Shame on me

I did something twice this week that I had prided myself on not doing during our time in Basel. I visited American chain restaurants here in Basel. Actually, I like to think of it as a bit of research - to compare and contrast the American with the European expereince. Does that sound like a worthwhile rationalization? Okay then - forgive me for hitting Starbucks and BK in the same week.

I went to Starbucks on Monday actually to meet someone for an interview for an article for the English radio program and he proposed the meeting place. Well the inside looked exactly like a Starbucks at home. It had drinks with pretty much the same names and they all came in sizes "tall, grande, venti." The prices were a little bit higher but not too much. The cost for a tall Caramel Machiatto was 6.60 chf which is over $5 but not too far from the price in the U.S. They served me the drink in a big comfy mug. (I'm not sure whether there are different sizes for the grande and venti but the mug was huge!). And like in the U.S., they had Norah Jones type music playing and oversided chairs with neat small tables. I felt very at ease there but like I was cheating my European experience.

And I have secretly been wanting to try the American fast food here too. It just happened to be that Rob and I met for lunch at BK 3 days after I had been to Starbucks. The experience was much like Starbucks in that the sandwiches had pretty much the same names as at home. However there seemed to be more on the menu at BK. Different "sandwiches" with different combinations of toppings. Maybe they are also in the U.S. - I'm not sure at this point. The main difference was the cost. Hang on to your seats - the total for a value meal for Rob and me was $26.50 cHf. So more than double the price at home even with the confersion factored. Woah. Good thing it was just for research and I don't go all the time. The Whopper was delcious though. Just like at home.