Made in U.S.A.

[Ian_Lee]

When we talk about how American manufacturing industry is hollowing, I found out that actually I am using of a lot of American products daily which I don't realize.

Moreover, I have used these products for decades -- long before I came to U.S.

Here is the list:

(1) Toothpaste:

Either Colgate or Crest -- I just check the one I use is still made in U.S. No Japanese or Chinese substitute.

(2) Shaver:

Either Schick or Gillette. The one I use is still made in U.S. Also no Japanese or Chinese substitute.

(3) Toothbrush:

Loyal fan of Oral-B. Also no Japanese or Chinese substitute.

(4) Soft drink:

Coke addict myself. Though all Coke are processed in the local plant, strictly speaking it is still made in US since they still keep the secret formula.

(5) Shampoo:

Pantene or Loreal. Have tried Japanese brands like Kao but don't like them. Adn the one in my bathroom is still made in U.S.

(6) Ice Cream:

Dreyers or Haagen Daz. The one in my freezer is still made in U.S. And they have become cheaper and cheaper over the years.

(7) Toilet papers:

If possible, I always carry US-made toilet papers for travel. Toilet papers made in Japan, Europe and China are mostly inferior in quality which can get your fingers yellow.

[phbriggs]

(1) - there are Chinese brands which are okay and contain fluoride. Far cheaper than the mulitnational brands

(2) - possibly right, as most Chinese seemed to have about 1 shave a month at the local barber - cut throad razor.

(3) - again, there are some good Chinese brands, but there also some real shockers (last about two brush uses).

(4) - not a big softdrinker (esp. coke/pepsi), but did notice that a lot of the carbonated drinkks were manufactured by local franchised Pepsi or Coke. You will find that US Coke probably doesn't own the China operations but the multinational parent company is paid royalties for product and brand usage. Did try some of the local drinks and beers which we fine for me.

(5) - Shampoo, again there are some really good Chinese brands which work just as well if not better than the upmarket P&G brands (Pantine, H&S etc). Did find that the Chinese seemed to focus on dandruff shampoos which tend to dry out my hair. Some of the cheaper Chinese brands do work and reasonably well, whist other leave you hair like straw.

(6) - now, to me the Chinese brands are better as they tend to be a little more creative with flavours, textures etc. Not a big ice cream eater but did try and buy things out of the ordinary (eg. pea icecream sticks - possibly not a good example as they aren't the best).

(7) - toilet paper. Some of the Chinese brands made rolled bleached toilet paper which is some of the softest paper I have ever used (and does not leave you fingers yellow). Agree that the typical coloured "sand" toilet paper often available in public conveniences or homes as a lot to be desired. Can't remember the really good Chinese brand (was 19-25RMB for 10 rolls), but if I remember will post it here.

[fenlan]

Shampoo and toothpaste are very small beer in the global economy, particularly if the car manufacturing and shipbuilding industry are being lost.

[phbriggs]

Fenlan is correct. It is more about TVs and textiles rather than small consumables.

[Ian_Lee]

I have to differ.

Small consumables like Coke yield much more profit than heavy industry like ship building.

And regarding toothpaste, I don't know if anybody has the same experience with me: Once you get used to that brand, it is awfully hard to switch even though the competitive brand is much cheaper.

When I was a toddler in 1950s, my whole family already got addicted to Colgate. By that time, Colgate got two different sources of production (either made in U.S. or U.K.). We were already so prickly that we would only buy US-Colgate.

And by that time, the price of a Colgate toothpaste could get you into a nice restaurant for a full meal!

Other US products that I got addicted to is bed mattress -- either Simmon or Sealy. I have not checked if it is made in China. But judged from the upward price trend in recent years of Simmon and Sealy product, it doesn't seem so.

[phbriggs]

Once you get used to that brand, it is awfully hard to switch even though the competitive brand is much cheaper.

I like to live a little and try new things. Just think of the flavours you are missing out on....here is a few for example

strawberry

citrus

lemon

bamboo

tea

apricot

chocolate

fruit salad

The citrus and lemon were okay as they leave the mouth feeling fresh and clean. Tea and Bamboo...well okay after you get used to it. Others could not get used to as it was a funny taste in the mouth first thing in the morning.

[geraldc]

I guess I'm the opposite, when I go to HK I like to try the stuff you don't get in the west.

I actually find trips to Park n Shop and Watsons fun.

1. Toothpaste, Darlie, the worlds most politically incorrect toothpaste ever. While other brands concentrate on flouride protection, tartar control, tooth whitening, why not go for the brand that features a black man in a top hat.

2. Shaver, don't need to shave, but I can pull hairs out one by one with a tweezer like they do on the mainland, can't do it just using 2 coins though....

3. Toothbrush, just buy any cheap one

4. Soft drinks, I just try all the flavours that you don't see in the UK anymore, Sarsi, Cream Soda etc

5. Shampoo, Rejoice, after years of watching Michael Chang advertise the stuff I did have to try it. No dandruff, but I'm still just as bad at tennis.

6. Ice cream, whatever they have in 7/11 or Circle K that I've never seen before. Last time it was Afro Ken ice cream.

7. Can't say I really notice TP that much...

[skylee]

沙示 ... 沙示 ... 沙示 ... 沙示 ... 邊個都中意，係夠勁啲 ...

I like Watson's Sarsae.

[beirne]

Toothpaste, Darlie, the worlds most politically incorrect toothpaste ever. While other brands concentrate on flouride protection, tartar control, tooth whitening, why not go for the brand that features a black man in a top hat.

They used to provide it at a Chinese motel I stayed at in the Los Angeles area. I had heard of the toothpaste before under its old name of Darkie toothpaste. Seeing it in the hotel was one of those times where being able to read some Chinese came in handy because while the tube said Darlie in English the Chinese said 黑人. Someone must have realized that Darlie wasn't a whole lot better than the old name because when I went there the last time it was replaced by Green Man toothpaste, with no caricatures.

[fenlan]

And regarding toothpaste, I don't know if anybody has the same experience with me: Once you get used to that brand, it is awfully hard to switch even though the competitive brand is much cheaper.

I think, Ian Lee, that this is a very good reason to leave the United States and see a bit of the world. When you come back from China, you won't be worrying about nugatory matters, such as the exact brand of toothpaste you use.

[geraldc]

I think Ian's point was he developed the taste for US brands when in HK.

I always find cigarette choice funny, in HK and China, State Express 555 is still really big. You can't even buy that brand in the UK anymore even though the packaging states it's from London.