Cultural Specific Flavors [more reasons japan is cooler than us]

Japan has Cucumber Ice flavored Pepsi. I'd take that any day over some of the flavors of soda we can buy here in the US.

What people consider "tasty" or a "delicacy" is culturally specific; you won't likely find many fans of soft-shell crab or shrimp-flavored Pringles potato chips here in the US, but over in the UK it's as standard as BBQ or Sour Cream & Onion.

















Of course there are many flavors put out by various companies besides Pepsi; Sprite Ice was introduced to Canada and Belgium in 2003.

Mattresses for "Heavy People." [photo fail]

This sign was posted on a storefront in Oaklawn, Illinois; a paper testament to the obesity epidemic in America.

The Recession Will Not Hurt Rich Teen's Birthday Parties

Not to worry if you're a financially privileged teenager- you will still get an awesome birthday party/bar mitzvah/quinceanera/graduation party/whatever it is you dream of.

Despite the fact that many people in America are struggling to find employment, the teen party industry is booming.


My grandfather is rolling over in his grave; I can't imagine what he would think of our present-day highly frivolous and materialistic culture after living through WWII and the depression, where providing shelter for his family and putting food on the table was enough of a challenge.

Spending $15-20,000 on a birthday party for a teenager would seem thoroughly absurd to him. Which it is.