/chip aisle with my high school BFF while she dissolved into tears at how overwhelming the choices were after spending a year in India.

I didn't -quite- tear up, but I did have a few of the store employees ask me if I was finding everything OK... Which was incredibly awkward to answer...

And, VillainV - yep, I've been to both target and BB&B, but at those I was just looking for 1 or 2 things, max. That made it much easier to handle.  Today was an attempt to get enough groceries to make at least a half week of meals.  So it was a sizable grocery list.  Not crazy-huge, but big enough when dealing with having absolutely _no_ pantry items.

[audette]

And, I'm totally proud of the fact I only bought a few things that weren't on my list (mmm... berries and red bell peppers), and only forgot one item (that I didn't write down)...

[jennybee1018]

I haven't experienced this yet (still an ex-pat), but I've have definitely heard about it. To go from having no choice to almost too many choices is overwhelming! Hope it starts to get easier for you!!!

[alleinesein]

Feb 15, 2015 20:15:39 GMT -5 nsl said:

I remember standing in the snack food/chip aisle with my high school BFF while she dissolved into tears at how overwhelming the choices were after spending a year in India.

Im guessing that your BFF never went to the Rice aisle or the oil aisle in an Auchan while she was in India.  Entire aisles devoted to cooking oils and different varieties of rice.  Puts our choices to shame.  The actual grocery stores in India have a ton of variety; its the little corner markets that lack any real choice in brands.  

[emilyinchile]

I feel like this every time I go to the grocery store in the US. So many things!

[UnderProtest]

Oh dear, this is what I have to look forward to? I'm just thrilled by the prospect of any kind of customer service.

[gatsby]

I was watching a special about Costco (because my life is exciting like that) and they were talking about how they very intentionally only carry one or two brands of most items, with the second usually being the Kirkland brand. Initially it seems counterintuitive to limit your selection as a retailer, but the more I thought about it the more sense it made. It is easy to shop there because I don't have to think. Need peanut butter? Jiff it is. Next.

[audette]

I think I'm going to accept that for the first half year to year my grocery costs are going to be high, partly because I'm just going to grab something out of the options at random, and partly because I'm fascinated at all the out of season produce options...

[audette]

Feb 16, 2015 18:00:01 GMT -5 gatsby said:

I was watching a special about Costco (because my life is exciting like that) and they were talking about how they very intentionally only carry one or two brands of most items, with the second usually being the Kirkland brand. Initially it seems counterintuitive to limit your selection as a retailer, but the more I thought about it the more sense it made. It is easy to shop there because I don't have to think. Need peanut butter? Jiff it is. Next.

Exactly. And Costco isn't the only one that does this. I'm pretty sure that Trader Joes and Aldi both do it, too. And Walmart. How's that for a weird combination - Costco, Trader Joes, Aldi and Walmart...

[mskitkat]

This is me in Asian markets when I have to pick something up without DH. I had to buy mirin and almost had a panic attack at the 15 different brands.