A Tale of Two Cultures

Americans are obsessed with bigness.

Go to Starbucks, the size of a tall cup here is the one of a medium cup in China's Starbucks. Is it a cup of coffee or a cup of coca cola? I thought of the Cappuccino I had in Italy or the Arabian coffee I had in Egypt.

Go to MacDonald, the size of the biggest cup of coca cola is twice as the one in China's MacDonald.

Go to the road. Most of the cars I see here are vans, SUVs while most of the cars in Paris are sprint.

Go to Bestbuy. The most popular cameras and computers have big screen, big memory and large hard drive.

You can find more big things in people's houses: a big kitchen room, a huge refrigerator, a big table and a big plates.

Why Americans are so crazy about bigness?

Maybe because Americans are born bigger than others? It reminds me of a dialogue I have had with a tall tour guide in Netherlands.

"Are you the tallest in your family?"

"No. I am the shortest one."

"Why are you Netherland guys are so tall? "

"Why are you so short? "

I think it is natural that Americans pursue the bigness as Netherland people are born to be tall until I met a man in Starbucks last month.

I was working on my tiny SONY VAIO when this man passed by and screamed to me.

"Where did you get this? This is what I want."

I proudly introduced my SONY VAIO to him, including all the features I think practical and cute.I let him lift the computer and be satisfied with his surprise of the lightness.

He told me he was searching for tiny computers for a long time and it was the best he can find.

"Not the best," I said:" It is already outdated. "

Then I told him the website and let him to find the newest version. He wrote down all I told him and was about to go.

"Do you really want a small computer?"I called him then introduced my Treo650 to him.

Treo is my favorite cell phone. I use it to do most of the things that my computer can do, such as writing, reading, sending emails and listening to music, recording.

Finally he decided to buy a Sony VAIO and a treo 750.

I though it was only individual case. But I was wrong. Up till now I had introduced my SONY VAIO to 6 people who came to me in Starbucks. The most interesting thing is that all the people I talk with didn't realize they could buy small computers in the States.

Dear marketing person, think of it! You can sell small goods even in a market obsessed with bigness and don't need me to do your job any longer!