I prefer convenience over all things. This includes quality, ambiance, freshness, and sometimes price. Now, this may not seem shameful, but I truly believe I’m the minority on this one. For instance, I worked downtown for the better half of this year and more often found myself at 7-11 picking up a sandwich and a Green-Tea Sobe than at any of the “exquisite” Little Italy restaurants surrounding me.

So what is it about these “convenience store” experiences that I relate to so much? I think I may have narrowed down some thoughts on this subject while I was eating my pre-packaged salad from VONS during lunch yesterday:

1. I love the ability to wander around at my own pace and pick up exactly what I want.
2. I hate being pressured by the next customer in line or busy waiter/waitress.
3. I don’t have to boldly announce my entire order in front of a group of people.
4. I value the idea of a separated “purchase” and “perusing” process.
5. I like to eat alone. Secretly, I eat very fast and messy. I don’t get stuff all over my clothes but I take large bites making a temporary mess of my face.

In many ways I think the fact that I’m socially awkward is to blame. I always feel like people think I’m boring, unstylish and, of course, fat (as if being fat is the worst thing in the world). So, I’m left with the following question … do I go to therapy and try to get to the root of the problem hoping to blend in with the rest of society or do I just lovingly embrace who I am and quietly enjoy my convenience store lunches?