Atrios wonders about something I’ve been shaking my head at since chain store and restaurant shopping took over America…

I certainly don’t claim to have my finger on the pulse of the American consumer, but recession issues aside I’m puzzled by the apparent belief by developers and retail experts that when people travel to tourist locations what they really want to do, most of all, is visit the same shops that they can visit in any high end mall all over the country. Maybe they’re right. What do I know?

They’re right, but here’s what you know: if all you want from travel is what you already have at home, then all you’re doing is spending money, running out the clock on your life, and getting nothing at all out of it.

Back in 2002 in a post of travel notes I wrote, “You didn’t come all this way for another Big Mac.” Apparently a lot of people do however.     They’re not just wasting their vacations, they’re wasting their lives.   Several years ago some friends of mine took me on my first ever trip outside the country, to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and I will be forever grateful that they decided on staying in the old part of town and not the newer touristy one.   Swear to god on the way into town from the airport I saw a Chili’s and my jaw dropped a little.   What the hell does Mexico want with one of those??? But of course, it was the Yankee tourists who wanted it there.   We ate at the Chili’s in Puerto Vallarta…it felt So Authentic!

Whatever…

Puerto Vallarta was Beautiful…

Just Beautiful…

Very Beautiful…

Er…yes…

Just imagine all the fun I could have had, shopping at all the same stores I can shop in at home, and eating out in all the same restaurants I can eat at in the Towson Town Mall.

There should be an international convention that bars chain restaurants and stores from crossing boarders.   I would be in favor of   a constitutional amendment banning them from crossing state lines too.