In Japan, many "deli-style" places that sell food have a little section in front with samples for you to try. Japanese people haven't the slightest qualm about munching down on one or two samples and moving on to the next booth without a thought. Apparently, people on vacation have been known to actually fill themselves this way in lieu of meals (*cough* you know who you are).
Maybe this is a personal thing, but I can't take and eat a sample without feeling at least some semblance of guilt for not taking interest in the store in question. Perhaps it's a waste of my time and energy, but I feel some sort of obligation to show an interest in the store's wares. I see all the time people walk to a booth/store, take the sample, and walk straight away without a backward glance.
Is this just me, or am I carrying with me some sort of cultural guilt?
Comments
oi. you are your mother's son.
Posted by: ma | October 4, 2006 11:18 PM
It's just you.
Posted by: roy | October 5, 2006 2:19 PM
Roy is not to be trusted in this case.
Posted by: Justin | October 5, 2006 6:53 PM
Does this guilt cause you to break out in a sweat? 'Cause we know that can't go anywhere good!
You should only feel guilty if you like what you've sampled and don't go ahead and buy some.
If you don't like it, what's the harm? It's just another form of advertising.
Posted by: Ibadairon | October 5, 2006 10:58 PM
there's only one way to get over this silly guilt, i think you need to take the entire plate of samples next time and walk straight away without a backwards glance.
yup... the entire plate.
Posted by: Kungfutrip | October 6, 2006 2:15 AM