It’s often said that the countryside is viewed through an urban lens. After all, most advertising agencies are based in big cities, shaping our perceptions from afar. Occasionally, global brands attempt to "localize" their image—think of burger companies adding local ingredients to their recipes. Yet, everyday life in rural areas looks very different up close.

This difference becomes strikingly clear in Stéphanie Lacombe’s photo exhibition, Hyper Life. With many small cafés disappearing and local restaurants replaced by pizza vending machines, the rural supermarket takes on a new role—more than just a place to shop. Its parking lot becomes a social hub, where stories unfold and people gather simply to share time together.

In the TV series Better Call Saul, the main character seeks anonymity working at a mall Cinnabon. But beyond the supposed solitude and routine of these commercial spaces, real life thrives—friendships form, love stories begin, and people find ways to fight loneliness.

The next time you visit your local mall or supermarket, take a moment to look around. You might discover unexpected moments of connection happening all around you.