i absolutely agree that things taste differently depending on region. i think some of that also has to do with the smell of an area - i distinctly recall london having a different smell than new york, and that surely must affect the taste of the foods you eat.

while i'm all for portion control and cutting back on the ridiculous excess of american consumption, there is one thing i can't quite give up...if it's liquid, it must be LARGE. dainty bottles of water, diet soda; tiny vessels tea &amp; coffee are all anger-inducing teases to me.

barring a well-made demitasse of espresso or a glug of whiskey just submerging the ice cubes, give me 16 ounces or nothing!