While there is a Costco-type store here – PriceSmart – most people live day to day and only buy what they need for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For my American mindset, it’s hard to think like that because buying in bulk seems more economical (and ecological due to less packaging).
Pens
I went to Walmart to buy a box of pens and was surprised to see that pens were for sale in individual little bags. The most that I could purchase together was a pack of three.
I went to Walmart to buy a box of pens and was surprised to see that pens were for sale in individual little bags. The most that I could purchase together was a pack of three.
Microwave Popcorn
There are only two brands at our nearby grocery store, a local brand and Act II. It’s like someone took all of the packages out of the box to sell individually (at about 50¢ each).
There are only two brands at our nearby grocery store, a local brand and Act II. It’s like someone took all of the packages out of the box to sell individually (at about 50¢ each).
Cookies and Crackers
If you buy a package of Oreos, you’ll be surprised to see that inside of the package are more little packages with four Oreos in each one.
If you’re used to four rolls of Ritz crackers in a box, you won’t find them here. Inside the plastic package are little packages with eight crackers each. The same goes for soda crackers (Saltines) and Goldfish.
If you buy a package of Oreos, you’ll be surprised to see that inside of the package are more little packages with four Oreos in each one.
If you’re used to four rolls of Ritz crackers in a box, you won’t find them here. Inside the plastic package are little packages with eight crackers each. The same goes for soda crackers (Saltines) and Goldfish.
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| "Big package" of soda crackers with a small package inside. |
Beverages
Canned and bottled beverages - be it soft drinks, water or beer - are sold individually on the shelf. Is there someone in the back pulling each can from the plastic ring? You can, for example, either buy imported (more expensive) American Coke or Costa Rican Coke. Personally, Costa Rican Coke tastes better to me because sugar cane is used rather than high fructose corn syrup.
Canned and bottled beverages - be it soft drinks, water or beer - are sold individually on the shelf. Is there someone in the back pulling each can from the plastic ring? You can, for example, either buy imported (more expensive) American Coke or Costa Rican Coke. Personally, Costa Rican Coke tastes better to me because sugar cane is used rather than high fructose corn syrup.
Yogurt
Drinkable yogurt is consumed much more here than the kind that we eat with a spoon. Activia yogurt is sold by the little cups, not the four or six pack that I am used to purchasing.
Drinkable yogurt is consumed much more here than the kind that we eat with a spoon. Activia yogurt is sold by the little cups, not the four or six pack that I am used to purchasing.
Tissue Paper
I needed some tissue paper to wrap a gift; it was available in either one sheet or two sheet packages.
I needed some tissue paper to wrap a gift; it was available in either one sheet or two sheet packages.
Greeting Cards
There are two Hallmark stores at the local mall (Multiplaza is so huge that several stores have two locations so that you don’t have to walk the whole mall to get there.). For each style of card, there is only one available with its corresponding envelope. Forget about buying a box of thank you or sympathy cards!
There are two Hallmark stores at the local mall (Multiplaza is so huge that several stores have two locations so that you don’t have to walk the whole mall to get there.). For each style of card, there is only one available with its corresponding envelope. Forget about buying a box of thank you or sympathy cards!
If you take into account the little mom and pop mini-grocery stores that are on almost every other corner, then the list grows. The following items are also available individually:
- Cigarette
- Light bulb
- Wrapping paper (one sheet that measures about 2’x3’)
- Slice of American cheese
- Dog food (you can buy it by the scoop)
