My impression of granite is that it's cold, dark, and somber looking and usually not colors I like in a kitchen. I know it's the 'thing' to have now and all the trend followers want it, regardless of price. I guess it's akin to designer bags. I understand that it takes a special cleaner or polisher or sumthin.

Granite is fine - in the cemetery. Sour grapes, if you like, but gimme my Formica which I can't seem to damage nohow. There IS one lighter streak on the counter - some food item must have bleaching capabilities but I can't determine what food that might be.