A Grocery Tale of Two Cities – s3ep31
In this week’s episode of The Life of a Bon Vivant, Beeta dives into the cultural contrast between grocery shopping in California and Paris. Through a candid reflection sparked by a simple trip to Whole Foods, she explores how shopping habits reveal deeper values around lifestyle, intention, and pace. From the fast, efficient supermarket runs in the U.S. to the leisurely, intentional market strolls in France, Beeta shares how both experiences have shaped her mindset, and how we can blend the best of both worlds to bring more joy, presence, and beauty into our everyday routines.
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After spending a lot of time in France over the past three years, I agree with your assessment of intentionality. I live in an area that is 5 miles from the nearest grocery store and one would have to travel very busy highways to walk there. The joy of walking down the street to purchase fresh baguettes, fish, meat or veggies, is lost here in America – at least in most places. Oddly enough, we have been buying less and stopping more frequently at out local grocery stores. We do stock up on certain items but make sure they are things we always use.
I think also that part of our grocery shopping culture also revolves around cost. Food and wine, because they are subsidized by both France and the EU, are less expensive to buy in France. Here we buy when things are on sale and that makes a big difference in our shopping habits.
This was a very good podcast! (Makes me want to go back to France again now!)
Hi enjoyed your podcast on supermarkets and food shopping. My parents are from Malta and my mom would shop daily – always with the intention of getting fresh items and also intention of creating a meal. I appreciate that style because it also helps me approach meals and foods with intentionality. mindless food shopping can result in mindless eating.