"How granite countertops took over American kitchens" -- Vox, 2017, 6:16 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXyHRnDNH64
Expensive granite countertops are examined as a status symbol. In my apartment the countertops are cheap white laminate. While I don't necessarily care about them being low quality, whoever decided that white is a good color for countertops obviously never used their kitchen. I shouldn't have to deep bleach my counters after every little spill... Just sayin...