Snobbery

I really think of myself as an accepting, non-judgemental person. I get irritated by people that think they are better than others, and live their lives to show how superior they are. The way I see it - if you have to talk about how much money you have: 1) you are that desperate you must show your superiority, 2) your self esteem is so low that you hope you bank account can compenstate for it, or 3) you have no class.

But there are some times I catch myself being a snob. However, it's not towards people - its towards food! But since I'm in the marketing/advertising/PR arena - I'll call it a by another term: "BRAND LOYAL."

What kicked off this train of thought? I walked into our breakroom this morning and there is a canister of Kroger brand coffee with the note that says "For Sharing!"

My first (sarcastic) thought: "Wow, how generous of you."

Isn't that awful?!

But hear me out first. There are many things I can buy at the store and don't mind buying the store label, cheap knockoff version, etc. Flour? Harris Teeter brand works just as well as Pillsbury. Sugar: Who needs Domino? I can get Dixie! Cooking spray? Pam who? WalMart works fine. Dishwash detergent? Whatever lemon scent will do. I don't need Electrosol.

However there are certain items that I insist on buying the big daddy product (and price tag):

1. Laundry detergent: Must use Tide. No other will do.
2. Milk: Horizon Organic - 1%
3. Coffee: Millstone, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts - or any specialty brand at Whole Foods/Trader Joes/Fresh Market
4. Ice Cream: B+J's, Haagen Dazs, Edy's - that's it! Blue Bunny??? - get outta here.
5. Canned Tomatoes: Hunt's
6. Italian cheese: Do people actually buy stuff in the Kraft green can? I'll spend the $11 on Locatelli Pecorino-Romano.

There are several others as well. Of course these products are great products - but as much as anything, I'm loyal to them. Why? MY MOM USES IT. Ask most women why they buy things they do, their answer will be because that's what their mom always used. Even if it makes no sense. Chad and I were at the store buying something (which I cannot recall at this time), but he asks why we can't buy the generic (couple dollars cheaper version) - my response, a snappy "BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT MY MOM USES!"

If I worked in the advertising space - I'd do a whole campaign around it. Tagline: Why? Because your Mama said so.