I’m free-sample-phobic. Well, okay, not really. I actually love gratis morsels of food (especially cheese). It’s the people who hand out the samples that freak me out, causing me to turn tail in a grocery store faster than you can say, “Would you like to try some vegan tuna?” Pretending that I’m having a very deep conversation with my three year old is another tactic I use—anything to avoid eye contact with a rubber-glove-and-smile-wearing giver of samples.
Now, I don’t fear the old-school samplers, like the kind people at Trader Joe’s or the wonderful women of Costco who tirelessly dole out tastes of holiday cookies or frozen burritos. I’m talking about the new breed of sample givers, who I find to be very aggressive. While the TJ’s and Costco workers don’t seem particularly invested in whether I take one or not, the new breed wants me to try every flavor. They also want me to buy every flavor. They push coupons into my helpless hands. They lock eyes and say, “Would you like to buy some today?” It’s too much pressure, and I don’t want any part of it.
But sometimes my vigilance wanes (or that aforementioned three year old, an easy mark, breaks free and makes a beeline for the free food), and this sample-resistant heart is won over. Recently, a taste of the Greek Yogurt + Chia from The Epic Seed did just that. It was so good that I heard myself asking for coupons. I bought some that day and came back for more a few days later.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Los Angeles Magazine