Bangkok 7-Eleven

Bangkok, Thailand

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Within a 100-meter radius of our hotel I have already spotted five 7-Elevens. I think that must be a higher concentration than even Starbucks stores in Seattle.

Frank's initial theory was that this ubiquity is a sign that we're in a heavily touristed neighborhood --which we are. But then I was reminded of my time in Taiwan 20 years ago when 7-Elevens were EVERYWHERE and served as sort of mini-grocery stores. Albeit not in a run-down American neighborhood sort of way. Frank might still be right, of course, but we haven't yet had a chance to compare neighborhoods.

Our thus far rather hectic time in Bangkok has given me more than several occasions to observe these institutions, and I have come to the conclusion that one could do a sort of world-wide 7-Eleven sociological case study. That is, one could learn quite a bit about a culture based on the items to be found for sale in 7-Elevens around the world. (Kind of like comparing menu items at McDonalds around the world.)

Quick. Think of three items that come to mind when you think of an American 7-Eleven. Cheap bad coffee? Hot dogs? Hostess?

Here in Bangkok a few items that stand out are yes, lots of ready-to-eat packaged food, but also hot sauces galore, noodles, books, and beer.

I'll leave the rest to the sociologists.

A inspects the goods.