What’s in a name?


“Cleanliness is next to ramliness.”

When I was younger, even during times I was poorer, I was brand loyal. I remember when generic products first began hitting the shelves, and it would have made economical sense to buy those white packages with the black letters, but I just couldn’t. Was it aesthetics? Because I always justified my choice by saying, “But I know exactly what I’m getting with my Jif, Tide, Hellmann’s, Golden Flake, Heinz, Campbell’s, Nabisco, Bama, Comet, Dial, Coke,” blah blah blah. I was certain that if anyone ever put me in a blind taste test, I could pick my favorite product.

I’m not quite as bad as I used to be. I’ll buy store brands or different brands for a lot of products now. Okay, never a peanut butter that isn’t Jif or a mayonnaise that isn’t Hellmann’s. But I’ve drunk store-brand colas and eaten store-brand oatmeal. I broke with my mother on loyalty to Tide, but only because of the expense. I still think it’s the best detergent. Because cost is one of my main criteria, I’ve grown indifferent to brand names on paper products, and I’m more likely to pick cereals based on the nutritional information on their labels.

Still, when I shot this photo, I wondered, if I were still using bar soap, would I purchase this?

Are you brand loyal?

23 thoughts on “What’s in a name?”

  1. There are 3 things I’m loyal too …Texas Ruby red Grapefruit, Sweet and Low , and my pocketbook. Said the girl drinking diet chek freshy soda

  2. YES – and I get annoyed when brands are removed from shelves to be replaced by store labels or other generics!

    I do have to remind myself, however, as I wander the heavily stocked, crowded aisles of the market, that we live in a place which offers some of the most abundant and diverse products in the world.

    1. We are definitely fortunate!

      What I don’t understand is why every shelf in my toiletries section is being overtaken by AXE products, which stink. They must have made a pact with some evil consumer overlord.

  3. I’m brand loyal on some things, not others. I’m a Skippy girl, but if Hy Vee has a sale on their peanut butter for 99 cents, I’m there! We’ve had the discussion about Miracle Whip before. (Right, Marika?) I’ll try a store brand, but if it’s not as good as what I usually buy, I go back to my tried and true.

    1. It’s like we grew up on different planets!

      I do kind of miss the old generic packaging. The white labels with black letters. Classic. Now I kind of like to shop out of those serve-yourself-containers. It’s possible I miss time traveling. Not that I’m admitting to anything.

      1. I hated that packaging, my mom always got generic, and while I certainly don’t mind buying generic now – as a kid I was always embarrassed by it. It screams POOR – the new packaging says “maybe I’m just frugal!”

    1. That newlywed couple is adorable. Tom grew up in a Miracle Whip family, I think. I’ve probably blocked that out of my mind.

              1. We met in Alabama. That’s not his state of origin. And I HAVE told you before, but you forgot, because you clearly don’t plan to be my biographer.

                For which I’m thankful!

  4. Ok, I’ll settle the Miracle/Mayo argument. Just read the label … Miracle Whip is a SALAD DRESSING and it really does make the best potato salad, creamy cole slaw and egg salad because it is more acidic. Mayo is the only thing to use on sandwiches and tuna and ham salad. And I know I shouldn’t say this, but I’m starting to like Duke’s Mayo better than Hellemans.

    1. There’s no argument. Regardless of what it’s used for, Miracle Whip is revolting. This reminds me of that Gary Larson cartoon:

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