I am what marketers would call a brand loyal consumer. When
I find something I like, I tend to stick with it.
I have been a Diet Coke girl all my life. Diet Pepsi? Bleh.
I'm sure Pepsi devotees are just as stalwart in their preferences.
This can be extremely helpful in a society dominated by
consumerism where we are constantly bombarded with option upon option. Research
has shown that having more choices can make us less happy than having fewer
ones. Finding something and sticking with it has its merits.
When I find myself needing to switch things up, I often stay
within the same brand family. That is, if I am happy with their product to
begin with.
Take, for instance, the Gillette Sensor razor, which was
such an improvement over the generic pink plastic version I used as a high
schooler. In recent years, Gillette has launched the Venus Divine and Embrace.
The upgrade was totally worth it.
Sometimes finding The One – whether it be a shampoo or a
cracker – can take years.
I took me years to find a sanitary napkin that I liked. (Do
people still call them that? I am having flashbacks to jumpy videos playing in
fifth grade science class. "Maxi pad?")
I had been using the same brand for years but I wasn't
thrilled with it. I was just tired of looking. Then one day, I came across
another brand that caught my eye. It was less expensive than what I'd been
using (see cheap, above) and I was willing to give it a shot.
It became my favorite brand. I've stuck with it ever since
to cover my lady time needs.
Until recently.
Two months ago I couldn't find it anywhere. I figured our
normal store was just out of stock, so I checked WalMart and Target. No luck.
The company's website revealed what I was dreading: they stopped making it.
I was devastated.
I put off looking for a new brand until the last possible
minute. I was down to the wire and had to pull the trigger.
As I scanned the aisle for a good replacement, I was
overwhelmed by the choices. Wings, moisture lock, scents and more.
I wasn't too psyched about spending so much time in the
feminine hygiene aisle. After all, who ever feels like announcing to the world,
"HEY GUYS! I'VE GOT MY PERIOD!"
Stymied, I reached for a pack of my old brand (see, loyal
above) and headed home.
When the time came for me to crack open my new package, I
watched in horror as the product didn't so much fold out as it unfurled. It was
ginormous.
My first thought was, "I'm wearing a Subway
sandwich."
(Think: "Five. Five dollar. Five dollar
footlong.")
I looked at the box and, sure enough, in my haste I had
grabbed the overnight style. I was so overwhelmed by the wings and moisture
lock that I failed to detect the most basic of criteria: size. The thing was
huge.
But it was time for work, so I stuck it on and went on my
merry little way.
Only my way wasn't that merry.
After walking just a few paces, I realized in horror that
the pad made noise. Its plastic protective layer rustled with every step. It
reminded me of the organist at the end of "Sixteen Candles" who creaked
as she walked through the church.
Worse still, it made me think, "This is what wearing
adult diapers must feel like."
I was mortified.
Suddenly announcing to the world, "I'M ON MY
PERIOD!" didn't seem so bad. Certainly much better than, "HEY GUYS!
I'M WEARING ADULT DIAPERS!"
If a friend were in this predicament, I would tell her,
"It's only $5, just buy another pack."
But I stuck it out because I'm cheap.
That was two months ago and it is nearing time for me to
find another pad. I have no desire to put a giant sandwich in my underwear and
crinkle through my day.
I am already girding my loins for a thorough review of the
vast napkin buffet in the feminine hygiene aisle. And I am mentally preparing
to spend a little more until I find The New One.
After all, if I'm willing to spend $5 on a sandwich,
certainly I could invest the same in my dear Aunt Flo.
Julie this made me LOL at the office. Sure you don't want to print this next week ;-) - Flavia
ReplyDeleteA recommendation from a friend: Always Ultra Thin. I prefer with wings, but they make without. I also prefer unscented, but they make scented. And not the overnights :) They have the yellow wrapper.
ReplyDeleteI recommend playtex sport tampons unscented.
ReplyDeleteLOL Jules!!!! So funny! I always get the thin with wings, usually the store brand. Still so annoying! No matter what I do, the sticky part gets stuck in my butt crack. Like a waxing everytime! Hope K is doing well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good laugh! I felt like that in those few days after labor. I didn't leave the house though.
ReplyDelete