Convenience

Humans are self-maximalizing creatures. Whatever requires the least effort and produces the greatest result is the best way for us. It’s not that we’re lazy; our evolution as a species owes much to our self-maximalizing nature, in fact.

That's why I wear nothing but swimming trunks - the kind with the built-in underpants. Men's swimming trunks are the ultimate garment because they've got the underpants right in them.

Convenience stores are a great help, too. My friend Alan and I were on our way to a little get-together one evening and needed to pick up ice and snacks for our host. As I was deciding between the 8-pound bag and the 16-pounder, Alan began a conversation with the cashier. Alan had noticed this person's unusual name on his nametag and Alan just loves to find out where people are from - it's sort of a hobby for him. Just as kids in a car search for license plates from different states, Alan likes to collect chats with people from foreign lands.

Alan asked the cashier where he was from and it sounded as if the fellow said, “Souvlakia.” Alan remarked that he’d never heard of the country and thought that Souvlakia was a Greek dessert. The man behind the counter said that, no, it wasn't a dessert at all. In fact, he went on to say that the average temperature of Souvlakia is quite cool that there's not so much sand.

Alan stood silently beside me as I paid for the ice and the music in the store played.