the soupmenu

What does the world think of America ?

Over here in Europe, I open my mouth and people instantly know I’m American. (I don’t see it, but I guess I have some sort of American gravitas) Immediately I will then know exactly what they think about America. A Norwegian friend brought it up the other day how she couldn’t imagine being from a place where everyone in the world has a solid opinion of your country.

Everyone back in the states (thanks to horrible media) has a harder time to know exactly what the world thinks. But take a look at the Wikiquote Page for America. Most of the quotes from Americans are positive. Almost all of the quotes from foreigners are extremely negative.

Sometimes it’s hard to focus on a fly that lands on your nose.

could make an auditorium cheer for a ‘downloads’ folder.

Apple WWDC Keynote

I love potatoes…in all forms….especially in chicken with thyme form…

I have some issues though. Through my travels, I’ve discovered that the whole world has more flavors of chips than what we get in the states. Every once in a while there will be a new flavor for a few months, but then it’s whisked away. What really irks me is that it’s all the same company. Lay’s Chips is basically the biggest chip manufacturer in the world and they have created many great flavors, but leave them to certain regions. I shall compile a list…

Argentina – Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese, Olive Oil and Tomato, Olive Oil and Basil, Greek Tzatziki, Cheese with Onions, Lasagna, Beef Carpaccio with Parmeggiano, Smoked Manchego Cheese.

Australia – Greek Feta & Herb, Cilantro, and Italian Tomato & Basil.

Belgium – Cucumber and Goats Cheese.

Canada – Ketchup, Dill Pickle, Smokey Bacon, Sea Salt & Pepper, Sour Cream & Onion, Roast Chicken, Lightly Salted, Spicy Curry, Wasabi

Chile – Lemon and Cilantro

Greece and Cyprus – Feta Cheese, Tzatziki, Olive and Tomato, Oregano, Sea Salt & Black Pepper.

Peru – Queso Andino (Andean cheese).

South America – Ham, Tomato and Basil, Tomato Parmesan, Hot & Sweet Chili, Oregano.

Southern Asia – “Magic Masala”

Thailand – Nori Seaweed, Green Tea.

United Kingdom – Prawn Cocktail, Beef & Onion, Greek Kebab, Marmite Yeast Extract.

Ukraine – Crab, Bacon, Green Onion
(thanks wikipedia)

Right now I would order a case each of Cucumber, Smokey Bacon, Green Tea, Nori Seaweed, Tzatziki, and Lasagna. Oh…and the Italian flavors are not distributed in Italy.

I really don’t see why these large companies don’t make small production runs of a huge variety of products. Sure, they can have their normal product line. But in today’s world would it be that hard to have an online request system where I can request some new chips to be made, and they’ll ship them out once there’s enough requests to make some on the weekend? Also, you can’t tell me there’d be no market for a ‘tastes of the world’ gift pack. Just have a variety of products available online, and the market will show itself.

Sometimes companies spend all the day trying to figure out what customers want…..instead of just letting them pick.