On the way to the U.S., I talked to a German guy who said the biggest thing he noticed that differed between America and Germany is what he called "monoculture." He said that you can find the same stores everywhere and that houses all look the same.While in some ways something is lost with every place being fairly similar, my sister and I discussed how it can also be comforting. No matter where you are in the U.S., you know that you can pick up a cheap but cute shirt at Old Navy, almost any kind of candy or marker at Target, and household stuff at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
In Germany, there are many things I would have no idea where to find. Like a white-erase marker. And while those things are available somewhere, the main stores don't carry a wide variety of things nor brands of those things they do have. But you do get more of the more unique, personality-filled, smaller stores.
