There
are certain realities when it comes to products.
Name
brands can matter. And when they do, it usually really important
to get it right.
Regardless
of the history, original sandwich cookie or not, Hydrox were never
as good as Oreos. We all know this.
The
other day I was out shopping. Needed to pick up some Fluff. For
those of you slightly confused, I needed marshmallow fluff. For
those really confused, I was picking up the only type of marshmallow
creme that is acceptable for purchase.
The
whole experience got me wondering a bit. After all, like Oreos,
there’s Fluff and there’s everything else. And my mind was meandering
about.
In
the United States… possibly elsewhere, but this is where I buy
them… there are basically two consistent brands of graham crackers
to consider. One is Nabisco Grahams, and the other is Honey Maid.
But it’s a trick choice, because Nabisco actually produces both
brands. Two options, seemingly different, one source. (Nabisco
also produces Teddy Grahams, but that would be really getting
off track.)
For
anyone wondering if a cracker is just a cracker, I invite you
to figure out the right ones to buy and bring with you to assist
my wife in making a baked stuffed shrimp. The only clue I’ll give
you is that one choice will get you served a meal, every other
choice will result in a grilled cheese being served.
Years
ago, I happened to notice a problem we were having with more than
one car. All the same manufacturer. It would reach a certain mileage…
yup, roughly one to two thousand miles after the warranty ended…
and the check engine light would come on. Do whatever maintenance
you wanted, from whatever service station you desired, and that
light would be right back on soon after. If not immediately, then
within a few hundred miles of paying the repair bill.
Funny
thing about the light. In every case, it had been triggered by
a sensor error. And yet, no issues with the car that such a sensor
would normally flag as a problem. Car ran fine. Only the sensor
did not.
End
result? Don’t buy that company’s cars. It’s a personal, established
opinion that creates action.
Quick,
Coke or Pepsi?
I’m
just joshing with you. Everyone knows Coke is the greatest, and
Pepsi or any other brand is completely unacceptable. Right?
Well,
I say yes. I prefer Coke as a first choice when occasionally making
such decisions. I will switch off to water when it isn’t available.
But there’s a chance you prefer Pepsi or a Pepsi product. You
might avoid either of them, and any such beverage option from
another company, completely. Still, funny story…
Coke
has become one of those moments where the brand name is being
thought of as the item name. Like saying Xerox machine when you
mean copier, or Jacuzzi as if that’s every hot tub. It isn’t just
Coca-Cola the option, Coke is cola.
Many
years ago, when I was a kid, I was in a restaurant and first heard
a waitress mention the fun this caused. So, from time to time,
I’ve asked people working in food service and they tell me the
problems occur when Coke isn’t served. People ask for it by saying
they want a Coke. Not a cola. A Coke. And on occasion this means
that many people taking care of your order have to ask things
like: “Is Pepsi okay?” After all, nothing like getting yelled
at because a Coke was ordered, and Coke is by far the preferred
cola of choice, but you brought a Pepsi to the table when you
should have known better.
But
every person I’ve talked to over decades since I first heard the
concept this is built around tell me the same thing… they have
never had to ask: “Is Coke okay?” They only need to clarify when
they serve something else.
After
grabbing the Fluff, I also picked up some bread. If you come over,
I’ll make you a Fluffernutter. Just know that I’ll be using Skippy
when I do.