I know exactly what you mean. Starbucks for example, it's absolutely goddamn despicable. They don't even have that many blends of coffee anymore. They give you no choice in the matter. They have two blends available at the most. I wish there were a local coffee shop, but with all the retarded reward programs, starbucks gift cards, and what not, well, how can a smaller store thrive?

This is something I've come to realize in the last few years... local businesses might sometimes cost a little more money to buy from (and are surprisingly cheaper in some cases), but I think supporting a (good) local business has some good long term effects on society. I'm really not looking forward to a time when there are no choices and we're stuck with the same shitty food and same stupid looking shops in every town. I think that day is unfortunately rapidly approaching.

I found in Australia the corner shop had made a real comeback in the last decade. The Aussie economy has been doing pretty well and a fair portion of the populace has plenty of disposable income and appreciated some of the finer things in life. So boutique shops selling higher quality fare than you can get from the big chains have proliferated. Sure you can't take on the big chains is you're selling the same items. You have to find niche markets for items and brands they don't stock. It has meant almost more choice than ever before, well at least for those that can afford it.

You know I do not know. How did it become traditional to KFC for Christmas? Is it cause people are too lazy too cook your own chickens

That question is answered in this thread.

I gotta hand it to you MMM. You sure do love to talk to everyone, even spam bots.