New category suggestions

Perhaps it is the way that your comment is phrased, but I disagree with the idea that Gowalla 'needs to adapt to European (or rather international) standards. First, I am pretty sure that it is OK to have a variety of ways of looking at things. To expect a 'made in the USA' game to not reflect its roots would be a shame. I love the Texas flavor that shows up in some of the categories, which goes to show that the US itself is a multi-cultural environment.

That being said, when I was street-teaming in the UK this summer (before the dawn of Gowalla time), I had a chance to talk to some of my UK buddies about categories: what is the same, what is similar and what is different. It was fun to see the Sausage Kiosk category come into being at the request of an American born London/Sweden based player. We are still hoping for the Fish and Chips and Oxford/Cambridge College categories to materialize. Both of these are uniquely UK sorts of things, although Fish and Chips are ubiquitous!

During this time, it was fun to dialog with the devs a bit about these things.From those interactions, I know that they are eager to stretch from solely US based categories to explore categories that are unique to Europe, like Martijn's cheese shop. (I had a chance to spend some time in the Netherlands and the cheese shops are outstanding and quite different to cheese shops here. OK ~ I was born into a Dutch home and learned a bit about cheese from my American immigrant Grandad :-)

So, I think it is only a matter of time before some of these category suggestions become reality. From a US perspective, I think it really helps to see some examples of different categories and explanations as to why they are different to their American counterparts. ( Delete or Edit)

Okay, speaking of confusing phrasing -- I've read your comment twice now and I'm still not sure what to make of it -- even though in the first paragraph you say that you disagree with me you actually kind of agree to what I said (or meant to say) in the rest of it...!? ;)

Also, adapting to or rather embracing "international standards" (was that the term that you didn't like?) does in no way mean that the game/service/app (what is it anyway?) has to give up or neglect its American or Texan roots -- at least not the way I see it...! But from my experience too many American companies just tend to ignore the fact that the world outside the US can be a very different place -- it all starts with so many app developers being too lazy to include international language localizations and expect everyone to use their software in English, no matter what...

Anyway, I'm far from accusing the Gowalla team of being ignorant of other countries, cultures and their habits and surroundings -- I just wish we could see a bit more of their tendency to incorporate or, as you put it, explore categories that are typical for and important to users in Europe and other parts of the world... :) ( Delete or Edit)

Yes, it was more the way it was said, I think that cultural variety is something to be embraced and enjoyed, including the varieties found in the US. I have played since the beginning and think that it is more a matter of time since the game mechanics include such a high degree of player input. ( Delete or Edit)

Unisex clothing is must. The biggest clothing stores in the business cater to both sexes and do so under the same roof. Creating a Gap location and having to choose either Men's or Women's Apparel is misleading. ( Delete or Edit)

Street food is in the app already. Under food. ( Delete or Edit)

Street food is in the app already. Under food. ( Delete or Edit)

thanks! ( Delete or Edit)