Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Partly Guilty

A few weeks ago, while I was in Tampa, I was without a car for the day and I decided to take the 15 minute walk to a grocery store near our condominium.  It was a hot day, so at the checkout lines I searched for a nice, cold bottle of water to quench my thirst.  It's a somewhat small store, really an upscale branch of a large chain, and I saw only one cooler.  Inside, my choices consisted of different types of vitamin or flavored water or imported Evian.  


I don't know about you, but when I'm thirsty, I want water in my water.  So, I grabbed the bottle of Evian and was whisked through the checkout line.  I knew I was going to be in trouble by buying that bottle.  My husband detests bottled water.  I'm actually on board with him on this one because it really is a tremendous waste of resources.  Plus, if you know anything about bottled water, you know that it's no better than tap water and often IS tap water.  Just plain tap water that has been filtered, something you can do in your own home.  I worked in the bottled water industry when I was a young woman, before it became so popular, so I've been aware of this fact for many years and never got too caught up in the craze.


When hubby got home that night, he immediately spied the bottle and wanted to know why on earth I bought not just bottled water, but imported water.  I almost told him I bought it because I thought it would impress people, but thought better of it, so I told him the truth.  I was out and about, and got thirsty.  


Bottled water does sometimes have a function, such as when you're caught away from home without a reusable cup or bottle.  Although I suppose I could just used the drinking fountain; that's what we all did when we were growing up.  But I did justify this purchase by saying it was a very nice bottle, with a handy fliptop cap, and that I would be reusing it.  (Now I don't want to get into the whole debate about plastics, food, and health.  I'll save that for another potential post.)  I had the idea that this bottle would accompany me around town, to the gym and yoga class, and on errands.  Unfortunately, my fliptop broke and the bottle is useless.  Now I realize how silly my purchase really was.


8 comments:

Adrienne Shubin said...

Cherie,

I feel guilty for buying bottled water, too. I always bring a container with me wherever I go, but sometimes I run out. If I do decide to buy a bottle, I buy the biggest one. I get more water and it's cost effective. For some reason, it takes a little of the guilt away if I buy big.

It bugs me when I see those little teeny tiny bottles of water at the store. What is the point of that? Such a waste!

Adrienne

Adrienne said...

We quit with the bottled water a long time ago. For years I refilled a large bottle that had a regular opening. I don't like those sippy tops. Makes me feel like a baby...

And we just dumped our Britta pitcher and just use tap water. So far we haven't died and we're way richer and we have more counter space now.

Shona~ LALA dex press said...

Let's see, dehydration vs. a vary sporadic purchase. We can't be 100%, 100% of the time.

I'm with you on the water in my water.

Fiona Ferris said...

Cherie, I'm like you. I have to be almost dead of thirst before I will buy bottled water. If I do, Evian is my favourite though, it has a really different taste - quite sweet perhaps? It's not like I have it all the time though - I've bought Evian about twice in my life. And if you're going to buy a bottle of water once in a blue moon why not make it French rather than the one bottled down the road.

In addition, if you need more for your husband, way better to buy water than a bottle of gross Coke if you're out and really thirsty. I always imagine my teeth dissolving down my throat when I picture myself swigging on a Coke (funny that image doesn't work on a g&t or a brandy and dry, wonder why).

I love Shona's comment too.

Cherie said...

Shona, you're right. We can't be 100% all the time. We can just do our best.

Fiona, I did explain to my husband that I read if you live on the east coast of the US, it is better for the environment to buy French wine than California wine because there is less fuel used in the process. I suppose the same applies to French water.

Anonymous said...

Your husband sounds like quite an ardent environmentalist. I wonder where he got that? :)

Deanna said...

I gave up bottled water a few years ago and do try to remember to bring water with me when I'm out. However, there are those unexpected times when one is thirsty and bottled water is our best option. The way I look at it, I'm doing so much better than I used to and way better than most people I know that I don't intend to beat myself up over occasional lapses. And I have to agree with Fiona; Evian really does have an especially appealing flavor.

Cherie said...

Deanna, you're right; we shouldn't beat ourselves up when we have occasional lapse.