Happy Pills in Barcelona, Spain

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Barcelona is renown for its futuristic designs and ultra-modern art scene. Needless to say, this innovative spirit dominates their food culture as well.

While I wandered down the city streets on a quiet evening, I spotted a father and daughter purchasing medicine from a boutique pharmacy. Eye-catching bottles of pills lined the recess lit, stark white walls. Upon a double take, I realized that the colourful pills were actually candies!

With a smirk and chuckle, I thought, “why, getting kids to play grow-up by selling candy packaged as drugs is a novel idea”.

Happy Pills Barcelona, Spain by Melody Fury

Back home, as I reviewed my photos, I recall my wide-eyed outlook, eager to breathe in every ounce of the foreign culture. Stepping back, I see how this shop would be provocative in more conservative cities.

I personally enjoy the cute design and effective branding but parents may disagree. We’ve seen children “smoke” Popeye cigarettes and pretend to snort lines from pixie sticks but what about pill popping?

My question is: would you take your kids to Happy Pills?

Happy Pills has 4 locations in Barcelona. Their window displays other locations but I could not find them on Google.

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http://twitter.com/JacquieLH Jacquie H

Being a mother of a 2 year old, I look at this article and think that I would never take my daughter here because it seems to glorify pill popping in a culture already too eager to dole out real medicine. I’d be fearful the candy would be like a “gateway” drug. That being said, I remember being 7 and eagerly buying the cigarette bubble gum packs that the ice cream man used to come around selling and pretend to puff away at them. I’ve never once smoked a real cigarette in my entire life, most likely because neither of my parents have ever smoked.

So I guess while I don’t think I’d encourage my daughter to eat this candy, I don’t think I’d be fanatical against it since my actions ultimately (most likely/hopefully) will have more impact on her decisions later on in life than her candy does.

Long comment :) Sorry!
http://twitter.com/coolbreeze2444 Ken Carriker

I think I would have to agree with Jacquie H. I remember buying candy cigarettes as a kid and playing with a bubble pipe, but I’ve never smoked. Again, like Jacquie H said, my parents never smoked, none of my friends smoked, and my parents taught me well. :)

I think it’s OK, as long as you make sure your child knows the difference between the candy and the real thing. I, too, would not encourage my daughter to eat this candy, but if she wanted to, that’s OK; I’ve taught her to know the difference between candy and the real stuff.

This could also lead into a whole rant about cartoon violence and how, just because I’ve seen Bugs Bunny drop anvils on people doesn’t mean I’d do it in real life, but I’ll leave that for another time.
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Dancesing62

I think I would ghd online have to agree with Jacquie H. I remember kupowac ghd buying candy cigarettes ghd wylot as a kid and playing with a bubble pipe, but I’ve never smoked. Again, like Jacquie H said, my parents never smoked, none of my friends smoked, ghd sale and my parents taught me well. :)

I think it’s OK, as long as you make sure your child ghd hair straightener knows the difference between the candy and the real thing. I, too, would not encourage my daughter to eat this candy, but if she wanted to, that’s OK; I’ve taught her to know the difference between candy and the real stuff.
Dancesing62

I think I would ghd online have to agree with Jacquie H. I remember kupowac ghd buying candy cigarettes ghd wylot as a kid and playing with a bubble pipe, but I’ve never smoked. Again, like Jacquie H said, my parents never smoked, none of my friends smoked, ghd sale and my parents taught me well. :)

I think it’s OK, as long as you make sure your child ghd hair straightener knows the difference between the candy and the real thing. I, too, would not encourage my daughter to eat this candy, but if she wanted to, that’s OK; I’ve taught her to know the difference between candy and the real stuff.
Dancesing62

I think I would ghd online have to agree with Jacquie H. I remember kupowac ghd buying candy cigarettes ghd wylot as a kid and playing with a bubble pipe, but I’ve never smoked. Again, like Jacquie H said, my parents never smoked, none of my friends smoked, ghd sale and my parents taught me well. :)

I think it’s OK, as long as you make sure your child ghd hair straightener knows the difference between the candy and the real thing. I, too, would not encourage my daughter to eat this candy, but if she wanted to, that’s OK; I’ve taught her to know the difference between candy and the real stuff.
Dancesing62

I think I would ghd online have to agree with Jacquie H. I remember kupowac ghd buying candy cigarettes ghd wylot as a kid and playing with a bubble pipe, but I’ve never smoked. Again, like Jacquie H said, my parents never smoked, none of my friends smoked, ghd sale and my parents taught me well. :)

I think it’s OK, as long as you make sure your child ghd hair straightener knows the difference between the candy and the real thing. I, too, would not encourage my daughter to eat this candy, but if she wanted to, that’s OK; I’ve taught her to know the difference between candy and the real stuff.