the average Chinese market

Now, you have to understand, the social consciousness is not exactly the forte of Chinese culture.

I should know, I’m one.

These average Chinese supermarket on the weekend is somewhat of a nightmare. The number of carts being pushed around and/or parked by different aisles seems inversely proportionate to the amount of aisles that any grocery store tries to cram in. And if you think Asians can’t drive (typical stereotype), you should see the cart driving skills.

Hey, I’m Chinese, I’m allowed to make fun of my own race.

Now, this time of the year is especially bad. With the coming of Chinese New Year, everyone is in a rush to stock up. Move over last-minute-Christmas-shopping, you can’t compare.

So this weekend consisted of rushing from one grocery store to another, finding just the right box of cookies or candies to give to our extended family or neighbors, buying sacks of rice to top the rice bucket off at home (superstition/feng shui), hauling around cases and cases of fruit and the list goes on. By this time, you are really building up not only your biceps, but also your navigation skills, haggling skills and best of all, the serve-me-first skills.

You know how in the deli, you line up waiting to be served? Yeah…good luck with that at the meat and fish stands.

So why multiple grocery stores as well? Two reasons. Sometimes one place just doesn’t have that particular kind of fish or item you really really want. Fair enough. Second reason? The other store is 10 cents cheaper! I kid you not. Most Chinese, especially the older generation, just can’t stand the thought of buying something for a little more price when they know that they’re selling it cheaper next door, nevermind the gas price. Yes, even though the grocery stores are right next to each other, the tendency is still to drive. <sarcasm>Afterall, those bags are heavy. </sarcasm>

And let’s not even discuss the actual parking lots outside…

~ by darksilvercorbi on February 4, 2008.