[ethbr1]

There's two takes on America.

One: It's terrible that you're shopping at a big box hardware retailer instead of a local hardware store and drinking high fructose mass market soda.

The other: Home Depot usually has what's needed, at a decent price, nearby. And Coke from the cooler next to the cash register is convenient, cold, and delicious.

Neither of these are wrong, and they're both worth keeping simultaneously in mind: life should be both aspirational and satisfying.

[mc32]

The French, I guess kinda the paragons of mom and pop (well along with Italy and Japan) still built out lots of carrefours where lots of people go shopping for stuff while still enjoying the corner pastry shop and non-chain coffee shop.

As you say it’s not one or the other.

[com2kid]

Just went to my neighborhood HW store yesterday. They didn't have any of what I needed, so now I'll be going to Home Depot.

I just wanted some landscaping rocks. I didn't think I was asking for much....