No, it's IKEA.
(Apologies to my Iowans)
Oh man stepping into IKEA is akin to teleporting back to Europe. Starting with the food court. Cafeteria-style, just like those German foodstops, complete with wraps, sandwiches, Swedish meatballs (next time), and delicious almond cake! Big wrap and cake for $5. Sweet.
The way the store is run and organized is so epitomal of the European emphasis on personal responsibility for the good of all--something the US could certainly adopt more widely in businesses and other aspects of the public sector... Signs politely instruct diners to clean up their own tables--and then EXPLAIN that this practice allows for reduced prices and more efficient service to the consumer. I think in general people would be willing to adopt measures of personal responsibility despite the perceived "inconvenience" if provided logical and concise justification. But maybe that's just because I believe in the innate goodwill of humanity so very much... =)
The rest of the store is equally efficient, although if you step off the arrowed path to more closely inspect an item, good luck getting back on it. Way impressed with my first visit to the megastore, though--I'm convinced you could buy an entire house in there for about $2000. Walls and roof sold separately.
Today's been a little less heavenly between screwy weekend train schedules and an all-day torrent of patented city rain. Walking outside in the rain is much more bearable, at least from an emotional standpoint, when equipped with a sturdy umbrella, a chai, and Halal lunch (my official NYC comfort food). From a physical standpoint, however, I don't recommend carrying that many precarious objects through the rain unless you're firmly committed to enjoying their morale-boosting effects.
Love, Hugs, & Downpours
Kate =)
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