Living Generically: Part II
Olivia Cole, Client Services Director at greenlight in Dallas, guest blogs on name brands—and on tearing herself away from them. This is part two. You can find part one here.
As you know, I’ve been doing my best to give up brand names – at least for the short term – as a way to take an introspective look at my spending habits and purchases. So far, it hasn’t been fun, but admittedly, I’m learning to make adjustments in my life that may actually remain permanent. (I know, I never thought I would say it either).
For instance, last week I told you about my grocery shopping experience and my general dissatisfaction with not only the labels, but the products themselves. As a result, I’ve just stopped buying packaged products because there’s no appeal. The best way for me to avoid buying brand-name is to just not buy at all. I’ve actually managed to replace these treats with healthier alternatives like fruits and vegetables, AND I feel like a better wife and mother for doing so (not to mention the fact that I’m saving money).
But, there are other areas of my life that I feel truly require brand-name products for total satisfaction.
First and foremost is Vodka.
Now, I’m not the type of person who’s against drinking beer (no real brand name there!), and I don’t buy the most expensive wine on the menu. However, when I’m dressed to the nines and out on the town, I expect a drink that complements my classy, upscale state of mind. And that drink is a Grey Goose martini. It HAS to be Grey Goose. The last time I was out I tried ordering JUST a vodka martini, and I literally puked. It’s gross, and I’ll spare you the details, but it won’t ever happen again. But beyond my physiological disdain for the generic version, for some reason it just doesn’t FEEL the same. There’s something to be said for the experience of a product, and when you take away the brand there’s absolutely no emotional connection for me. Am I wrong.
Next we have shampoo and conditioner.
Again, I think this is a bit of an experiential problem. No, I don’t wash my hair dramatically like they do in the commercials, but I do feel better knowing I’ve used high-quality ingredients designed specifically for my hair type – and when you’re a redhead, that’s a pretty big deal! So I tried the generic, and while my hair didn’t fall out or anything, it certainly lacked its usual luster and it made me smell like I was in high school… in a bad way. Why is that generic shampoo has to smell like food? I don’t want to be known as a walking cupcake or candy bar. It’s weird.
As for other cosmetic products, I’m seeing comparable results – perhaps because there’s no real “experience” to be had in eye make-up remover and face wash… at least for me.
Let’s tally the results!
Generic:
Cheaper: +1
Healthier foods: +1
Satisfaction as a wife and parent: +2
Acceptable non-experiential cosmetic products: +1
Name-brand:
Vomit-inducing Vodka: -5
Lackluster shampoo and conditioner: -2
While living generically has gained some momentum, I think it’s safe to say the things I enjoy the most in life deserve to have some experience and emotion attached to them. I can justify losing the label on the rest.