I hosted a friend from Catalonia who was amazed and bewildered by the variety in shelves full of crisps: Chee-Tos, Doritos, Pringles, that sort of thing. And that was in a corner gas station's convenience store.

When I visited her in Catalonia, we visited a Carrefour, and I took note of the varieties of olives available. Also, the mounted legs of jamón serrano, curing in the open air. Complimentary olives were served at every Italian restaurant there, and her sister eagerly served me a jamón sandwich at her café.

I think she has the better part.