By I live in two countries. I go to school in the USA and, although I spend only three months a year in Bulgaria, I still say that I live in Bulgaria. Both of them have their obvious perks and benefits. Both of them have their obvious negatives. One adjusts to the good and the bad, but we rarely realize how important the little things are. Items and aspects of life we never deemed important turn out to be important once one goes across the pond. Once we lose them, we realize how much we need them. I was thinking about it the other day and I realized how much easier my life in the USA would be with some of these items and brands. Then I realized that the thousands of American students, the thousands of Americans working in Europe and the millions of American tourists probably feel the same way.
What I would appreciate to have in the USA?
United Colors of Benetton—One of my favorite brands with some of the greatest stores. Yes, there are United Colors of Benetton stores in the USA, but not as many as I wished for and their limited items selection is just pathetic. It is an entirely different experience to walk into a colorful United Colors of Benetton store in Europe knowing that you can buy everything you need—t-shirts, jeans, semi-formal dresses, business casual attire…
Sisley – Benetton’s trendy brand targeted toward Gen Y. All my pretty party dresses are with this label and it is sad I’ve never been able to buy these dresses in the USA because I’ve never seen the label. Even if some unknown to me stores sell Sisly, that doesn’t solve the problem. We need more of them.
Cappy – Coca-Cola’s natural juices in glass bottles. Simply delicious and no, they are not like Minute Maid Juice. Blueberries. Peach. Deliciousness!
More Fanta flavors – Another Coca-Cola product. Fanta is on the U.S. market, but not Fanta Madness and not Fanta World. Fanta World introduces a new flavor from a different part of the world every year.
Great cell phones—‘nuff said.
Good wine – There are good wines in the USA. But in Europe one can find good cheap wines. Sometimes cheaper than water.
What Americans would probably appreciate having in Europe?
Hulu – Even I would appreciate having Hulu available in Europe.
Pandora—And we supposedly live in a global village!
Vanilla Coca-Cola—Too many Coca-Cola products in one post, but I know so many Americans who love this soda and can’t imagine life without it.
Starbucks—Let me be more specific: Starbucks on every corner. There are coffee shops on every corner in Europe. Often even more than one on a corner, but Americans have hard time drinking black coffee. There are Starbucks shops in Europe, but not as many.
Cheap stuff—Besides the wine and some other items, almost everything is more expensive in Europe than it is in the USA. Sadly, even European brands. Everyone would be happier with cheaper items in this recession.
Big portions—(Maybe) they are not healthy, but people who have spent their entire lives with big portions do miss them.
If anyone who can change one or more of the items on my list reads this post, please do make our lives easier. Please do make the thousands of international and study abroad students, the millions of people working abroad and the millions of tourists visiting both continents happier.
When I came back from Europe, I think what made me happiest was going to a restaurant and finally having my coke in a ridiculously huge cup again. Coke was so expensive in restaurants in Europe and no one had free refills.
We do have Benetton and Sisley (my roommate owns quite a few items from those), but they're definitely few and far between.
I think it's interesting how culture really drives availability of certain things. I believe Europe is a much more wired and tech-savvy region than the US as a whole. Same in Asia, which is why the demand/availability of higher-end and much “cooler” wireless gadgets are available.
Bigger portions? Well, the US is fat. 'Nuff said. I've heard many stories about how much smaller portions are in Europe relative to the US – a large is equivalent to a US small or medium, and things like that.
Let's also think about how people who are native to those regions would deal with increased availability of such items. I.e., if Pandora or Starbucks or bigger portions were available in Europe, would that forever change the way Europeans listen to music, what they traditionally drink for coffee products, or how they eat? Or would those brands or ideas just die in an unfamiliar territory?
It is funny how little things do make a difference in our lives. Things like free refills. I had no idea that was possible until I came here. It might sound ridiculous to some people, but it is something I didn't grow up with.
We live in a time when most of us travel abroad. Study abroad programs are becoming more and more popular. There are millions of international students in the USA. Plus people don't necessary work in the country where they are from. This idea of a global village is a great opportunity for brands to expend their markets and gain more loyal customers.
I know how this is going to sound, but when I was home this winter I went to a UCB store and it was a near-orgasmic experience. The variety of clothes and accessories they provide there is amazing.
Different companies manufacture different products for different markets as you know. The more you provide for these markets, the more people want. I know that all the products, or almost all, are based on a great amount of marketing research specific to the country and the mentality of the people, which is all good. But there isn't such a thing as “a nation” anymore. There are so many foreigners in all countries. The other day I read that 71% of the population of Dubai is foreigners. How do you target to such a market? How do you produce goods appealing to such a diverse market?
About the gadgets, you are completely right. My roommate freshman year was from Japan. I still remember the cool cell phone she had. Simply stunning. I've never bought a cell phone in the USA, because there are much better options in Europe. More expensive yes, but much better in terms of design and functionality.
Of course, there would be a change if these products are available in the different regions. I can't say how much difference that would make, but there would be some. Ultimately, though, I think it will make our lives easier and bring more integration.
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I'm curious — what is Cappy like, compared to Minute Maid or Juicy Juice? What makes it different? I don't drink pop, so it's usually water, iced tea, or juice for me.
It is an all-natural juice with no preservatives… Pure deliciousness. My favorite is the Wild Blueberry one
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