Merced's Hidden Cottage Industry

It was a very slow night in the local restaurant business.

Sue didn't want to go out to eat.. but I did. I headed for a place that she is not really too fond of.. Hometown Buffet.

Out in front were two rather new looking "Arrow" brand buses. Inside were two bus loads of French tourists delicately and selectively eating at the buffet restaurant. This happens quite often in Merced. The manager knows when they are coming and ropes off a section for their group. They really seem to enjoy the chance to talk to each other as much as eat.

I always think of my friend Fransico in Italy when I see these groups. He has lead many of these groups throughout Europe and landed in foreign places like Home Town Buffet must seem to these visitors.

Merced must make a good profit from these groups. There are at least 50 people in each bus. Tonight there were 100 people eating. at 11 dollars a crack it surely adds up.

Interesting observations to the cultural differences follow.. Many of these observations may need to be tempered by the fact that it was 8pm and these people have been on the road for a good bit of the day. Where? Maybe Yosemite.. maybe running from the South to the North or the North to the South on the quintessential (I love my spell checker in this blog) California trip.

They were a little astounded by the soda machine. The females would come up and look it over and maybe try to get some water out of it. Only one male was successful getting the machine to vend some coke. He took a "shot full" and wrinkled up his nose. One could only believe that the recipe for Coke was completely different in France.

No one seemed to be going after the salad. One female member headed for the fruit for desert (cut up) but most took a long and hard look at the deserts and finally picked up a little soft serve and a think slice of cheese cake. No one went after the coconut cream pie.

The big station for the French was the slicing station. One bold member found out that the roast beef they were slicing was brisket. That pleased her. She told the carver that the brisket looked good and that she wanted a piece. Most were after the steak. None of them wanted the ham. A few picked up some french fies and one went after a little fried fish.

Overall I really don't think that they got their money's worth. But considering the exchange rate, they probablly felt they had.

: ) Pat