Off the Beaten Path: Are Supermarkets a Tourist Attraction?

"Can a supermarket be a tourist attraction?" inquired MSN's Kathleen Flinn on October 28, 2009. Neither travel channel stars nor travel books suggest a trip to the local supermarket for a cultural adventure but can everyday supermarkets become the newest travel hot-spot? What other venues are perfect for the bold tourist?

Museums, natural weather related locations, wonders of the world and so forth have brought tourists time and time again back and forth throughout the hottest travel locations. As a seasoned tourist, I have three specific rules that I always abide by when traveling:

1. Always try to communicate with locals in their own language.

2. Try everything at least three times before forming an opinion.

3. Travel the off-beaten path.

All three rules of equal importance I try to abide by whenever traveling and highly suggest to other tourists. It is pertinent to communicate through the local language. Not only does this assist in getting around but also helps better represent the country you are an unofficial ambassador representing. Secondly try everything at least three times to assure that you have given justice a try when it comes to foods, transportation and et cetera. Foods can be prepared with the chefs own personal flair and may taste different on various occasions due to personal emotions. Transportation could change by the operator, weather conditions, and special events and so on. Hence, it is important to always try everything at least three times to get a full undisclosed opinion.

Finally, when traveling to a new location always try to get off the well known path and try something outside of those pesky travel books. Many travel books are written by non-natives and only mention more popular locations. Yes there are a few original tourist books out there that mention places off the beaten path, such as Anthony Bourdain, however many of his travels are not obtainable unless you have a filming crew and influential contacts. So, I highly suggest reaching out towards the local favorites for some fun and cultural education.

Some of my favorite spots to scope out whichever country I am traveling in at the moment are grocery stores, mom-n-pop restaurants, and even cemeteries. Many tourists never think about these locations but they are first on my list. It may date back to my days legally living in Japan and wanting to grasp the real national culture outside the city skirts of culturally influenced Tokyo. My favorite destination became the grocery stores in all the new locations I went for work.

It is not until you experience everyday live of natives that a tourist really gets the real feeling of what it is like to be one. Travel hot-spots are interesting but there is nothing like feeling as a native while shopping the aisles of foreign foods and gifts. When I lived in Japan, I learned the true cultural studies from what people were purchasing, products being sold and how the intriguing people interacted with one another. It was at the grocery store that I learned Japanese woman are in control over the families finances. Different from my American background, I found it interesting that Japanese husbands had to ask their wives for money to purchase groceries or special items at a Japanese grocery store. In addition, I found that gift giving is like an art, especially when it comes to food gift packages. Aisles upon aisles of pre-packaged gifts are available in just about every grocery store in Japan that are anticipating being given at different occasions which are marked on the labels.

When a tourist places oneself into a grocery store, it is like place a research mouse into a new test box in a laboratory. The surroundings are different but more educational than one would first think. For me, I love being a lab mouse and learning about different everyday lives whether it be psychological behavior or cultural - there is always something to be learnt.

So, the answer to Kathleen Flinn at MSN, YES, grocery stores are an educational and cultural experience that every tourist should place on the "to-do list". Although her short photo slide-show does show a few grocery stores, most are highly popular among tourists already and are geared towards them. For instance a few of her selections among the nine was Harrod's in London; Le Grand Epicerie in Paris; Uwajimaya in Seattle; and Depachikas in Tokyo which are all world-famous. In my opinion, these are the ones to venture to once if there is time but the local grocery stores are the ones tourists should be encouraged to put on the list.

Even if you are short on time, the local grocery store is always just around the corner so there is plenty of time to adventure on a short trip. Here are my suggestions to make your trip to the local grocery store educational and enjoyable.

Tip #1: Try watching shoppers inside the store while they interact with other shoppers and employees

Tip #2: Look through the aisles at products that have multiple brands and types. These are usually a popular product in that country. For instance, in Japan a grocery store is not a grocery store without a least one row of sake.

Tip #3: If time allows, sit down and have a coffee while watching the locals come in and out of the grocery store. Many grocery stores have coffee shops inside of just across the street where one can enjoy a coffee while watching locals grocery shop.

Tip #4: Purchase a few things that are "foreign" to you. You can ask locals what is popular in the area or even the employees themselves. Most people are more than happy to help foreigners find something that is ethnic to that area. I have found the best gifts and products by using this method.

Tip #5: Go with an open mind to have the best experience. Remember to ask someone to take photos, just be sure with an employee that photos are allowed. Mention you are a foreigner and most stores will allow you to video tape or take as many photos as you wish as long as it is strictly for personal usage.

Grocery stores are a wonderful travel hot-spot and should be on the list of things to do when entering someplace new whether it is in your own country or another one. It is a free experience that you will remember for your entire lifetime and you might even make some native friends in the meantime.