Non-Generic Confessions: My Top 10 Brands

Am I just a victim of relentless TV advertising, or is all the food and product pickiness of my childhood coming back to haunt me in my middle age? In a few areas of my life, I’m convinced that ONLY certain brands will do:

• Cotton swabs: Q-Tips are cushier; you can feel the end of the stick with others.

• Mayo: I shudder or gag to think of anyone using sweet “salad dressing” instead of the lemony goodness of Hellman’s. I like it so much that sometimes I’ll add a dollop to my plate and dip my hamburger in it before taking a bite. (My husband can’t watch — he thinks mayo may be the anti-Christ.)

• Orange juice: Any brand name is better than the thin, sour store brands.

• Fish sticks: You wouldn’t think that anyone who eats these lowbrow staples would be brand conscious, would you? But Mrs. Paul’s have just the right crispness. With generics, the fish meat is beige, the sticks are skinny, and the crumbs are … crummy.

• Batteries: Duracell lasts longer. Go, copper-tops!

• Eyebrow pencil: Aloette’s “Fawn” color is the only one that really matches my brows. Everything else advertises the fact that the outer edges of my brows are vanishingly thin.

• Spaghetti sauce: Chunky, not watery; tangy rather than tomato-pastey. Of course, I’m talking about Prego. Lips that touch Ragu will not touch mine.

• Breakfast pastries: You’ve gotta know that I’m talking about Kellogg Pop-Tarts. Generics skimp on the filling, and you end up with a mouthful of crust. It’s about as appealing as it sounds.

• Toothpaste: My tooth grinding and the resulting thin enamel makes Sensodyne a necessity; I’ve tried other brands and always go back to the best.

• Toilet paper: Charmin rolls are plump and soft. Like me.

I’m blaming genetics via my mom’s line: She can’t stand any dishwashing liquid except Lemon Joy.

So … what brands are you adamant about?

P.S. — No, this isn’t a sponsored list … no advertising … just some brain dribbles from me. :o)

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