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I can describe the process by which I have selected grocery stores from which to do my most satisfactory shopping. Living in Las Vegas in the U.S.A. at this time, I have found the Trader Joe's market chain to be a very reliable carrier of quality and affordable foods. I first heard of this store through "word-of-mouth", as neighbours and friends mentioned their positive experiences. So this is one guide to a pleasurable food shopping experience. I believe, from experience, that another guide to a store's worthiness is the quality of the food which is offered "on sale" through advertisements. Regrettably, a large nearby chain supermarket can be depended upon to place shoddy food items out during their sales - meats which are slimy from age, and produce items of the same nature (and worse..... deceptively packaged - such as potatoes - in opaque bags which prevent the customer from eyeing the items). I would very much like to suggest to the reader that they avoid grocery stores which feature those annoying customer loyalty cards, but this is increasingly difficult in the U.S. (This became painfully obvious when I moved to Las Vegas in 1994 and the major supermarket chain here - Smith's, a division of the huge Kroger Company - introduced these cards. I resented having to divulge loads of personal information just to purchase food, so I wrote in a false name and address, but included my correct telephone number, which they claimed to verify. The name I entered was Shlomo Rabinowitz, and I made a habit of visiting the store on Fridays to purchase pork chops and German beer to "get back" at them and skew their demographic statistics. Soon afterwards as part of their efforts to smooth the introduction of these new customer loyalty cards, they ran a contest for those who used the cards. The winner would receive a prize of $10,000. On the Friday when the contest winner was selected, I received a telephone call at our house. A very professional-sounding lady asked to speak with Shlomo. I had been up very late the night before, and just answered, "Shlomo? Shlomo WHO?" She repeated herself a couple times, and I told her that there was no Shlomo living at our house. Then she said, "Oh, I'm so sorry. He will be so disappointed!" I hung up, made myself a mug of tea....and then thought about what had just happened. Never before or since have we received a telephone call for a Shlomo). I suggest you find a store which bears the recommendations of friends whose advice has proven worthwhile, a store which respects the customer with ethical advertising, and - preferably - one with as little intrusiveness as possible, in order to purchase your food. Best of luck.

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