Everything is the same. What happened to being different?
Take a look at the images below. They will all be familiar to you. If not the brand, but as food items, or shops.
These photos have been taken over a 5 year period. In the UK, Dubai, South Africa, Canada, Egypt and Germany. Later on this year I will be visiting Australia and will be no doubt having similar observations to you.
Nothing is different.
Everything is the same.
Is that Waitrose in the UK? and Tesco? of course, they're British companies. Think again. The Waitrose is in Dubai.
Halloween and Christmas images, can't be Dubai, can it? Yes it's Dubai.
Foreign food aisles. When you leave the UK everything is foreign food isn't it?
Tim Hortons? Easy in Canada - Dubai
Red bus? Must be London - Canada
Wimpy? That's South Africa surely - Canada
Large Malls? Again has to be Dubai - Canada
Apart from buildings, landscapes, currencies, languages and accents, there is little different to see around the world outside of the tourist areas. Yes there's game drives in South Africa, the Niagara Falls in Canada, historical buildings, castles to explore in the UK and Germany.
But outside of that, there is fuel to put in the car, coffee to be drunk, food shopping to be done, clothes to be purchased.
I remember as a teen going into H&M, it was in France, it was glamourous. Visiting a foreign supermarket and trying all the different foods. Having a special treat by visiting a coffee shop.
But now everything is everywhere, you can buy anything wherever you go and if you can't buy it, you can order it online.
The magic of travel for me is narrowing.
I had no idea that everywhere was so similar! Obviously I know that McDonald's is everywhere, but I had no idea that Waitrose was outside the UK and that you could get so many brands of the same all over the world.
ReplyDeletestill can't get my PG Tips in South Africa though
DeleteFascinating Susan because I saw the thumbnail and the Tim Hortons logo and instantly thought "Canada" I was only recently introduced to Tim Hortons on a recent visit to Ottawa you see. Anyway, yes, we're getting more global. Some things are the same the world over. Whenever we do a day trip to Calais the first stop has to be Toys R Us in Eurocity or else the kids give us no peace! Thiss, despite the fact there is (....or was) one 10 miles up the road. #MySUndayPhoto
ReplyDeleteI first encountered Tim Hortons in Canada then found them over in Dubai also
DeleteIt's interesting to see that home comforts can be found everywhere around the world. It kind of makes travelling feel safer to those that don't go away much (like me, one of the reasons I was terrified of travelling when younger was because I can't cope with everything being so different and not being able to understand my surroundings.) The world does seem to be getting smaller.
ReplyDeletewe used to travel with favourite foods for the kids, but not necessary anymore
DeleteThese could be anywhere in the World. Places all look the same these days.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
exactly, no variety, little need to travel anymore
DeleteLove that Kit Kat is called Family Break in one country. Certainly wouldn't fit the brand name here.
ReplyDeletelol
DeleteIn some ways it's good you can find similar things around the world but in another way it's sad. I like cultural differences and would hate a homogenized world. #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteI used to love the variety of different foods and places, no everything is so similar and makes you wonder why we need to travel
DeleteI see no Yorkshire Tea on those shelves, Dubai isn't for me haha!
ReplyDeleteOh they sell Yorkshire tea here in Dubai and in South Africa
DeleteIt's fascinating! It must be a good thing that you can find familiar things all over the world.
ReplyDeleteit is a good thing but also not necessary, almost wonder why i bother exploring new places anymore when it's all pretty much the same
DeleteYes, the world is getting smaller and smaller. I recognized a lot of brands (hello, Starbucks and Micky D's) and I'm from the US, but others (Wimpy's, Morning crisp, ESCO, and others) were completely foreign!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how we forget where certain things come from anymore when everything is available almost everywhere
DeleteWow so many similarities X #mysundayphoto
ReplyDeleteno where feels different anymore
DeleteOh that is fascinating. Interesting that it is different x
ReplyDeletetoo much is the same for my liking
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