It pays to shop around

I was recently walking the Santa Monica Pier when I was reminded of the importance of doing one's research before making any purchase, big or small.

I was minding my business amidst the kitschy tourist trap when I saw a man selling grains of rice with names written on them.

Now I've seen these sort of "souvenirs" before and never understood the attraction. I kept walking.

Not 30 seconds further down the pier did I encounter another man, also selling grains of rice with names written on them.

This time, however, the vendor was selling granules with your name and a drawing on them, too.

(Fancy, I know!)

Again, I had no desire to buy one, but I couldn't help but feel bad for the countless suckers who buy their inscribed grain from man #1, only to be disappointed minutes later when they realize they could've bought more bang for their tourist buck from man #2.

Meh.