In Praise of the American Supermarket

Though overly time-conscious Americans could definitely learn a thing or two from the Parisians, the grocery store is one place where efficiency and organization ought to take precedence.

Grocery shopping in Paris is not a one-stop shopping experience.  While the city has its many supermarkets, it also has its countless, preferred specialty shops: patisseries, boulangeries, caves du vin, boucherie, fromageries (pastry shops, bakeries, wine shops, butchers, cheese shops) … While some Parisians have resigned to buying everything they need at their neighborhood supermarket, most of them are still very particular when it comes to buying their baguettes, brie, and Bordeaux.

Being American, however, meant that I frequently relied on the corner Carrefour to take care of all of my shopping needs… although the “one-stop shopping experience” didn’t exactly prove to be more convenient…

Regardless of the time of day, the small isles were packed and the lines were always unbearably long.  Despite the ten people waiting on-line, cashiers often stopped to chat with their co-workers or fellow customers.  Not to mention, often times, instead of waiting patiently, many of the customers simply cut into another line.

Needless to say, though being back in America has left me longing for the smell of freshly baked bread while passing la boulangerie every morning en route to la fac, I do not miss grocery shopping in Paris.

I will unabashedly admit that I became overly excited upon entering the grocery store yesterday… so much space, so many products, such organization! My shopping experience only improved when I approached the checkout line… there was an express lane that was actually express!  And not only was the cashier completely uninterested in anything other than moving me through the line as quickly as possible, there was someone at the end of the counter to bag my groceries, just to ensure maximum efficiency!

Though overly time-conscious Americans could definitely learn a thing or two from the Parisians who do not hesitate to “stop and smell the roses,” the grocery store is one place where efficiency and organization ought to take precedence.